I got surgery to hear | Getting a Cochlear Implant [CC] 

As an audiologist, thank you for making this video! Honestly, most cochlear implant activations are like this, but we only see the 1 in a 100 activations where people just hear fine! This is a much more realistic video of what cochlear implant activations are like. It is a long and difficult journey for a lot of users, and people need to understand that so thanks!

I think so many hearing people are used to “inspiration porn” where it’s turned on and it’s like this omg moment and the person can suddenly hear. I really appreciate you sharing your experience and that it’s a journey

Thanks for translating into spoken English too, for those of us who are not cool enough to know ASL. The shoe is on the other foot for once!

I honestly wish kids would learn basic signs language in school. I personally don't know anyone with hearing problems but I can imagine how hard it would be to communicate with people.

My best friend has a cochlear implant. Lol anytime people annoy her she just turns it off and says her battery needs to charge 😂💯 even if its fine. Lolol 🖤🖤🖤🖤🤘 so happy you were able to get this procedure! 🖤

I totally relate about the being overwhelmed and overstimulated..I've had my hearing back for awhile now and sometimes to say the truth, I wish my hearing would leave again sometimes..I'm so grateful but it's just a scary loud world

how does somebody look so cute and put together immediately after surgery wtf

I’m so disappointed that people working with cochlear recipients don’t know sign :(

I remember about 3 years ago, I was around 11? I went to summer camp, and there was this boy, with something like this. Everyone thought he was really cute, but when he said he needed that thing, and he said he was deaf, people got turned off by it and left him alone with his mom. Me being the nice person I am, I didn’t know what it was or what it did, but I wanted to make him feel like he fit in with the others. So that’s what I did! I spent almost all of camp with him, all 5 days of camp, he slept in this special bunk house with his mom, and she offered me to go and stay in with them, so I took it. We stayed up pretty late, played uno, and had a lot of fun! I haven’t seen the boy since, until a few days ago, I was out and about the city with my mom, I was actually in the mall, and I saw him, I saw the boy! He was even cuter now, also just to say this boy is year older than me. He is 15 now. He still had that hearing thing, and he looked so positive! I went up to him and he knew me right away, his mom took a minutes to figure it out but ya know that’s alright. Now I have his snap and we have been talking! Now he has a few more friends as society has changed a lot the past few years, but he is still bullied. And he properly thanked me for that camp experience seeing I was the only one who would hangout with him. Honestly he is super kind, and I hope people don’t look at people who are deaf, like they are aliens or something, because they are just human, they are just people, no different from the rest, they deserve to be treated equally as well as everyone else. So yeah that’s my story, I hope you guys can do this too! Make them feel welcomed, make them feel like they have someone to rely on. And thank you Mason, the boy who I met at summer camp, you opened up my mind, and showed me the real you, the you that is kind and sweet to people, even if they aren’t to you. You inspire me, just want you to know that I’m here for you, as well as all deaf people💜 I rest my case, equality is supposed to be a thing, so be it.

"It sounds like Aliens Chirping". As an autistic with sensory sensitivity issues of which sound is one of the worst, I have to say, 'aliens chirping' is probably the most accurate description I'm ever heard of the sound human beings produce. I'm kind of jealous you can selectively turn it of.

Oh my gosh she's so dang cute! Her smile and her eyes, she's the prettiest.

I like that you added that it isn't just "magic" when you turn them on. It's nice to see those videos when someone can hear their loved ones for the first time and everyone cries, but sometimes that's not how it works. My mom could understand me when I talked, but she couldn't differentiate voices for months. It's just overstimulation and how she said "monotone kermit the frog" voices. I loved hearing your take on it. I hope everything has been working well for you!

off-topic but her hair fits so well with her- it’s so prETTY. I can’t relate lmao

chrissystillcanthearyou, I just got a thingy...

