As an audiologist, thank you for making this video! Honestly, most cochlear implant activations are like this, but we only see the 1 in a 100 activations where people just hear fine! This is a much more realistic video of what cochlear implant activations are like. It is a long and difficult journey for a lot of users, and people need to understand that so thanks!

I think so many hearing people are used to “inspiration porn” where it’s turned on and it’s like this omg moment and the person can suddenly hear. I really appreciate you sharing your experience and that it’s a journey

how does somebody look so cute and put together immediately after surgery wtf

Thanks for translating into spoken English too, for those of us who are not cool enough to know ASL. The shoe is on the other foot for once!

I honestly wish kids would learn basic signs language in school. I personally don't know anyone with hearing problems but I can imagine how hard it would be to communicate with people.

I just don’t understand how people can work with deaf people for a living and not learn ASL

My best friend has a cochlear implant. Lol anytime people annoy her she just turns it off and says her battery needs to charge 😂💯 even if its fine. Lolol 🖤🖤🖤🖤🤘 so happy you were able to get this procedure! 🖤

I totally relate about the being overwhelmed and overstimulated..I've had my hearing back for awhile now and sometimes to say the truth, I wish my hearing would leave again sometimes..I'm so grateful but it's just a scary loud world

I’m so disappointed that people working with cochlear recipients don’t know sign :(

chrissystillcanthearyou, I just got a thingy...

I was lucky enough to get coclears at a young age (3-4). I wasn’t born deaf but at 18 months i started losing my hearing rapidly and hearing aids were already not an option when i was 2. I do get headaches often from them and my bad vision but other than that coclears really help. There is tons of accessories that can help adhere to your lifestyle. For example, i use a mini mic so my teacher’s voice is streamed directly to my coclears. Its truly a miracle for me. Thanks for whoever spends the time to read this.

"It sounds like Aliens Chirping". As an autistic with sensory sensitivity issues of which sound is one of the worst, I have to say, 'aliens chirping' is probably the most accurate description I'm ever heard of the sound human beings produce. I'm kind of jealous you can selectively turn it of.

I like that you added that it isn't just "magic" when you turn them on. It's nice to see those videos when someone can hear their loved ones for the first time and everyone cries, but sometimes that's not how it works. My mom could understand me when I talked, but she couldn't differentiate voices for months. It's just overstimulation and how she said "monotone kermit the frog" voices. I loved hearing your take on it. I hope everything has been working well for you!

I remember about 3 years ago, I was around 11? I went to summer camp, and there was this boy, with something like this. Everyone thought he was really cute, but when he said he needed that thing, and he said he was deaf, people got turned off by it and left him alone with his mom. Me being the nice person I am, I didn’t know what it was or what it did, but I wanted to make him feel like he fit in with the others. So that’s what I did! I spent almost all of camp with him, all 5 days of camp, he slept in this special bunk house with his mom, and she offered me to go and stay in with them, so I took it. We stayed up pretty late, played uno, and had a lot of fun! I haven’t seen the boy since, until a few days ago, I was out and about the city with my mom, I was actually in the mall, and I saw him, I saw the boy! He was even cuter now, also just to say this boy is year older than me. He is 15 now. He still had that hearing thing, and he looked so positive! I went up to him and he knew me right away, his mom took a minutes to figure it out but ya know that’s alright. Now I have his snap and we have been talking! Now he has a few more friends as society has changed a lot the past few years, but he is still bullied. And he properly thanked me for that camp experience seeing I was the only one who would hangout with him. Honestly he is super kind, and I hope people don’t look at people who are deaf, like they are aliens or something, because they are just human, they are just people, no different from the rest, they deserve to be treated equally as well as everyone else. So yeah that’s my story, I hope you guys can do this too! Make them feel welcomed, make them feel like they have someone to rely on. And thank you Mason, the boy who I met at summer camp, you opened up my mind, and showed me the real you, the you that is kind and sweet to people, even if they aren’t to you. You inspire me, just want you to know that I’m here for you, as well as all deaf people💜 I rest my case, equality is supposed to be a thing, so be it.

I wish ASL could be taught in school just like Spanish and French are ( at least around here it's taught in HS)

“If you have to sneeze or cough, do it with your mouth open” the looks people would give you if you did that now days😭

Came from tiktok. Sincerely interested in this journey ❤ thank you for sharing

off-topic but her hair fits so well with her- it’s so prETTY. I can’t relate lmao

I LOVE that as a hearing person, I have to turn on subtitles to hear you speak. That is a clever way to help us understand what it's like for you to consume content without subtitles. I was grateful you'd done the work needed to help me understand, and that was a good lesson to me as a creator who doesn't always do subtitles. Lesson learned! Thank you!

