Life With Bionic Ears: Irem’s Story

16-year-old CI user Irem from Turkey got her first cochlear implant when she was only 13 months old. Her second CI followed at the age of 9. In this article, Irem tells us all about her experience with bilateral cochlear implants, what challenges she had to overcome, and what she thinks of her decision today.

Hello! My name is Irem, and I am a 16-year-old student from Turkey. I’ve been a bilateral cochlear implant user for 15 years now. Thanks to my “bionic ears,” I’m able to live my life fully, enjoy the world of sound, and pursue the things I’m most passionate about, like writing stories, reading books, and immersing myself in theater and cinema.

But while my implants have added so much to my life, the journey hasn’t always been easy. There have been challenges, but I’ve learned to overcome them and turn obstacles into opportunities. Today, I’d like to share my story with you.

Growing Up With Hearing Loss

My hearing journey started when I was just 13 months old. That’s when I had my first cochlear implant surgery on my left ear. Since I don’t have any memories of that time, I’ll tell you about my second surgery when I was 9 years old—an experience I remember clearly.

One day, my mom asked me if I’d like to hear better with both ears. I immediately said yes! I was so excited about the idea of hearing in my other ear, and soon after, I had the surgery. The whole day felt like an adventure. I still remember holding the nurse’s hand, walking into the operating room, and watching the doctor count down on his fingers as I drifted off to sleep.

After the surgery, I had a big bandage on my head, but I didn’t care—I was so happy about my decision.

Activating the Second CI

A few weeks later, when it was time to activate my new cochlear implant, my excitement peaked. However, I quickly realized that hearing with a second implant wouldn’t be as simple as switching it on.

The noises I heard at the beginning were overwhelming—everything felt too loud, too shrill, and too unfamiliar. I cried because of how intense it all felt, but deep down, I knew it would get better. My mom and I practiced hearing every day, and gradually, the sounds started to make sense. Over time, I was able to understand speech more clearly, and even though it was hard at first, my patience paid off.

Hearing With Two Cochlear Implants

Having two cochlear implants has completely transformed my hearing experience. The way the two devices work together is fascinating. They each have their own strengths:

My left implant helps me hear very clearly, but the sound doesn’t feel as full.
My right implant gives me fuller, louder sound, but speech can be harder to understand.
Together, though, they complement each other perfectly! It’s like two people with slightly different voices saying the same thing at the same time. When both of my implants are on, I don’t feel like anything is missing—I can enjoy the richness and variety of sound.

The Advantages of Life With Cochlear Implants

Having cochlear implants has given me so much freedom and flexibility:

On days when the world feels too noisy, I can take off my RONDO 3 audio processors and enjoy some peace and quiet during my listening breaks.
During school exams, I can turn off the devices to block out the distractions.
When the volume is too low, I can simply adjust it with my remote control.
At night, I sleep peacefully without hearing any sounds, but when I wake up in the morning and turn my processors back on, it’s like the world comes alive again.
One of my favorite tools is my AudioLink device. It helps me in so many ways—it minimizes background noise so I can communicate in loud environments, and I use it to stream music directly to my implants. Listening to music this way feels like being in a concert hall!

Overcoming Stereotypes About Cochlear Implants

One thing I’ve learned is that many people don’t understand what it’s like to wear cochlear implants. Some confuse my devices for hair clips or patterned accessories because of the colorful covers I use.

I’ve even had moments where people were rude or dismissive because I didn’t hear them clearly. One time at a bookstore, a cashier impatiently blurted out, “Are you deaf or something?” I confidently replied, “Yes, I am deaf,” and I loved their shocked reaction.

Finding Strength Through My Devices

In the past, I often felt left out at school. Some classmates would brush me off, saying, “Never mind,” when I didn’t understand something. It made me feel like an outsider. Today, I’m grateful to have friends and family who are kind, understanding, and never make me feel different.

My implants have taught me the value of patience, persistence, and surrounding myself with people who truly care.

Irem

CI user from Turkey

Moments like these remind me of the importance of educating people about cochlear implants and hearing loss. I love explaining how my devices work and showing people that hearing with implants is an amazing experience—one I wouldn’t trade for anything.

My cochlear implants are more than just tools—they’re part of who I am. They’ve empowered me to overcome challenges and embrace the things that make me different.

Looking Ahead

When I think about the future, I’m filled with excitement. I dream of working in cinema or storytelling, using my creativity to inspire others.

My cochlear implants have given me the confidence to believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

My message to others with hearing loss? Don’t let fear hold you back. Yes, the journey might be challenging at times, but the world of sound is worth every step you take to get there.

Hearing with my cochlear implants is truly a gift. Every sound I hear reminds me of how far I’ve come on this journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Thank you, Irem!