I wish ASL could be taught in school just like Spanish and French are ( at least around here it's taught in HS)

I was lucky enough to get coclears at a young age (3-4). I wasn’t born deaf but at 18 months i started losing my hearing rapidly and hearing aids were already not an option when i was 2. I do get headaches often from them and my bad vision but other than that coclears really help. There is tons of accessories that can help adhere to your lifestyle. For example, i use a mini mic so my teacher’s voice is streamed directly to my coclears. Its truly a miracle for me. Thanks for whoever spends the time to read this.

Came from tiktok. Sincerely interested in this journey ❤ thank you for sharing

I cant imagine what it is like to have to take your glasses off when you're deaf and rely on sign language. It's bad enough for me when it removes my clarity of vision but for you it removes your ability to communicate as well

I just don’t understand how people can work with deaf people for a living and not learn ASL

I LOVE that as a hearing person, I have to turn on subtitles to hear you speak. That is a clever way to help us understand what it's like for you to consume content without subtitles. I was grateful you'd done the work needed to help me understand, and that was a good lesson to me as a creator who doesn't always do subtitles. Lesson learned! Thank you!

I've been pondering whether to get a cochlear implant or not, and your video really helped me sort out my feelings. I'd had an initial discussion with an audiologist about it, and none of the downsides had been mentioned. This was really enlightening. Also, watching several of your videos over the last few days has helped me move to a place of self-acceptance about being HOH. I really appreciate that. I'm going to move forward and learn ASL now.

I'm not Deaf but I have audio processing issues and use captions, and ASL in my daily life. I love that you advocate for ASL, and that you were honest in your video about CI and didn't make it inspiration porn

You’re an absolute badass. Like wearing makeup to get a surgery, let alone having a surgery. Ugh an absolute queen. You’re the type of put together I wish I was! thank you so much for sharing your journey!

I just had my hearing aids turned on this week, and I felt overwhelmed, too for the first few days. One does not realize how much I miss without hearing water running or the coffee maker for instance. I wish you the best of luck, and congratulations on the new gear.

“If you have to sneeze or cough, do it with your mouth open” the looks people would give you if you did that now days😭

I was really under the impression that cochlear implants and hearing aids restored hearing completely, like with perfect clarity and everything.

I’m a therapist in a cochlea implant centre and I am so grateful for my job, that I am able help bringing hearing back for people who have lost it. Especially seeing children growing up and learning to talk who where born deaf.

Thank you for sharing this!!! I feel like the cochlear assumption is so often that getting means you will hear everything and leave the deaf community and never sign again. The way you did it is far more realistic and practical. Also thank you for sharing your journey! I have never seen the whole process before.

You're so super strong!

I used to babysit my neighbours kid up until this year he went to school. He had a cochlear put in when he was 3 we used a lot of basic sign (mainly colors) to communicate and the change I've seen with him speaking and learning new words is huge!

This is an amazing video Chrissy. The quality, the story, the voice over, the videography, everything. I feel like this could win an ward for indie films/documentary. It's so beautifully crafted and helps hearing-abled folks like me better understand you and your community. This is amazing, you are amazing! 💕

This is so interesting! I grew up with a deaf sister who’s really proud of being deaf and has never been interested in a cochlear. I’ve never really met a deaf adult who’s gotten the cochlear! I appreciate being able to see your experience.

I can’t get over HOW PRETTY SHE IS OMG💕💕

As a receiver of the cochlear implant, the future of cochlear implants are awesome. I have one myself even the same processor you have, except black. The Bluetooth feature on the latest ones are a LIFESAVER. I used to have one without Bluetooth and phones were difficult for me before I had the Bluetooth upgrade. Welcome to the family!

ASL is such a beautiful language! I love how it’s not only signing with your hands but they also use facial expression and body language.

There is a girl (21) that works for my parents that has been deaf since 2011 and she got these too. It is quite amazing. By here self she learnt how to read lips and she talked very well for someone that could not hear at all. People could have normal conversations with her as long as you don’t speak too fast.

Hopefully now you can hear us scream at you. Telling you how beautiful and creative you are.

