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WAYNE'S JOURNAL
September 11, 2025
The Big Day
The long awaited day of implant has arrived and I am totally psyched about it! My team is assembled and ready!
Dr. Brendan O'Connell, MD
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.
Greer Bailey, AuD, CCC-A
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.
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We left our home to arrive at the outpatient surgical center in Charlotte at 5am.
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I am checked in and was shown the way to the bay where my bed and the standard Pre-Op equipment was waiting for me.
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A few nurses are there and they got me hooked up to the cardio monitor and IV lines. My meds were reviewed.
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The anesthesiologist came in, nice guy, and we went over his protocol. Having had 10 previous operations, this was not new for me.
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The surgeon arrived and we chatted a bit. He reminded me the procedure would be about 1-1/2 hours long, he would call my wife, Karen, and let her know how I did.
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Finally, at 7am I made my way to the Operating Room. As I was about to be wheeled in, I noticed 6 or so people in scrubs. I asked them if they were killing time or waiting for me to come by and give autographs...we all had a good laugh.
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The operating room was fairly big and there were about 5 or so people there. All were doing "their thing" and we were chit-chatting about current events and my excitement about having the procedure done.
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Then, I saw the "MASK"...yes, it was time for sleep. First it was placed on my face with oxygen running. Then, the anesthesiologist asked if I was ready to sleep. I assured him I was and within seconds I was out.
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Next thing I remember was waking up, touching my head and feeling a bandage over my ear. Karen was holding my arm waiting for me to come about. I asked her if everything was ok and she assured me it was.
aragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
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At 11am, feeling somewhat groggy, but "with it", I was told it was time to be discharged. I had no pain.
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I was able to walk without any trouble.
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The nurse read the Post-Op orders and what to look out for. I was advised to sleep sitting up for at least 3-5 days, longer if possible.
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I was also told that I could shower in 2 days.
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I was given pain meds, if I needed them otherwise I could take Tylenol.
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Next to my bed was a large red bag, filled with boxes from Med-El, the manufacturer of my cochlear implant.
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My first thought was how nice of them to give me all these gifts!
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Can't wait to get home and open them.
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They even gave me an amazing backpack with more gifts inside.
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Karen went to get the car, I got to the car by wheel chair, got in and off we went.
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Once we got home, I went straight to bed and fell asleep sitting up
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I slept for about 7 hours.
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Had some juice and fell asleep again.
September 12th - 1 Day Post-Op
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Woke up and felt pretty good!
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Had a minor headache in my left temple.
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Able to walk unassisted. Felt so good that we (Karen and my daughter) decided to go out for lunch.
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I drove to the restaurant, about 15 minutes away.
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Had a good lunch, started to get a bit tired so I had my daughter drive us home.
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Slept most of the day...woke up at around 9pm with tinnitus in my left ear. Low volume, high frequency, multiple tones.
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Started to have pain in the surgical area - took pain medication and slept sitting up, 3 pillows and a neck roll.
September 13th - 2 Days Post-Op
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Felt bad today, very loud tinnitus in my left ear, multiple frequencies and tones changing randomly.
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Dull headache in left temple.
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Pain above the implant area.
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Left ear very swollen. Pain behind my left ear below surgical site.
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Very dizzy when I turn my head left or right.
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Evening tinnitus in my right ear as well, low volume, multi-tones.
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My right jaw joint hurt.
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Took pain meds all day as prescribed.
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Removed surgical dressing and this is how it look underneath:
September 14th - 3 Days Post-Op
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Really felt terrible today. Curious that I'm doing worse with time, thought I would be getting better.
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My old friend Vertigo has arrived uninvited. Had vertical motion for several hours. Took a Meclizine but it did not help very much.
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Pain continues in my left temple, pain around the implant site and jaw joint.
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Stopped using the neck pillow as it was irritating the pain spot behind and below my left ear.
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Took pain meds all day and tried to sleep.
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Super loud tinnitus in left ear. Sounds start at the mid-range and climb up to high frequencies over and over and over and over and over...not a lot of fun. Still get dizzy when I turn my head left or right.
