WOW MOMENTS

The Amazing Things a Bilateral Cochlear Implant Recipient Can Now Hear

Paul McRae, 72, began dealing with hearing loss more than 60 years ago.

As a third grader, his school recommended enrollment in an educational program that specializes in serving deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Over the next two years, he learned sign language and lip reading in addition to his standard classwork. Paul was heavily dependent on his lip-reading skills throughout college and his career. He was not fitted for hearing aids until he was in his early thirties.

“My hearing loss had always limited me from participating socially,” he recalled. “Sadly, even with my hearing aids, I still had difficulty keeping up with conversations.”

In 2016, Paul retired from his role as chemistry lab supervisor at PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital and decided it was time for a change. He went to see William Slattery MD, PIH Health ear surgeon, to upgrade his hearing aids, but Dr. Slattery had a better solution—bilateral cochlear implants.

“Cochlear implants can restore hearing for those with severe or prolonged hearing loss and who have limited benefit from hearing aids,” said Dr. Slattery. “Paul was a perfect candidate.”

In December 2018, Paul had his first cochlear implant in his left ear. After activation a month later, his hearing was tested by having his wife speak with her mouth covered. Paul was able to hear every word. Rehabilitation and learning to hear again improved over the next several months.

“It was wonderful to be able to understand my wife without the constant repeating,” he said.

In June 2022, he returned to PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital for a cochlear implant in his right ear, and continues his rehabilitation by listening to podcasts, audiobooks and music.

Today, Paul is far less dependent on lip-reading or visual cues. Every day, he’s surprised and delighted by the sounds around him—he never knew his wife of 49 years whistled while she cooked, never heard the stories his granddaughter told as she played and never fully enjoyed the sounds of nature while golfing. That’s all changed.

“All these WOW moments keep coming,” he exclaimed. “I can finally feel connected to my family, friends, colleagues and the world around me, all because I can hear.”

To learn more about Cochlear Implant Technology, visit HouseClinic.com or visit PIHHealth.org/ENT