Hey there - speaking as somebody who was born profoundly deaf but has been hearing 30+ years later thanks to the use of a cochlear implant (CI) and auditory-verbal training, and almost always at the point that people off the street don't realize that I have it ... there's options out there, she doesn't have to live with that constraint. Would highly encourage you to look into the technology there at bare minimum. (The earlier that people have the training/implant, the more exceptional results tend to happen, given there's less delay in speech.)
Happy to share my story and some resources - my email's in the profile. Best of luck to you and your family, and I feel for you.
Thank you so much! I am very interested in CI. Currently we're waiting for our appointments with the ENT but I hear so much good about it, I'm hoping we can move this forward as soon as possible. I will definitely be in touch.
I lost my hearing in one ear 9 years ago when I was 15 as the result of an illness. I could get a CI but choose not to. Honestly, being deaf in one ear has barely affected me. There are some situations (if it is a loud environment and the person is on my left) where I struggle to hear people and I cannot tell the direction sound is coming from but I do not find this has a major impact on my life.
Personally I am concerned that a CI would not improve my quality of life and may even make it worse. My understanding is that the hearing from a cochlear implant is not the same as "normal" hearing so I worry it may effect my current experience in a negative way.
Speak to the doctor but I would personally be a bit cautious about it, especially if your daughter is not at an age where she can properly communicate her experience of hearing with you.
I'm also essentially deaf (90% loss) in my right ear. It really doesn't affect my life in a negative way except in situations like you mentioned. Also, wearing a one-eared headset offers no advantages over a two-eared set in an office environment. I won't be hearing what the person in my cubicle says either way until I remove it.
If you ever encounter a person who instead of making eye contact seems to be looking just over your shoulder, it could be you are about to be attacked or it could be someone like me who needs to turn their one good ear towards you slightly in order to hear our conversation. :)
Happy to share my story and some resources - my email's in the profile. Best of luck to you and your family, and I feel for you.