Sienna, Pediatric Cochlear Implant Review

Sienna is an active participant in a post-approval study on cochlear implantation in cases of unilateral or asymmetric hearing loss. She is in middle school, enjoys cheerleading, and is a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Below is her story in her own words:

“I noticed a change in the hearing of my right ear in early 2020. The progressive hearing loss, likely due to severe and recurrent ear infections, ultimately resulted in a single-sided deafness (SSD) diagnosis in November 2021. I was given an option shortly after to participate in a research study of children with SSD documenting the impact of cochlear implantation. I decided to participate in the study and proceed with surgery as it gave me the best options for dual pathway hearing. I was implanted January 2022 and activated a month later. Once the device was activated and calibrated I gained the ability to hear from my right ear’s pathway again. It has been a slow journey to learn to use my device, however, gaining the ability to hear again is life-changing. Dr. Park and Dr. Brown were very supportive in this cochlear journey. The cochlear implant helped my hearing significantly improve particularly when I’m in loud spaces like the classroom or working in groups. I will always be thankful for the scientific advancements that can bring hearing access to people like me and give me the platform for a brighter future.”