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Vertigo on and off till I finally fall asleep.
September 15th - 4 Days Post-Op
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Woke up dizzy but no vertigo. Pain in all locations like yesterday. Mid-day vertigo started up. Took Meclizine, vertigo improved about 2 hours later.
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Noticed a change in the way my head felt. It's like "full" or "stuffed" like high pressure in airplane. Made my eyes hurt and my forehead hurt.
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Tinnitus has improved in both ears, volume is low. My right hearing was off today.
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Late night tinnitus started up in both ears...this is my life, lol.
September 16th - 5 Days Post-Op
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Woke up with a brief bout of vertigo when I sat up.
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Had tinnitus in both ears, low volume. (note: my right ear hearing started declining 25 years ago and has tinnitus nearly 24/7)
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Dull headache in left temple and across forehead.
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Pain continues in jaw. Pain is better around the implant site.
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Tried to walk further than the bathroom, not a great idea, major loss of balance.
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Eyes are not focusing well, everything seems very bright.
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Took acetaminophen before bedtime.
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No hearing on my right side, my head feels full, kind of like a Meniere's hangover.
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Good news though, no dizziness when I turn my head....hooray!
September 17th - 6 days Post-Op
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NO VERTIGO- Woo Hoo! Imbalance still very bad.
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Right ear hearing improves, start to feel like I'm actually getting better.
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Medium volume tinnitus in both ears.
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Head still feels full and also lightheaded.
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I decided I would try to walk more. Still need to hold on to my guard-rails...walls, furniture, spouse.
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Muscle ache in my upper back on right side.
September 18th - 7 days Post-Op
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Feeling better mentally today. Went outside of the house and walked in the back yard, very wobbly, but nice to get out.
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My head still feels full and lightheaded at the same time.I'm hungry...great sign for me.
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Felt like taking a shower, but I think I'm just too wobbly for my own safety. Will try again tomorrow.
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Pain persists around implant area. Headache comes and goes starting at my left temple and running across my forehead. Tinnitus on left side.
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Very tired in the afternoon, took a 3 hour nap.
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Muscle pain in middle of my back on the right side.
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I decided that I would sleep upright again and see if that helps at all.
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Took a Tizanadine to relax muscle and help me fall asleep.
September 19th - 8 days Post-Op
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Slept very well, woke up tired from Tizanidine.
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Balance worse than yesterday.
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Good news...No pain around the implant site!
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More good news...pain in my left temple is greatly improved.
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My forehead feels full though, that's a new symptom. Stayed in bed till 11am.
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More good news...I took a shower and a shave, Karen stood close by just in case I slipped or fell.
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Walking not so good. Very tired after the shower.
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Low volume tinnitus in both ears. Head still feels full.
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Afternoon severe headache running from the forward side of the implant site to my temple and top of head.
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Took pain med at 9pm.
September 20th - 9 days Post-Op
Last night's sleep, or lack there of, was terrible!
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Really bad pain in temple & around the surgical site.
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Took pain meds at 1am & 4am.
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Finally fell asleep at 6am.
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Some good news, my right hearing has dramatically improved!!
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Back pain improved!!
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Had a bout of vertigo this afternoon at around 2pm.
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Took Meclizine, fell asleep and awoke at 5:15pm without vertigo and excellent hearing in my right ear, also, head fullness is gone!!
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Balance is slightly better.
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Still have light headedness and mild pain around implant site.
September 21st - 10 days Post-Op
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A bit lightheaded today. Took a shower, all ok, a bit wobbly but totally manageable.
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Got out of house though, sunny day, but seems very bright for my eyes even with sunglasses.
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Walking somewhat better.
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Tinnitus all day in both ears.
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Head ached across forehead most of the day, but not severe.
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Later in the day I had discomfort just above my left ear.
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Discovered that my sunglass ear piece was creating the issue. It was rubbing against the sutured area. Karen noticed that some of the closure strip had moved, so she replaced it, pain gone.
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Back muscles still hurt, I think maybe from sleeping upward?
