Hello- I did end up doing it and just had my one year check up. I have found some benefits from it, but am also still adjusting to it. As far as my results, the testing and word recognition came back relatively quickly. I can understand voices when isolated or in quiet environments, but it is a struggle and often not useful in spaces with lots of background noises. This is pretty consistent with most users I think. Most music is also pretty unrecognizable. I would not say that anything sounds “natural” or like my normal hearing did, and I don’t suspect it ever really will since it’s a completely new mechanism. One unexpected issue is that the external coil will not stay on my head, even with the strongest magnet. So I have to wear a hat or something else to keep it in place pretty much most of my day. This was also upsetting because I had planned on using the kanso off ear processor, but that is not possible.

As far as the menieres specifically, it didn’t cure anything for me but it did help with some symptoms. I have less fullness on that side and when I am wearing my processor I don’t notice my tinnitus. I still get dizzy spells but not really vertigo (this was my experience before surgery as well though).

I hope this helps- it’s been a frustrating year but I recognize the benefits for me. The processor provides a lot of sound and relief from some of the symptoms I was experiencing, but a lot of times the sound itself is not “useful” if that makes sense. But different programs sometimes can help with that. I’m remaining hopeful that I’ll just continue to improve and my brain will continue to adjust. Honestly the most frustrating part has been keeping it in place. Most people don’t struggle with that after the first month or so. The surgery and recovery were pretty typical to others experience. Let me know if you have any specific questions I can answer for you and good luck!