I WISH sign language was taught at school to everyone, not only will it make society more inclusive but it's also just a cool extra and different way of communicating

I cant imagine what it is like to have to take your glasses off when you're deaf and rely on sign language. It's bad enough for me when it removes my clarity of vision but for you it removes your ability to communicate as well

I sometimes wonder, "Who the hell are the people disliking these types of videos?"

Oh my gosh she's so dang cute! Her smile and her eyes, she's the prettiest.

I used to babysit my neighbours kid up until this year he went to school. He had a cochlear put in when he was 3 we used a lot of basic sign (mainly colors) to communicate and the change I've seen with him speaking and learning new words is huge!

I'm not Deaf but I have audio processing issues and use captions, and ASL in my daily life. I love that you advocate for ASL, and that you were honest in your video about CI and didn't make it inspiration porn

I was really under the impression that cochlear implants and hearing aids restored hearing completely, like with perfect clarity and everything.

I've been pondering whether to get a cochlear implant or not, and your video really helped me sort out my feelings. I'd had an initial discussion with an audiologist about it, and none of the downsides had been mentioned. This was really enlightening. Also, watching several of your videos over the last few days has helped me move to a place of self-acceptance about being HOH. I really appreciate that. I'm going to move forward and learn ASL now.

There is a girl (21) that works for my parents that has been deaf since 2011 and she got these too. It is quite amazing. By here self she learnt how to read lips and she talked very well for someone that could not hear at all. People could have normal conversations with her as long as you don’t speak too fast.

You’re an absolute badass. Like wearing makeup to get a surgery, let alone having a surgery. Ugh an absolute queen. You’re the type of put together I wish I was! thank you so much for sharing your journey!

I just had my hearing aids turned on this week, and I felt overwhelmed, too for the first few days. One does not realize how much I miss without hearing water running or the coffee maker for instance. I wish you the best of luck, and congratulations on the new gear.

I remember when I was in middle school, I read a webtoon in Korean by a deaf artist talking about her experiences. she also had a cochlear implant at one point, but eventually decided that they were not for her. it was several episodes long but the general message was that she is living her life at its fullest even without having to hear, and to her that was perfectly fine. I still go back to read that webtoon from time to time. thank you for sharing your experience, it always means a lot to be able to educate myself as a hearing person whose understanding on these topics are limited.

I can’t get over HOW PRETTY SHE IS OMG💕💕

I’m a therapist in a cochlea implant centre and I am so grateful for my job, that I am able help bringing hearing back for people who have lost it. Especially seeing children growing up and learning to talk who where born deaf.

Thank you for sharing this!!! I feel like the cochlear assumption is so often that getting means you will hear everything and leave the deaf community and never sign again. The way you did it is far more realistic and practical. Also thank you for sharing your journey! I have never seen the whole process before.

ASL is such a beautiful language! I love how it’s not only signing with your hands but they also use facial expression and body language.

From someone who works in the hearing healthcare industry, I thank you for sharing this beautiful experience with all of us

This is an amazing video Chrissy. The quality, the story, the voice over, the videography, everything. I feel like this could win an ward for indie films/documentary. It's so beautifully crafted and helps hearing-abled folks like me better understand you and your community. This is amazing, you are amazing! 💕

Hopefully now you can hear us scream at you. Telling you how beautiful and creative you are.

the narration scene with just you signing with trees behind you, the scenery is perfect with good lighting, so professional, i just had to keep watching, i myself am partially deaf in my left ear due to a car accident, its like white noise but some times a low hum

My daughter has an external cochlear implant. It’s called a baha and it goes on a headband. I’m learning sign with her. She just turned 2.

This is so interesting! I grew up with a deaf sister who’s really proud of being deaf and has never been interested in a cochlear. I’ve never really met a deaf adult who’s gotten the cochlear! I appreciate being able to see your experience.

Hi! I’m fluent in ASL since I attended to Deaf school in childhood. I got CI when I was 27 years old in 11 years ago. You’re so brave to make vlog about your CI journey with ASL. That is so amazing! 👍🏻

We're lucky to have you, Chrissy. For what you are, for what you represent.