I WISH sign language was taught at school to everyone, not only will it make society more inclusive but it's also just a cool extra and different way of communicating

I remember when I was in middle school, I read a webtoon in Korean by a deaf artist talking about her experiences. she also had a cochlear implant at one point, but eventually decided that they were not for her. it was several episodes long but the general message was that she is living her life at its fullest even without having to hear, and to her that was perfectly fine. I still go back to read that webtoon from time to time. thank you for sharing your experience, it always means a lot to be able to educate myself as a hearing person whose understanding on these topics are limited.

I would love it if they'd taught everyone sign language in school. Just imagine the adhd kids doing extremely fast signing (like they're speaking french) and when some kids are overstimulated (like when they have autism) they could sign how they'd feel instead of saying the words. For some people (like me) stress can really close that throat, so learning sign language even to say that you're not okay could help a lot of people. (And also less noisy)

Thank you so much for sharing your story. And you shouldn't have any guilt for not loving hearing it's an entire change of life it's extremely difficult to get a new stimulation! You are so brave!

Why doesn't the person who is testing her knows ASL? Isn't that weird..

From someone who works in the hearing healthcare industry, I thank you for sharing this beautiful experience with all of us

Thanks for sharing this story. I’m part of the disability community and have sensory issues, but am not deaf or classically hearing impaired. You always hear so much positive and negative about cochlear implants. This was very helpful to watch and to see your experience.

the narration scene with just you signing with trees behind you, the scenery is perfect with good lighting, so professional, i just had to keep watching, i myself am partially deaf in my left ear due to a car accident, its like white noise but some times a low hum

Honestly, she is so pretty. And so brave,, I can’t imagine getting that kind of implant. ❤️

Glad to see that, wish you all the best. I already did the CI surgery almost 3 years ago. Its not what I expected ( a bit dissapointed) cause I wasnt born deaf and for that reason I remember whats the real sensation of hear but I dont regret doing the surgery. I enjoy hearing music and it helps me a lot in many situations. Cheers from Brazil!

Beautiful young lady,. I had my cochlear implant put in last year and it was overwhelming to start with but now nearly a year later I am finding it much better. It does take a while for the nerves to adjust to it. Bluetooth works well for me too. Music, haha I am glad I can hear it again after 3 years of no music. I wish you well with your journey with CI. 👍🏻

My grandma got cochlear implants about 5 years ago and she never heard my brothers voice before that and she finally did. They were the best thing that happened to her and our family. I love her so much and I pray for your recovery

For what it's worth, I have strong feelings of solidarity towards you especially in the moments you describe the sensory overload. I'm autistic and have loads of sensory issues especially related to hearing, and the moments in this video where you showed feelings of frustration and tearfulness were moments that strongly resonated strongly with me. I know that being a hearing autistic person and a Deaf allistic person are two different things, but I just wanted you to know that I related to your frustration really strong. One of the reasons I'm actually trying to learn sign online is for moments when I or folks in my community go nonverbal, or need to use earplugs/sound cancelling devices and still communicate. Even though our disabled/differently abled communities aren't the same (assuming you're allistic), what I see in your videos that I identify with is the common ableist thread of disrespect and inaccessibility, and especially the burden of having to self-advocate all the time... Even though I know that the struggles aren't exactly the same, I am a little tearful right now with how much I relate. I don't know if that all made sense, but I just wanted to offer that I feel you, to the extent that I can, and I respect the hell out of you for. Thank you for sharing this journey with us - it means a lot, even to hearing folks like me.

i really want to learn sign language i’m probably going to need it in the future when my hearing gets worse

“The skin on top of my head still feels loose like bubblewrap!” her: the sweetest little nervous smile me in my bed, screaming: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Lmaooo 😭 thank you for sharing your story! This is such an awesome video and you’re such an awesome person!

My daughter has an external cochlear implant. It’s called a baha and it goes on a headband. I’m learning sign with her. She just turned 2.

The deaf community that I belong to generally looks down on getting cochlear implants. not the people that have them, just the implant it's self. so I never really knew in detail what it was like to have a cochlear implant. this video is really cool!