September 22nd - 11 days Post-Op
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Slept well, even though I was sleeping upright.
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Pain returned to left temple.
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Low volume tinnitus in both ears
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My eyes are still very sensitive to light and not focussing easily.
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Imbalanced walking continues along with light headedness.
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Afternoon headache and early evening tinnitus in left ear sounds like bells chiming, lol.
September 23rd - 12 days Post-OP
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Slept very well and laying down. Otherwise no significant change from yesterday.
September 24th - 13 days Post-Op
BIG DAY TODAY - Surgical Follow Up
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Bandages removed, scar look sensational:
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I was happy to see that not much hair was shaven off and the hair was already growing back.
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Balance improved slightly today although in truth I was still veering off in one direction or another, lol.
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I asked many questions related to imbalance, light sensitivity, pain in temple, pain in jaw and resumption of activities.
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Dr. O'Connell was very pleased with my progress and said that I can resume all activities except for heavy lifting.
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Most of the issues I mentioned were totally normal. He said the balance issue can take a long time to resolve.
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Everybody is different and for some he prescribes physical therapy.
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He will revisit that in January when I see him.
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He told me that I should sleep in my normal position. I would be hearing from the audiologist to set up my activation date.
September 25th - 14 days Post-Op
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Feeling really good today!!!
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Took a morning walk and balance was somewhat better...still needed Karen by my side.
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Moving faster though.
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Headache is less severe. Jaw pain much better and minimal pain in left temple.
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Went to ophthalmologist today and bought new sunglasses and reading glasses. Had my eyes checked because of the brightness issue, all ok.
September 26th - 15 days Post-Op
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Very lightheaded today.
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Did not leave house, fair appetite.
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No pain, no headaches, just really lightheaded.
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Imbalance continues, tried to do some gardening, that was fun... particularly when I kept losing my balance and trying to miss the plants as I was falling, lol.
September 27th - 16 days Post-Op
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Well, still lightheaded, joy of joys, but better than having vertigo!
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Hearing wind chime sounds thanks to tinnitus in my left hear. Could be worse, have experienced freight train sounds for hours sometimes.
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Right ear has static sounding tinnitus.
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Started stretching muscles for my back and they seem to be helping.
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Playing catch/tug with Murphy and Maisie outside, They loved it, I only fell 3 times, well worth it though as they jumped on top of me and played, we had a lot of fun.
September 28th - 17 days Post-Op
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Feeling pretty good today. Still light headed but not terrible.
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Played with Murphy and Maisie again, no falls this time, YAY!
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Balance still not regained much. No pain anywhere, no headaches.
September 29th - 18 days Post-Op
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No changes at all from yesterday.
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Very low volume tinnitus in my left ear in early am and pm.
September 30th - 19 Days Post-Op
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Went with Karen to grocery store. Needed to hold on to her most of the time. Found it awkward walking down aisles while imbalanced...kind of like looking down a long hall in a horror movie. I was walking faster than usual. My cheating trick....I pushed the grocery cart (this gave me greater stability when when walking throughout the store).
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Drove to store and back...interesting, do not feel any imbalance when driving.
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Still light headed when walking.
October 1st - 20 Days Post-Op
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Drove 45 minutes to a new dentist, no issues what-so-ever.
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His office was very loud and had difficulty understanding what people were saying. So, I turned down my hearing aid (right side) and had people speak more slowly.
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No pain anywhere, had loud tinnitus all afternoon from the dentist's office.
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Activation Day (10/14) is coming up and I am really exciting to be moving forward.
October 2nd - 21 Days Post-Op
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Went to drug store for flu & covid shots, no problem driving, but still light headed.
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Walking a little better and faster today. Still wobbly every now and then but I'll take it.
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Not comfortable walking on street alone yet as I still have moments of veering off to one side or the other.
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No pain, no head aches, no soreness.
October 3rd - 22 Days Post-Op
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Slept pretty well, but had a lot of pain in my arm from the two shots.Moderately loud tinnitus in my left ear, none in the right.