I would love it if they'd taught everyone sign language in school. Just imagine the adhd kids doing extremely fast signing (like they're speaking french) and when some kids are overstimulated (like when they have autism) they could sign how they'd feel instead of saying the words. For some people (like me) stress can really close that throat, so learning sign language even to say that you're not okay could help a lot of people. (And also less noisy)

i really want to learn sign language i’m probably going to need it in the future when my hearing gets worse

If you have ever watched the movie “The sound of Metal” it shows roughly what these may actually sound like. I don’t know if it is 100% accurate but it is neat to see someone actually get this implant.

Thanks for sharing this story. I’m part of the disability community and have sensory issues, but am not deaf or classically hearing impaired. You always hear so much positive and negative about cochlear implants. This was very helpful to watch and to see your experience.

The doctors spoke directly to her :0 we love that

I am a hearing care professional. We get people in our office all the time who say their lives have been changed for the better by hearing aids and CI implants. Best job ever 🤩🤩🤩🤩

As a receiver of the cochlear implant, the future of cochlear implants are awesome. I have one myself even the same processor you have, except black. The Bluetooth feature on the latest ones are a LIFESAVER. I used to have one without Bluetooth and phones were difficult for me before I had the Bluetooth upgrade. Welcome to the family!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. And you shouldn't have any guilt for not loving hearing it's an entire change of life it's extremely difficult to get a new stimulation! You are so brave!

This is why i want to learn sign language so that no one feels weird or i make them sad that i can't understand them

“The skin on top of my head still feels loose like bubblewrap!” her: the sweetest little nervous smile me in my bed, screaming: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Lmaooo 😭 thank you for sharing your story! This is such an awesome video and you’re such an awesome person!

My grandma got cochlear implants about 5 years ago and she never heard my brothers voice before that and she finally did. They were the best thing that happened to her and our family. I love her so much and I pray for your recovery

i have no words for this. i’m so happy for her that she got the surgery🥺 she deserves the world

Honestly, she is so pretty. And so brave,, I can’t imagine getting that kind of implant. ❤️

After watching this, I’m just so happy to see that someone got a cochlear implant and ended up so well!! Your story is very inspiring and I think everyone is amazed at how well you can handle things!! Keep being awesome!!

This was a really touching video to watch. Your optimism and your willingness to be vulnerable while telling your story is so powerful. Best of luck to you Chrissy.

You're so super strong!

I'm so happy I know sign language. Literally the best decision I've ever made.

Thank you for sharing. I always thought this was a magical device that gave hearing back, until I met someone who had one. My boss at an old job had one and other than having a distinct accent it seemed he could hear completely. As I worked with him more I realized it was more his skill at lip reading that made it easy to talk to him, he had to remind us from time to time to look at him when he talked.

The thing that kept popping up in my head while watching this is “she is so gorgeous and happy”

dude. you are a living life of confidence and fighting the reality. you make my day and forever whenever i feel low.

Thank you for sharing your journey. I came here from Tiktok. I’m from Australia and My younger brother is gradually loosing his hearing so watching your videos and learning about the deaf community even if yours is in America has been so interesting to watch. My family is hoping to be put in Auslan classes so that we can learn how to communicate better as he looses his hearing. Keep up the good work beautiful 💕

For what it's worth, I have strong feelings of solidarity towards you especially in the moments you describe the sensory overload. I'm autistic and have loads of sensory issues especially related to hearing, and the moments in this video where you showed feelings of frustration and tearfulness were moments that strongly resonated strongly with me. I know that being a hearing autistic person and a Deaf allistic person are two different things, but I just wanted you to know that I related to your frustration really strong. One of the reasons I'm actually trying to learn sign online is for moments when I or folks in my community go nonverbal, or need to use earplugs/sound cancelling devices and still communicate. Even though our disabled/differently abled communities aren't the same (assuming you're allistic), what I see in your videos that I identify with is the common ableist thread of disrespect and inaccessibility, and especially the burden of having to self-advocate all the time... Even though I know that the struggles aren't exactly the same, I am a little tearful right now with how much I relate. I don't know if that all made sense, but I just wanted to offer that I feel you, to the extent that I can, and I respect the hell out of you for. Thank you for sharing this journey with us - it means a lot, even to hearing folks like me.

My grandmother has an implant. She went deaf in high school and I know things were so hard for her. The implant helped her so much and I’m so thankful I get to speak with her

I remember learning ASL alphabets, numbers and basic signs two years ago but watching this reminded me how much I've forgotten because I dont get to practice it or regularly revisit my lessons but this video inspired me to take ASL up again. In the beginning of college we had a presentation and I took it upon myself to teach my classmates how to spell out their name in ASL and it was such a bonding moment for everyone, I hope I get more opportunities like that again. Also I wish you the very best Chrissy! Its so wonderful to see your journey and staying so strong!

