Morris Lewis cites a long list of benefits from the cochlear implant surgery he received from Vanderbilt Health. Now he can join in the conversation at Thanksgiving and other large family gatherings instead of withdrawing because of hearing loss in his left ear. He can enjoy music again and even hear his own voice as he sings along.
And as a passionate video gamer, he’s excited about how improved hearing has boosted his performance. “Things don’t sneak up on my left side anymore,” he said.
Morris received his implant—a surgical procedure that places an electronic device in the inner ear—as part of Vanderbilt’s MyHearingHealth Bundle. Though he’s technically “retired” (he still devotes more than 50 hours a week designing video games with his son), he spent 17 years as a database administrator at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
He started losing hearing in his left ear 15 years ago and was diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease, an inner ear problem. Over time, even a hearing aid didn’t help. His word recognition fell to just 14%. "It was terrifying,” he said.
After Morris learned the details of the MyHearingHealth Bundle—particularly that his employer provides the benefit at low to no out-of-pocket costs—looking into his eligibility and signing up was a no-brainer. In addition to world-class medical care, he received support from a patient navigator, who walked him through the process, answered non-clinical questions and set appointments for testing.
“The navigator took a complex process and turned it into something very easy to do,” he said. “She took care of all the details. I had never had surgery before, so I had several questions. I just sent an email, and she responded within 30 minutes.”
The surgery took only about an hour, and Morris was home that day. After six months his word recognition was up to 54%—a number that is expected to climb. “I’m not having any difficulty hearing conversations, even in crowded environments,” he said. A music lover, he’s excited about returning to Nashville Symphony concerts.
He also points to studies that found a link between hearing loss and the social isolation that can bring on dementia. “This allows you to reengage with life,” he said.
Morris calls his cochlear implant a “modern miracle” and has recommended the bundle to several of his friends.
“I hope more people realize they don’t just have to accept hearing loss as a given of getting old. If your doctor says you’re a good candidate, go ahead and do it,” he said. “It will change your life.”
