This group is aimed at all cochlear implant users; who live in the UK. People who have been implanted to share their first-hand experiences; to help others. This group is also welcome to people who are waiting to be implanted or thinking about having a cochlear implant.
This group is aimed at all CI users or prospective implantees who have or about to have a CI within the UK only, and CI users in European countries who use the CI resources in the UK and their language is English.
As a CI user myself,I have been implanted with Med-El - Combi C40+ since Sept 2001 (for 8 years). Using the Tempo+ BTE processor, I know from first hand experience, how isolating and difficult it can be to find information first hand, from people who have had a Cochlear Implant and made the journey to getting a CI, plus post implant as everyone is different; and we can provide support, reasurance to those who need it.
For me - it was not an easy journey, as I made a transition from being a v good hearing aid user to a CI user. Also, I have had experienced a CI failure in Sept 2006, but having sucessfully been re-implanted by Med-El with their latest technology; the Pulsar CI 100 - I don't regret it at all. Having a CI is the best thing I've done, although it did take me a long time to realise this. In March 2007, I was upgraded to the latest processor - the OPUS2 BTE (Med-El).
I feel we need some kind of support network, where all CI users can comunicate with each other - for advice, support or even friendship - as we all have been or about to join the same boat. We can offer a realistic, honest and informative views of having CI's.