My future CI plan

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 01:00 AM

I decide to make my own thread since I got many posts about my future CI. I don't want to topic off at threads. I am going to call ENT about CI evaluation on Monday. I want to make a journey. I can ask you many questions and ask me everything. I want to learn from your experience.

Hear Again · 10-31-2008, 01:33 AM

Good luck with your CI journey, Pinky.

By the way, did you see my post in the "Are You Wearing HA, CI or Never?" thread which listed a website where you can find CI centers in Indiana? Just thought I'd let you know in case you missed it.

overthepond · 10-31-2008, 03:48 AM

Good Luck Pinks, Any question just fire away... ok..

vallee · 10-31-2008, 06:08 AM

Good luck, it is an amazing journey.

***~SG~*** · 10-31-2008, 06:13 AM

Good luck with your CI journey.

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

Good luck with your CI journey, Pinky.

By the way, did you see my post in the "Are You Wearing HA, CI or Never?" thread which listed a website where you can find CI centers in Indiana? Just thought I'd let you know in case you missed it.

I am sorry. I missed your post with find clinics. I will check it out website for CI available. Thank you for telling me.

I am curious about insurance will cover for CI. I have Medicare. My husband have Tricare and other insurance. I found Tricare can cover for CI. What do you think?

Hear Again · 10-31-2008, 09:56 AM

Pinky,

Both Tricare and Medicare cover CIs. If I'm not mistaken, Medicare pays for 80% of the total cost for CI.

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 09:58 AM

I let you know. I called to ENT for CI evaluation schedule. The person said not until Feb or March. They put my names on list. I can't wait until Feb or March. The person said will call us for schedule in 2 to 3 months.

Hear Again · 10-31-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~♥~Pinky~♥~

I let you know. I called to ENT for CI evaluation schedule. The person said not until Feb or March. They put my names on list. I can't wait until Feb or March. The person said will call us for schedule in 2 to 3 months.

Pinky,

I'm sure the time will go by quickly. In the meantime, you can order DVDs from Cochlear and Advanced Bionics about cochlear implants. (They are captioned.)
For more information on these DVDs, you can visit:

Advanced Bionics:

BionicEar.com - Harmony Cochlear Implant by Advanced Bionics

Cochlear:

Cochlear: World leader in advanced hearing solutions. Nucleus cochlear implants and the Baha system.

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

Pinky,

I'm sure the time will go by quickly. In the meantime, you can order DVDs from Cochlear and Advanced Bionics about cochlear implants. (They are captioned.)
For more information on these DVDs, you can visit:

Advanced Bionics:

BionicEar.com - Harmony Cochlear Implant by Advanced Bionics

Cochlear:

Cochlear: World leader in advanced hearing solutions. Nucleus cochlear implants and the Baha system.

That's great! Thank you so much!

I really like AB harmony because of color custom. Or other CI brand. It doesn't matter to me. I want BTE to match on my hair. What color is your CI BTE do you have?

I have a question for you.

Hear Again · 10-31-2008, 10:41 AM

Pinky,

You're welcome!

Both of my CIs (Freedom) are black.

However, I also have two older processors (known as the 3G) where I can change the bottom compartment to one of 12 different colors. I have them all marked in Braille on the underside of the plastic so I can color coordinate my wardrobe with my processors.

AB Harmony has all kinds of neat color combinations. I think you'll be quite happy with the choice of colors that they offer.

What is your question for me?

Liebling:-))) · 10-31-2008, 10:42 AM

Wish you best of good luck to focus on CI and your future.

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

Pinky,

You're welcome!

Both of my CIs (Freedom) are black.

However, I also have two older processors (known as the 3G) where I can change the bottom compartment to one of 12 different colors. I have them all marked in Braille on the underside of the plastic so I can color coordinate my wardrobe with my processors.

AB Harmony has all kinds of neat color combinations. I think you'll be quite happy with the choice of colors that they offer.

What is your question for me?

That's cool! I am thinking about black or dark chocolate or new clear translucent. Because I has a dark brown hair. I am not decide what color do I want. I can't wait to pick a color for offer to match.