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Light headedness continues, everything else the same.
October 4th & 5th - 23/24 Days Post-Op
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No changes from previous days
October 6th - 25 Days Post-Op
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Joy of Joys....My eye sensitivity is back to normal!
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My new sunglasses are irritating the soft skin where the sutures were. I wrapped the eyeglass arm in cotton and that took care of the issue.
October 7th - 26 Days - Post Op
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My ingenious eyeglass fix has failed, the cotton keeps falling out of place. New fix - I am wearing the temple arm outside of my ear. Easy to remove and put on as my eyeglasses have hinges where the arms connect to the frame.
October 8th - 27 Days Post-Op
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No changes.
October 9th - 28 Days Post-Op
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Walked much better today, no falls, still in my head I do not feel balanced. It's a strange feeling...even for me.
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Tinnitus is fairly loud today in both ears.
October 10th - 29 Days Post-Op
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Had a lot of "popping" today in my left ear. Kind of like when you clear your ears by closing your mouth and holding your nose while exhaling. Interestingly, the lightheadedness in my head is feeling better than before..maybe it's getting better with the "popping". I hope so.
October 11th - 30 Days Post-Op
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Slept really late today, feeling like "me" again.
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Played with Murphy and Maisie, didn't fall, a bit wobbly but I'm good.
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It's been a month since surgery and I didn't think I would still be off-balanced when I walk.
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Also, the light headedness has surprised me. While it's better, I still have it. I know that these symptoms are normal, just didn't think they would last this long.
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I have reached out to several cochlear implant groups and each person has their own story and set of issues after the surgery.
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My appointment on the 14th should yield a lot of answers to questions I have.
October 12th - 31 Days Post-Op
Quiet Sunday, nothing new to report.
October 13th - 32 Days Post-Op
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Woke up today, mild headache. Low volume tinnitus both ears.
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Decided to open my Med-El gifts before Activation Day.
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Well, the joke is on me. Sadly no gifts.
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Rather the backpack and bag were stuffed with Med-El system parts including the over-the-ear processor called Sonnet 3, the independent pod processor called Rondo 3.
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Rechargeable batteries, waterproof skins for both processors, a rechargeable pad for the Rondo (like an Iphone charger that you lay the phone on), cleaning tools, rechargeable battery base with 4-slots for different batteries, replacement magnets, an audio system for watching/listening to TV, small travel cases and a bunch of other assorted accessories and parts and a ton of documents and pamphlets.
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Actually, I had a pretty good time exploring all of the items and trying to figure out what goes where and what to do with them.
October 14th - 33 Days Post-Op
Finally, It's Activation Day!
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So, Dr. Greer Bailey at CEENTA is my audiologist and she is a compassionate, caring, upbeat and optimistic person who clearly loves her job.
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She fitted the Med-El Sonnet 3 over my ear, attached the magnet pickup to the side of my head over the cochlear implant (CI).
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After a few instructions from her, she asks, "are you ready?" "Absolutely, let's rock", I replied.
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With that she "flipped the switch" and sat there looking at me. Karen was in the room with me a long with a resident in audiology from University of Carolina.
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I turn and look at Karen and I said, "ok, talk to me", Karen said "can you hear me?", I said, "I CAN HEAR YOU, OMG!"
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She started to cry, I shed a few tears, the resident held her hand to her chest and Greer was beaming.
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It was quite a moment...one I will never forget.
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For me, what I heard was the person's voice, very far away, like in a long tunnel with a grittiness to the voice.
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Never-the-less, I was thrilled.
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Apparently, every patient's experience is unique to them. From sound quality, to ambient noise, to actual CI hearing, we are all different and the brand of CI also plays a large role in the process. Each brand/manufacturer has it's pro's and con's.
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She then proceeded with "mapping" of the processor. This procedure programs the external processor with the cochlear implant by adjusting the electrical stimulation with each electrode on the electrode array (the thin flexible wire that goes inside of the cochlear).
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The audiologist also checks to see if each electrode is functioning.
