Ever wondered what it would be like to have an MRI with the HiRes Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant? @cihighfive shares a first-hand report:
On May 10th I was re-implanted with the latest Advanced Bionics HiRes Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant.The first-of-its-kind, the HiRes Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant’s innovative multi-magnet assembly provides alignment to the 3D MRI field. (Yes, I copied and pasted that bit lol) So on Tuesday I had my first MRI scan in 25 years! It was at the Golden Jubilee in Glasgow (journey was a nightmare lol) staff were lovely. When my surgeon was organising it, I got the information from Crosshouse and sent it to his secretary. He then sent it up to the GJ, when I got up there I was asked if I had a bandage and splint with me. I said no, my CI is compatible with up to a 3 Telsa MRI machine. Oh, it's just that usually CI patients bring a bandage with them. I repeat that I don't need one. I'll just have to call downstairs and check. She comes back, oh, it's OK. Yup I say smiling. We go through the checklist, metalwork? Underwire, jewellery, hairclips etc, I put my bag in the locker, leave my stick and take off my CI, reiterating that as soon as I take off my CI I can't hear them. The nurse proceeds to give me a pair of ear plugs and some ear defenders! I just laughed, then took up my Supergirl pose. They gave me a buzzer telling me that the machine was indeed a 3T and therefore at the limit of my CI threshold and if I feel any discomfort at all I must let them know. I actually fell asleep in the machine! No pain, not even any discomfort. When we'd finished, I put my Processor back on and away we went. Very, very glad I can now have MRI's again without the need for a bandage and splint.
Credit: @cihighfive
Advanced Bionics
23 September 2022