Thank you for sharing. I always thought this was a magical device that gave hearing back, until I met someone who had one. My boss at an old job had one and other than having a distinct accent it seemed he could hear completely. As I worked with him more I realized it was more his skill at lip reading that made it easy to talk to him, he had to remind us from time to time to look at him when he talked.

I’m here from TikTok. I’m sad to see medical professionals who work in that field not know at least some ASL. Thank you for sharing your story it’s an interesting insight into your world view.

Thank you for sharing your journey. I came here from Tiktok. I’m from Australia and My younger brother is gradually loosing his hearing so watching your videos and learning about the deaf community even if yours is in America has been so interesting to watch. My family is hoping to be put in Auslan classes so that we can learn how to communicate better as he looses his hearing. Keep up the good work beautiful 💕

I'm in medical school and this inspired me to learn ASL. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your journey

We're lucky to have you, Chrissy. For what you are, for what you represent.

I was wondering why some of the medical staff dont use ASL

After watching this, I’m just so happy to see that someone got a cochlear implant and ended up so well!! Your story is very inspiring and I think everyone is amazed at how well you can handle things!! Keep being awesome!!

You have such a beautiful voice, and I'm glad you're able to hear it.

If you have ever watched the movie “The sound of Metal” it shows roughly what these may actually sound like. I don’t know if it is 100% accurate but it is neat to see someone actually get this implant.

The doctors spoke directly to her :0 we love that

I am a hearing care professional. We get people in our office all the time who say their lives have been changed for the better by hearing aids and CI implants. Best job ever 🤩🤩🤩🤩

This vid just made me realize the importance of learning sign language, I'm going to start teaching myself through YT starting today! 💓

I am hard of hearing and wear hearing aids, but over the years my hearing will slowly get worst, ive always have been avoiding cochlear implants, mainly because i still want to do combat sports, but I ride a motorbike and it is my passion and my love, who knows, maybe one day i will have to get them. you're amazing and motivating. Keep it up!

i have no words for this. i’m so happy for her that she got the surgery🥺 she deserves the world

I'm so happy I know sign language. Literally the best decision I've ever made.

I found your video talking to Siri in my recommended and then this video and I just wanna say that you’re really pretty and seem super sweet! 😊 I’m also really glad you decided to share this journey with people. Idk much about this kinda stuff and don’t really watch videos about it but this was really nice. I hope everything is still going well!

Your hair is so beautiful and I love the glitter on your ear piece! 💖

This was a really touching video to watch. Your optimism and your willingness to be vulnerable while telling your story is so powerful. Best of luck to you Chrissy.

I appreciate your insight and wish I had found this input sooner. I’m scheduled on the 26th for my surgery I’m excited and nervous but now I have an ideal of what to expect. And don’t have to be nervous about the outcome because I know others are going through it as well.

Amazing video! Thank you for sharing. We see so many “success” stories going viral that hearing people think it’s a magical cure (I used to think it was more foolproof, until I researched and became more educated on the Deaf community) A question if you don’t mind me asking, did your family knowing or not knowing ASL have an influence in you deciding to get the CI? I wish all audiologists who work with CI’s were required to learn sing language

I can’t imagine how happy she was hearing music for the first time.

Looks like a Nucleus 7 to me, As a fellow Deaf Dude, YOU GO GIRL!

My grandmother has an implant. She went deaf in high school and I know things were so hard for her. The implant helped her so much and I’m so thankful I get to speak with her

I remember learning ASL alphabets, numbers and basic signs two years ago but watching this reminded me how much I've forgotten because I dont get to practice it or regularly revisit my lessons but this video inspired me to take ASL up again. In the beginning of college we had a presentation and I took it upon myself to teach my classmates how to spell out their name in ASL and it was such a bonding moment for everyone, I hope I get more opportunities like that again. Also I wish you the very best Chrissy! Its so wonderful to see your journey and staying so strong!

This is why i want to learn sign language so that no one feels weird or i make them sad that i can't understand them

That’s amazing! It’s really interesting to hear (No pun intended) about the experience of the strange transformation of a Cochlear Implant, I use hearing aids myself and I always wondered what the effects of an implant were like. My sister uses one, so I’ve been wondering for quite some time what it was like. Thank you for sharing your story! Stay safe and strong!