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The audiologist explained that the goal of this first mapping session is to get the volume at a level that is comfortable for me (among some other technical objectives).
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I asked Dr. Bailey about my imbalance, light headedness, tinnitus and ear popping. She told me that all of those were quite normal and should subside over time.
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She added that if the imbalance continues, I may benefit from some physical therapy.
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At the end of my session, Dr. Bailey talked with me about different ways to start training my brain to understand electrical stimulation that the CI is sending to it.
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She emphasized that the best results are achieved by training for a minimum of an hour a day.
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So, off I went, ready to conquer the CI experience and get my hearing up and running to the highest level possible.
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Fortunately, I was born with good hair genes...the processor's custom color and my hair hides the processor beautifully:
Now You See It...Now You Don't...
Just placed on head
Started to brush hair
Hair fully brushed
October 16th - 35 Days Post-Op
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Wore the Sonnet device all day.
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Problem...it occasionally falls off my ear. Not really as comfortable as I thought it would be.
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Kind of bulky feeling. Must have fallen off at least 4 times during the day.
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I told Karen that it's going to be a problem for me if it keeps falling off.
October 17th - 36 Days Post-Op
DISASTER STRIKES!
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I was changing my shirt and forgot that I was wearing the Sonnet (over-the-ear processor). As my shirt came off, the Sonnet went flying.
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My younger Golden Retriever, Maisie, saw this as an opportunity to get a new toy. She was right.
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I went looking for it and saw Maisie standing at the entrance to our bedroom with that "happy smile" indicating she knew she had something of mine and was waiting for me to engage her.
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I yelled "LEAVE IT, MASSIE"! Naturally, for her, that meant "start running" as the game is on. So she ran in the opposite direction.
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By the time Karen and I got it, there was not much left...except for me to say a few choice words followed by I knew this would happen.
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I am devastated. I can't train, I somehow have to get a replacement, how long will that take, the holidays are coming up fast, this is going to cost me a fortune, DARN-IT!
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Maisie, was not to blame, I was, but I just knew something would happen because it kept falling off me.
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I called Med-El and they could not be nicer.
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Apparently, dogs love these things. I felt relieved know I am not the only idiot out there.
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Med-El's warranty covers the replacement so I am much relieved.
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The Med-EL customer service person told me that unfortunately, they are backordered on the Sonnet 3 and they expect to have it in stock by the end of October.
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This means I can't be re-activated until then and that my next mapping appointment is going to be pushed out by 2-3 weeks as well (more lost time).
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I'm really bummed.
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I placed a call to my audiologist and advised her of what has happened so we can plan accordingly.
November 2nd - 50 Days Post-Op
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Today is Sunday and unbelievably FedEx delivers my replacement! That means I can re-start my training with the audiologist on 11/13, thank goodness.
November 19th - 69 Days Post-OP
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Went for my 2nd mapping appointment with my audiologist.
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Greer went over some questions that I had about balance and light headedness.
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She said that they will all resolve in time and that people are all different.
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She did notice that my walking had improved greatly and that I was not veering off as much as the last time I saw her.
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I agreed and told her that I have been trying to walk more and more.
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The mapping went very well and Greer felt I had made substantial progress.
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I told her I practice every day for almost an hour.
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She fine tuned the pitch of what I was hearing, not so much the volume.
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I also asked her to try to get rid of the sound being like in a tunnel. We spent a lot of time on that and it is now much better.
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Greer set my next appointment for 3 months from now. She said I am "ahead of the curve" and wants me to really practice as much as I can with sounds, vowels, phrases and music.
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I told her that I had started music but found it very difficult to identify instruments.
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Apparently, now that my mapping has been revised, with pitch in mind, the instruments should start to be a bit easier to identify.
November 20th - 70 days Post-Op
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Re-started the music module today. Dr. Bailey was correct. I am able to identify most of the instruments I hear. They don't sound like they are "real". They sound kind of computerized or tinny. The Drums sound pretty good. The brass not so good. The string instruments sound fairly good. I can see this is going to take a while. But, like everything else, this too will get better.
