This page is about two things: records and oversight.

In my cochlear implant journey, getting complete records and device information was almost as hard as dealing with the symptoms. I’m not a lawyer or expert—just a patient who had to fight for her own paperwork. I’m sharing what I did so others know what questions to ask.

Why Records Matter

Your medical records are the written version of your story. They affect how other providers see you, what gets believed, and what gets ignored. In my case, not all of my symptoms were documented, and there were delays in getting important reports.

Keeping copies of your notes, test results, and messages can help you see patterns over time and give you something solid to point to if you ever need a second opinion or have to explain your history.

What I Learned About My Records

After my implant and explant, I requested records from different providers and the implant company. I learned that:

  • not everything I said was written down the way I experienced it
  • important documents, like the device analysis, could exist for months before I actually received them
  • I had to follow up more than once to get complete copies

These experiences are what led me to start tracking dates, saving emails, and keeping my own timeline.

Oversight: Where I Reported My Concerns

When I realized how much had happened with my implant, my symptoms, and my records, I decided to report my experience to oversight agencies. I filed a report with the FDA (about the device and what was discovered at explant) and a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) (about delays and difficulties in getting information and records).

I can’t tell anyone else whether they should file a complaint. I can only say that, for me, it was one way to make sure what happened didn’t stay

This website reflects my personal experience… not medical or legal advice