I've watched your videos since some time ago, and I think you're like growing as a person I mean like you're having a good personal development (hope it makes sense cause spanish is my first language haha). Wow you're really strong... getting that surgery knowing all the problems that it can cause, thank God it went fine ❤ Also I think that you will not lose you're deaf identity, so IDK I just love you hahaha good vibes ✌ I'm from El Salvador BTW

I wish I knew asl, there's so much that people who are hard of hearing, deaf, or mute have to say and I cant understand any of it. Congrats to you being able to hear again!

dude. you are a living life of confidence and fighting the reality. you make my day and forever whenever i feel low.

Thank you for being so transparent. Im HOH and losing hearing every passing day. Im scared and anxious as to what life will be like as I grew up hearing just fine. Am I too late in life to learn ASL? Is it worth it? I feel like I say, 'huh?' Every five words and it makes people mad. I just feel lost. I appreciate you. So much.

this was in my recommended feed and i am so glad i clicked on it! i learned so much in these 12 minutes! i always thought it will sound kind of like normal sound but like if you speak into a can or sth, like some sort of hollow sounds? not sure how to say... anyways: thank you for explaining how it works for you, what you hear now etc., i think i have a better understanding now :) I'm currently in medical school but n europe, i would love to learn some basic sign language but not sure which one... every country seems to have their own. do you think ASL is used more in the world and it would be beneficial to learn?

pausing the video to vent at the fact that the doctors and nurses involved in this procedure didn't even think ahead/provide you with an interpreter for the whole preop process, wtf were you supposed to do? and why do they seem shocked that you can respond to their questions in your own way?? the karen in me just jumped out

The thing that kept popping up in my head while watching this is “she is so gorgeous and happy”

Thank you Chrissy. I became deaf 4 years ago. I was a musician and music teacher, and a composer. I had a rock band and a folk band and an experimental music workshop. Unfortunately, a misdiagnosed ear infection left me deaf. You can imagine that being a musician and a father, I long with all my soul to hear my children's voices again, to talk with them, to laugh! I miss laughing with people, I was a very happy person. And music was my love, my passion, and I have lost it forever. I also lost my wife, my job, my children and friends. Life took everything from me, except life itself. Today I live like a hamster in a sphere that rolls through the city hitting the sidewalks, a crystal sphere in a sepulchral silence is my life today. I came across your video because I am searching with all my soul for a solution, after 4 years, I still cannot accept that I will never hear again. I am in rebellion, perhaps against life, against God. But I am infinitely grateful that you have documented the whole process and that you expose the truth of how things are. I realize that this is like dentists and dentures. They sell you the idea that you will have your teeth again and everything will be happy. It is not true. You cannot eat well because the plates do not transmit sensations, it is not at all happy. It is a tool, perhaps more aesthetic, frankly a deception. In other words, dentists and surgeons become sellers of a deceptive product. I was considering this surgery, but frankly, I will not do it. The process is overwhelming, invasive and the result only shows the frustration of the doctors who do not get the results they would like and the patient, well, has no choice but to resign himself and hear a thousand times that it will improve with time. Life is already complicated enough for the deaf, this procedure is just an unnecessary trauma. Going deaf at a stage in your life where you already had everything and losing it is catastrophic, starting over is possible, but being deaf is three times more difficult. Thank you for your courage and for showing the truth instead of pretending that everything is fine. P.S You are a beautiful woman Chrissy.

2:25 Plus one? 2:44 When working with an interpreter, you should always address the person him-/herself. This is also true for interpreting between vocal languages.