I have a questions for you.

* Why do you wanted to hear both ears than one?

* Can you speak on phone when you are wearing CI?

* Do you have experience with headache when you hear any loud stuff or just a soft sound as smooth?

* After you get activated the device. How long it will be heal your surgery?

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

Wish you best of good luck to focus on CI and your future.

And

to everybody!

overthepond · 10-31-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~♥~Pinky~♥~

That's great! Thank you so much!

I really like AB harmony because of color custom. Or other CI brand. It doesn't matter to me. I want BTE to match on my hair. What color is your CI BTE do you have?

I have a question for you.

I have chocolate brown cochlear with pink mic cover... I think deciding on what brand of cochlear to suit your lifestyle/comfort is more important than what color it is. As once you have chosen the CI it's with you for many years. There is no changing minds. I like AB too as it is lovely product.

005.jpg

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overthepond

I have chocolate brown cochlear with pink mic cover... I think deciding on what brand of cochlear to suit your lifestyle/comfort is more important than what color it is. As once you have chosen the CI it's with you for many years. There is no changing minds. I like AB too as it is lovely product.

Attachment 13003

That's cool! I don't want to change my mind too much. But I don't mind to have a gear for ears with fashion color. Hearing Aid Safety Device to Cover, Protect, & Prevent Loss of Children's Hearing Aids! When I get old have a gray hair. I would dye cover my hair to match on BTE. LoL

Thank you for post a picture of your BTE match on your hair. It's very invisible and hard to notice. I like it!

overthepond · 10-31-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~♥~Pinky~♥~

That's cool! I am thinking about black or dark chocolate or new clear translucent. Because I has a dark brown hair. I am not decide what color do I want. I can't wait to pick a color for offer to match.

I have a questions for you.

* Why do you wanted to hear both ears than one? In Uk Adults can only have one unless you are legally blind or have physcial problems (hearagain must had 2 because of her blindness) Perhaps you can have 2 aswell as you are also blind aren't you?

* Can you speak on phone when you are wearing CI? No I can't yet, I had been deaf all my life, i need to learn to listen on the phone but i have noone to practice with

* Do you have experience with headache when you hear any loud stuff or just a soft sound as smooth? I never had headache with CI, If it's too loud i just turn it down or move to quieter program. At start i heard things in high pitch now it had levelled out with the lows. The words had started to make sense, Lipreading are much better than it was before CI, The sounds isn't soft at all just combination of all sorts of frequencies as sounds comes in... I think it's clarity of sounds that is much better than with HA's as i am able to hear things with high freq aswell as soft/low freq which made the sounds sense to me, For example Pre CI I never heard my mum's voice properly, it sounded like high pitched disorted sound now with CI it sounds so clear, softer so when i am not looking i know it's her!

* After you get activated the device. How long it will be heal your surgery? Ermm my steri strips weren't removed until 2 weeks post surgery, i wasn't allowed to wash my hair for 2 weeks! Overall physical i was fully ok 3 weeks post op although i did drive 4 days post op. I didn't get activcated for 5 weeks post surgery (this is because it was during summer holiday the kids get the appts first before Adults so they are prep for School. The norm was 3 to 4 weeks post op) at switch on my incision was fully healed and i had no swellings.

Hope this helps

As written in Pink (just for you Pinky!)

Hear Again · 10-31-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~♥~Pinky~♥~

* Why do you wanted to hear both ears than one?

For me, it was a matter of being able to localize sound since I'm totally blind. Although I used a hearing aid in my nonimplanted ear for 6 months post activation, over time, it proved to be no longer beneficial (i.e. weak and distorted).

* Can you speak on phone when you are wearing CI?

Yes. In fact, I hear better on a cell phone than I do on a landline phone.

* Do you have experience with headache when you hear any loud stuff or just a soft sound as smooth?

I'm a migraine sufferer (always had them before getting my CIs). However, ever since my CI surgeries, I haven't experienced as many migraines as I have in the past. Sometimes I still have migraines when I'm exposed to loud or very high pitched sounds, but the overall number of migraines that I have are much less frequent than they were pre-CI.

