Hearing Spanglish

HEARING SPANGLISH

My Cochlear Implant Journey with Carrie Spangler

One Step, One Ear at a Time

Beige running shoes with black accent. A cochlear implant and hearing aid hanging off the side of the shoe

Five years after receiving my first cochlear implant, I’m preparing to take the next step toward going bilateral. Even as an audiologist, I still carry the “what ifs” — what if I lose my residual hearing, what if the sound doesn’t sync, what if I don’t adjust? But this journey isn’t about perfection — it’s about growth. And like any marathon, it’s one step at a time. I’m ready to keep moving forward.

Moving Forward: Preparing for Side 2 of My Cochlear Implant Journey

Photo of a goniatite Ammonite fossil that is black and white in color also resembles a cochlea

Preparing for my second cochlear implant has been a journey marked by reflection, trust, and growth. From candidacy testing to setting a surgery date, I’m moving forward—supported by a trusted care team and reminded, even by a fossil on vacation, that transformation takes time.