Hear Again: Back to Life with a Cochlear Implant

by Arlene Romoff

"This is a wonderful book for audiolgists, audiology students and for people
interested in hearing loss and cochlear implants. Ms Romoff is able to describe the issues related to not hearing and to learning to hear again. It is a wonderfully inspirational story that should be a must for every audiologist and physician working with families affected by hearing loss." --Jane R. Madell, PhD, Director, Hearing and Learning Center, Beth Israel Medical Center and Professor, Clinical Otolaryngology

".a great pleasure.Arlene's perspicacity, sensitivity, and shining good humor come through on each page.the doors of your perception open."--Karen and Gene Wilder.

".will enrich the lives of many."--Richard Herring, director, New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

"I certainly don't take my hearing for granted anymore, and I have an even deeper sensitivity to people with hearing losses in social situations."--Lisa Carling, director, Theatre Development Fund, Theatre Access Project.

"I have learned.what it is like to lose one's hearing and then regain some of it."--Mardie Younglof, CI user and associate editor, CONTACT, the publication of Cochlear Implant Club International.

It's a medical miracle--and a story that will inspire you, touch you, and perhaps even change your own life (or the life of one you love). Arlene Romanoff began losing her hearing when she was just twenty and started a slow descent into deafness. No cause could be found; no known cure existed. She struggled to function, using hearing aids and reading lips. But, just as soon as she gained a coping skill or a new piece of equipment, her hearing would worsen again, leaving her back at the beginning. Finally, nothing at all she had become profoundly deaf. Her salvation lay in the most cutting-edge a surgically implanted cochlear implant, with computer chip and magnet. Once attached to an external device that stimulates the auditory nerve.hearing is possible once again. Here is the amazing diary of her experiences, shared with family, friends, and colleagues. It will let you know--probably for the first time--what life is like without sound.and how it feels to join the hearing world once again.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1999

Reviews

[cochlearimplantHELP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Arlene Romoff’s book before deciding to have cochlear implant surgery. I was delighted with her matter of fact, candid, humorous, and personal diary of everyday events and the personal struggle she has gone through with a hearing loss.

Like with anything else in life we are all individuals and one person’s cochlear implant journey will not be like any other. Arlene’s book inspired me to make this journey for myself with no expectations and just a nervous hope that I might do as well. I am happy to say that I have surpassed my wildest dreams, and hearing my daughter’s voice for the first time ever made it all worthwhile.

This book is a must read for anyone considering cochlear implant surgery. Arlene’s journey to hearing again with a CI shows how the process works, how slow it might be, what obstacles you might face and gives real honest hope to anyone suffering from a severe hearing loss.

-Deb McClendon

[Mindy Torman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in the beginning of my cochlear journey (surgery coming soon) and wanted to get as much info as I could. Little did I know that her hearing (or lack thereof) story was going to relate so much to my story. I cried a bit, I’ve never known anyone to understand what it’s like in a deaf world, it was nice to nod my head in agreement with everything! It was also a great read for encouragement and hope with CIs. Her story gave me so much hope for my own future. I know it will be work, but worth it. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this book.

[Sarah Loft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful, helpful and intriguing. Thank you Arlene for sharing your journey.

[Carol Craig]

I am in the process of being assessed for a cochlear implant, Arlene has given me good insight in to what to expect. She writes of her experience in a very positive way but still conveys the frustrations and hard work of managing to make the process successful. She also talks about the isolation that comes with being deaf. I read a quote by someone that says isolation is worse than death. It is so true. Arlene brings it all forward. This book is a must read for all people, (professionals, family members, friends, and the deaf or hard of hearing) . Cochlear implants have come a long way since Arlene had her first implant but the process hasn't changed. I will donate my copies of Arlene's books to my assessment Center, if they don't have copies.

[Jbgreendawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a little bit out dated in the implants and sound processors they have today are different (smaller better) but, this book gives you a pretty good idea of what it is like to have an cochlear implant to hear again on an day-to day basis type thing.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the first chapter only of this book and already have been in tears. First of understanding of what this woman is talking about with hearing loss, second, because I was so happy for her that her implant was successful....can't wait to keep reading.