I’m here from TikTok. I’m sad to see medical professionals who work in that field not know at least some ASL. Thank you for sharing your story it’s an interesting insight into your world view.

Your so adorable and perfect, and your story is incredibly inperational to all the deaf kids out there or someone who knows a deaf person. I myself have a 9 year old deaf cousin, her name is Tati, when she takes her hearing aids out she reads lips or we act out what we are trying to say, we don’t use ASL like you but not everyone will. I love you so much and keep on shining your beautiful star!❤️❤️

Beautiful young lady,. I had my cochlear implant put in last year and it was overwhelming to start with but now nearly a year later I am finding it much better. It does take a while for the nerves to adjust to it. Bluetooth works well for me too. Music, haha I am glad I can hear it again after 3 years of no music. I wish you well with your journey with CI. 👍🏻

The sensory overload makes a lot of sense, when I studied ASL I experienced a lot of sensory deprivation and not in a good way. It was like my ears were aching to hear something and I'd get horrible headaches after class. I was told it was pretty common and I did adjust but I was definitely not expecting it!

I found your video talking to Siri in my recommended and then this video and I just wanna say that you’re really pretty and seem super sweet! 😊 I’m also really glad you decided to share this journey with people. Idk much about this kinda stuff and don’t really watch videos about it but this was really nice. I hope everything is still going well!

I can’t imagine how happy she was hearing music for the first time.

Your dress in the beginning is so pretty and goes great with your hair! As for the CI, I am happy that it is starting to be helpful in the way you wanted. Historically, I’ve been pretty strongly against implants. However, your description of your thought process and narration of your experience is far and away the best, most balanced discussion of the topic I’ve ever encountered. Amd, in just a short time, it’s forced me to reconsider some aspects of that position. I’m glad to hear that, first and foremost, you (still) consider yourself to be Deaf and that you are keeping everything in perspective. Also, the simple fact that you were openly sharing certain fears and pressures that you felt during the process speaks volumes about your confidence. That part of the story is rarely told with such honesty. Props to the nurse in the dark blue scrubs around the five minute mark. She clearly worked to make appropriate eye contact and seemed to be the most respectful of you as a person. Although it’s all too familiar, the assistant helping to prep for the surgery didn’t get the memo at all. For something so important as this surgery, or any surgery, her behavior and attitude were hard to watch. She may be a nice person, but she has some learning to do. Anyway, things seem to be going in a very good direction for you and I hope they continue in the same vein!

I still can't get over how beautiful you are Chrissy, in every way possible. It's so wonderful to see people who are 100% truly themselves and at the same time lift up and inspire others to get through hard times in life. Keep up the good work and just know that you are an Angel walking this 🌎🌍🌎🌍☺️

Thank you for sharing your story, it helped me feel a little bit better about being told that I will probably have to get a CI in the next few years, do to my hearing getting worse at a rapid pace, and your video has make me feel not as afraid of what’s coming. Thank you

This vid just made me realize the importance of learning sign language, I'm going to start teaching myself through YT starting today! 💓

I’m learning asl and it is a interesting experience. You are one of my asl idols and I really enjoy ur content. You are always upbeat in the toughest situations and I really admire that. ❤️ I’m learning asl at school and it’s one of my favorite classes I ever took in my life. The culture is so interesting and I love learning new signs and learning more so I can know more to help me understand.

I wish I knew asl, there's so much that people who are hard of hearing, deaf, or mute have to say and I cant understand any of it. Congrats to you being able to hear again!

Glad to see that, wish you all the best. I already did the CI surgery almost 3 years ago. Its not what I expected ( a bit dissapointed) cause I wasnt born deaf and for that reason I remember whats the real sensation of hear but I dont regret doing the surgery. I enjoy hearing music and it helps me a lot in many situations. Cheers from Brazil!

Why doesn't the person who is testing her knows ASL? Isn't that weird..

I really hope people in the future are required to learn ASL in schools and stuff, so it can include so many more people.

I saw this amazing movie where guy in a metal band went deaf and went to this awesome deaf center and learned sign language and found a great group but he wanted his life back, so I he got the implants. They edited throughout the whole movie what he was hearing and when he got the implants… oh my it was not nice sounds- i can’t image. The movies ending was beautiful. He turned the off and finallly just sat still. So beautiful to film this and let people know this is a tool but it’s never the same nor a preferred method to hear.