November 25th - 75 Days Post-Op
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Our daughter, who was coming for dinner, surprised us and is staying for the weekend.
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Spent much the holiday working on the new website. I am nearly 80% complete and so far am very happy with the way it is coming out.
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We want to make the site as inviting as possible, have an area devoted to CI patients, friends, relatives and co-workers of people who may have CI's or are severely hearing impaired and may want to learn about CI's.
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The fastest way we can think to reach our audience and raise awareness for CI's is through branded merchandise that would be worn by people to attract other people to CI's.
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We have so many ideas that we can't wait to get them up and running once the website launches.
December 8th - 18th, 88/98 Days Post-Op
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I'm feeling really good...no headaches, light headedness is much better, walking is greatly improved, eyes are fine, tinnitus is also much improved in both ears...quieter and multi-pitches are less frequent.
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I am getting some fullness in my right ear but it's not causing and significant disruption. Certainly not related to my left ear CI. It may be a touch of Meniere's. Will have to wait and see.
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Full steam ahead on the backend of the new business.
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HearO's Wear Magnets™ is alive. Our vendors are on board and the design team has completed our spec packages along with final timetables for development, production and warehousing.
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Our site is now 90% complete. Will be finishing up by year end and then ready for testing.
December 22nd - 102 Days Post-Op
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Music word understanding is improving via the apps.
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Walking really well, I am now able to walk a mile with very little veering off.
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No longer light headed and tinnitus is acceptable.
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I've decided that my journal entries will only be made when there is something significant to post.
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Not to say my journey is over...for me...my journey will never be over. That's just the way I am and the way I have lived my life.
January 18th - 129 Days Post-Op
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Was standing in the kitchen preparing lunch and started feeling uncomfortably lightheaded.
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My friend Meneire's was at the door. I told Karen that I was going to have an episode.
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Vertigo started....room moving horizontally. Fairly slowly.
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I went over to the table and sat down.
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Karen asked if I wanted to get to the bed. No, let's see where this goes, I said.
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Not my usualy attack, lacking symptoms like sweats, nausea...
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I asked Karen to get a Meclizine and a Betahystine which I took.
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About 15 minutes later I started to feel better. Veretigo subsided and lightheadedness improved.
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I was able to eat. Then worked on our bed for the rest of the day.
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And the beat goes on...first M-episode since implant...we shall see what the future has in store.
February 20th - 168 Days Post-Op
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Major Observation Today! I noticed that I am now able to walk a straight line nearly 95% perfectly. It's been a long journey but finally feel as though I'm almost back to being "me".
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There are times during the day that I feel my balance is off though.
February 26th - 174 Days Post-Op
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When I listen to music, I am able to hear different instruments, the clarity of each one is poor, but I can tell how many are playing and that they have their own sound.
Some Context
My struggles with hearing began at a very young age. I have lived with tinnitus since I was about six years old. Later on, I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma on my right vestibulocochlear nerve, which further complicated my auditory health.
In my early thirties, I began to experience symptoms consistent with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a condition that still affects me today. At the age of 34, I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease , which brought additional challenges to my hearing and balance. By the time I reached 35, my hearing had deteriorated to the point where I needed to start using a hearing aid for my right ear. My hearing continued to decline over the years, and by age 55, I was diagnosed with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss (PSNHL).
On 09/11/2025, I underwent cochlear implant surgery—an important step in my journey to regain a sense of hearing and improve my quality of life.
Throughout these challenges, my pragmatic optimism and sense of humor have been crucial tools for overcoming adversity. The unwavering encouragement and support from my family have also played a significant role, enabling me to navigate life's difficulties with strength and resolve.
His Favorite Music Artists: Grateful Dead, Moody Blues,
The Who, Yes, Phish
Her Favorite Music Artists:
Beatles, Elton John, SuperTramp,
Taylor Swift
Wayne & Karen Barnett
Co-Founders
HearOs Wear Magnets™
High School Sweethearts
Life Long Best Friends
Parents of Two
Grandparents of Two
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