I was born deaf in my left ear . (don't know the cause of hearing loss we looked with a MRI ) I was 9 when I got my first hearing aid after taking hearing tests at school. When I first got the hearing aid I cried because I said to my mom that I can hear her say I love you now. Then on the way home driving I hear the noise of the road. Like the street from a moving car. Plus I heard the radio for the first time ! I didn't know we can have music in the car ! . it does sound very very robotic at first. I describe it as a intercom being played inside a large public bathroom where it kinda echos and not clear voices. As for Withought a hearing aid it sounds just as if you had a pillow over your ears. I been debating the implant because my hearing aids just make noise louder. And not more clear. So for me it amplifies noise that still sounds muffled. The downfall would be I can't have ear buds in anymore or headsets and you have to change the implant battery every like 3 days . which adds up. So I haven't worn my hearing aid for awhile. I can't have it on when I am out and about at a mall. Of movie theater. I couldn't have it on at work because the noise of a indutrial dishwasher and vacuum kills the hearing aid. And shutts off for a bit due to too much feedback in the mics . basically it's only nice for certain occasions. Otherwise it's way to overwhelming of chaos noise

Your dress in the beginning is so pretty and goes great with your hair! As for the CI, I am happy that it is starting to be helpful in the way you wanted. Historically, I’ve been pretty strongly against implants. However, your description of your thought process and narration of your experience is far and away the best, most balanced discussion of the topic I’ve ever encountered. Amd, in just a short time, it’s forced me to reconsider some aspects of that position. I’m glad to hear that, first and foremost, you (still) consider yourself to be Deaf and that you are keeping everything in perspective. Also, the simple fact that you were openly sharing certain fears and pressures that you felt during the process speaks volumes about your confidence. That part of the story is rarely told with such honesty. Props to the nurse in the dark blue scrubs around the five minute mark. She clearly worked to make appropriate eye contact and seemed to be the most respectful of you as a person. Although it’s all too familiar, the assistant helping to prep for the surgery didn’t get the memo at all. For something so important as this surgery, or any surgery, her behavior and attitude were hard to watch. She may be a nice person, but she has some learning to do. Anyway, things seem to be going in a very good direction for you and I hope they continue in the same vein!

You are so special, if you are deaf, doesn't mean that you are anyway different from others. If there are people that bully you, don't think about it and think positive thoughts and you can do it!

I just had tympanomastoidectomy which was three hours of removing scar tissue from my middle ear and putting a skin graph on my eardrum. this is my third surgery in less than 5 years and each time hearing is worse and worse. The implant may be my only option to have some hearing on the left side.

I wish there was a group for my disability. It's really lonely when there is nobody who knows your struggle.

I always wondered what it sounded like. I know my asl teacher has storied of friend getting angry or absolutely hating it. And I always heard that its not like real noises. But interesting that it sounds like chirping. Thank you for sharing your journey. The good and the bad.

Thank you for explaining the whole process of learning how to recognize the new sounds that are coming through the implant... I am a retired ASL certified Interpreter and almost 70 years old and noticing the early stages of presbycusia (the tiny bones in the middle ear fuse and don't vibrate well) . I keep hearing from peers (that would be successful with a regular hearing aid) wanting to jump directly to an implant, thinking it's a simple surgery, they activate the implant and it's all good...then are miserable because what the hear is different than what they used to hear. Keep advocating for yourself and for sharing the truth of the reality of a cochlear implant.

I saw this amazing movie where guy in a metal band went deaf and went to this awesome deaf center and learned sign language and found a great group but he wanted his life back, so I he got the implants. They edited throughout the whole movie what he was hearing and when he got the implants… oh my it was not nice sounds- i can’t image. The movies ending was beautiful. He turned the off and finallly just sat still. So beautiful to film this and let people know this is a tool but it’s never the same nor a preferred method to hear.

Now it’s gonna be *ChrissyCANhearyou* 💃🕺✨

The title and the side effects seems so serious (not saying it isn't), meanwhile in Sweden, I think it's much more common to get CC? I studied Swedish sign for two years in high school and I never heard about it being much of a risk? One of my close friend at the time had it and barely talked about it?? The only ones that seemed to not have it was the ones born death and just haven't never heard before and that could be hard for them but the culture of "I don't want to be able to hear!" just don't seems to take place here.

Hey Chrissy! You haven’t posted in 3 months and I miss youuuu ❤️❤️❤️