Your hair is so beautiful and I love the glitter on your ear piece! 💖

I am hard of hearing and wear hearing aids, but over the years my hearing will slowly get worst, ive always have been avoiding cochlear implants, mainly because i still want to do combat sports, but I ride a motorbike and it is my passion and my love, who knows, maybe one day i will have to get them. you're amazing and motivating. Keep it up!

My brother’s best friend as a child had a little brother who was deaf, his parents worked and worked and worked long hours and overtime to afford to get him a cochlear implant. Finally he had the surgery and it was the most precious thing, after he got used to it and could hear, that moment where he heard his mother talking to him, that was magical. His smile widened, and he cried out in joy, scaring himself with the loudness of his own voice. It took him a bit to learn his own name and respond to it, but once he learned it and learned how to speak he said his own name over and over as if the sound of it was the most magical thing. It truly was a wonderful thing to witness!

Thank you for sharing your experience, I'm sure it has been overwhelming. It is important to remember that each person is different and they may choose CIs for different goals, like you explained. I wish you the best and that you achieve all of your dreams.

I've watched your videos since some time ago, and I think you're like growing as a person I mean like you're having a good personal development (hope it makes sense cause spanish is my first language haha). Wow you're really strong... getting that surgery knowing all the problems that it can cause, thank God it went fine ❤ Also I think that you will not lose you're deaf identity, so IDK I just love you hahaha good vibes ✌ I'm from El Salvador BTW

Im glad I found this, not many people us sign language so I'm really happy! I have cochlear implants but I got them about 2-3 years ago and I'm 13 so I was bri n deaf and I too have an accent. People do often assume things about deaf people and they make fun of them for being different, and it's their opinions and sometimes it can hurt. So I hope you can move forward and look at a bright future despite knowing that people are judgemental 😊

I'm so happy for her she deserves it and she's such a beautiful person inside and outside! Thanks for the subtitles as well, otherwise I wouldn't understand a lot

I'm super happy for u I lost partial hearing for about a year and cried like a lil baby when I got surgery. Stay strong and beautiful

My twin sister went deaf at four years old. We don't know why. I remember the day we found out. Not at the hospital but at home. I was taking a nap in our room, my dad was in the living room, and my sister is watching TV in our room. My mom was at work. All of a sudden my sister turns rhe TV all the way up to max volume. My Dad, who was obviously mad, came in there and yelled at her for a few seconds. I was awake by then. My sister didn't react. She slowly turned off the TV, got up, and turned around. She looked shocked when she turned around. My dad started talking. My sister interrupted him and said "Daddy, I can't hear you.". She got the same surgery a little later. She got four different surgeries by the time we were 13. She can hear now. It helps a lot but in the time she couldn't hear, I was her nurse. I was with her constantly, making sure she doesn't get hit by cars. My sister now has a half shaved hair style so she can show off her implant. She does have headaches from time to tome, but it's usually just after a surgery. I'm proud of my sister for being so brave in this moment. ❤ Implants (or ears) rock! ❤

That’s amazing! It’s really interesting to hear (No pun intended) about the experience of the strange transformation of a Cochlear Implant, I use hearing aids myself and I always wondered what the effects of an implant were like. My sister uses one, so I’ve been wondering for quite some time what it was like. Thank you for sharing your story! Stay safe and strong!

I could not stop smiling throughout the whole thing! Excellent video, thank you for sharing these experiences.

You have such a beautiful voice, and I'm glad you're able to hear it.

I was wondering why some of the medical staff dont use ASL

Thank you for sharing your journey. My son got implemented but he’s so young 4 he does not have the language to express how he is feeling or what’s uncomfortable. Seeing some of the things you are expressing is helping me understand what might be going on with him. I’m trying to learn ASL with him. Has it’s difficult moments when I’m not always in the head space to learn another language. But to communicate with him I need to learn ASL.

She is a very beautiful young woman. I really wish her and her family nothing but the very best.

People who can hear only see the miracle videos/stories where it is all perfect and I think most people actually think it's perfect hearing, which is such a disservice to those who get the surgery. I blame the media for this misconception on what a cochlear implant does or sounds like to most who get it. Thanks for sharing your story.

I decided to go ahead, after having seen this beautiful video ... I will give my decision to my doctor at the hospital, to advance the cochlear implant process. Thanks for the video