Carrie's cochlear implant

My name is Carrie, and I am a 42-year-old, wife, mother, and Primary Teacher from Lanarkshire. My hearing loss issues began during my first pregnancy in 2014. Initially, I only noticed high pitched tinnitus, rather than changes to my hearing, however family members encouraged me to visit my GP to raise this issue. Whilst still in total denial, I was referred to an ENT department who confirmed Otospongiosis – a bilateral congenital condition which mixed both conductive and sensory loss – this meant very little to me at the time. After a minor investigation, I was issued with one hearing aid and largely left to it. I had MANY questions, however these remained unaddressed for years.

During the years that followed, my hearing continued to worsen, steadily at first, then much more noticeably until I was firmly in the ‘profound’ margin for hearing loss. I was issued with a second hearing aid as a support. Each time I raised concerns, hearing aids were turned up, then upgraded to more powerful aids until I was at the end of the road with what audiologists were able to provide.

Faced with profound deafness in a career that largely relies on hearing well, I had reached a devastating impasse where I felt there was no way forward. I was struggling hugely at work, and although I was studying at university to support career progression, it seemed that this may be futile, given the impact hearing loss was inflicting on my ability to cope within my chosen profession. My condition had taken my hearing and with it my confidence and sense of self.

In 2024, during a routine hearing appointment, a fantastic audiologist took the time to listen to my growing concerns around my hearing and suggested a referral to the Cochlear Implant Service. Although I had been told many times previously that there was ‘nothing else that could be done’, I jumped at this opportunity, although I did remain sceptical of a positive outcome being reached.

An appointment at Crosshouse was swiftly arranged, but by this point I was relying on family members to attend appointments with me in order to support my hearing. Although I was nervous, I was instantly put at ease by the team. It was the first time I really felt that medical professionals understood the challenges faced by this level of hearing loss, and they instantly seemed willing to try to help. The assessment stages were manageable, and although lengthy, it gave me confidence that suitability for a CI was being thoroughly investigated to ensure the most positive outcome. In March 2025, I met with the team once more and was told I was a suitable candidate, and I wept! Tears of relief. I understood fully the risks involved and the challenges that I would face, but I trusted the team and the process entirely.

The surgery and recovery went smoothly, and on activation day – more tears! I was able to unscramble words amongst the sounds, and although the words sounded like they were coming thought static interference at first, they were distinguishable. It took time to adjust in the early days, mainly because I was hearing things that I had forgotten even made a sound! The river at our house, trolley wheels at the supermarket, and by far the most emotional moment was hearing the sound of my horse’s hooves for the first time as we walked along the road. That said, hearing was exhausting at first. Time was spent constantly asking, ‘What’s that?’, but it settled as I quickly realised that the more I listened, the easier it became.

I am currently 5 months post activation, and the experience has been completely life changing. I can hear my kids chat (and cheek!), have conversations with my husband, family and friends, and have returned to work with the full intention of ambitiously chasing those promotions that had once begun to fade. Having the CI surgery has felt like watching as my life is being resuscitated. No regrets, just determination to work hard to make the most of this opportunity that I’ve been gifted. I am forever in the debt of the team and medical science!