* After you get activated the device. How long it will be heal your surgery?

Healing takes 4 weeks. Activation usually takes place after the scar has had a chance to heal.

For my first surgery, it took a week for me to fully recover.

For my second surgery, it took about two weeks.

i

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overthepond

As written in Pink (just for you Pinky!)

That's good. Thank you for answer the questions. Yes, you remember I told you about I have usher syndrome as Retina disease. My mom and my husband offer me to get two because of my vision problem.

I need to practice with speak and lipreading skill more. My husband will call to my old teacher about speech therapy.

Can you hear the music? Do you understand the words? I am telling you what? My dog's voice is very high pitch.

Almyra · 10-31-2008, 12:30 PM

Riley hosp had me wait several months for my evaluation also. Then another two months for surgery date. It was about five weeks for my insurance to authorize cochlear implants, but only one. Not two.

The wait is long. I used my time to send away for packages from Cochlear America, Med-El & Advanced Bioincs, join their forums (and this one). At the evaluation they want you to decide which brand you want either right then or within a few days. Now I am only six weeks away from surgery. Yay.

You say your appointment is at Riley. Is your doctor Dr Miyamoto?

- Almyra

overthepond · 10-31-2008, 12:34 PM

I can tell different music intruments, not the voice yet, I know that there is voice involved but i cannot follow. I need to print some Lyrics and get started on listening to voices.
Yeah my dog's squeaks at high pitch Pre CI i couldn't hear it now i can. also Him Barking! I can hear him walking on tiles also i heard my cat who makes high pitch meow for the first time with CI which is amazing and i had her for 14 years!

Hear Again · 10-31-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almyra

Riley hosp had me wait several months for my evaluation also. Then another two months for surgery date. It was about five weeks for my insurance to authorize cochlear implants, but only one. Not two.

The wait is long. I used my time to send away for packages from Cochlear America, Med-El & Advanced Bioincs, join their forums (and this one). At the evaluation they want you to decide which brand you want either right then or within a few days. Now I am only six weeks away from surgery. Yay.

You say your appointment is at Riley. Is your doctor Dr Miyamoto?

- Almyra

At my CI center, I didn't have to decide which CI brand I wanted until a week before surgery (and my entire CI evaluation took 6 months to complete due to testing equipment malfunction).

In my case, my CI evaluation took place within a month after submitting my audiogram and CI application.

vallee · 10-31-2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~♥~Pinky~♥~

* Why do you wanted to hear both ears than one? I have two cochlear implants. I don't have any vision concerns(I wear contacts). I just believe in two ears - two implants.

* Can you speak on phone when you are wearing CI?Yes, I am working back to the phone. I haven't used the phone much in 20 years.

* Do you have experience with headache when you hear any loud stuff or just a soft sound as smooth? no, sound is not painful. Very different then a hearing aid.

* After you get activated the device. How long it will be heal your surgery?

3 weeks for activation and I was back at work in 5 days.

Every one is different.

Macian · 10-31-2008, 08:20 PM

I beat ye vallee, i got implanted on friday and was back at work on tuesday, lol albeit very wobbly, but as i work for myslef if i dont work i dont earn.

funny readign your posts, when i went for swtich on, i chose a silver processor,basically as i dotn give a s*** who sees it, but my wife and son said go for the brown one same colour as my hair(what ive got left) i deliberated and decided to go with them, but i wish i had got silver, i realy couldnt care less who saw it, nor am i embarrassed about it.

good luck with yours pinky, i am still learning to hear with it, very early days yet, but if you want to ask me anything just pm and i will try me best to help.

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almyra

Riley hosp had me wait several months for my evaluation also. Then another two months for surgery date. It was about five weeks for my insurance to authorize cochlear implants, but only one. Not two.

The wait is long. I used my time to send away for packages from Cochlear America, Med-El & Advanced Bioincs, join their forums (and this one). At the evaluation they want you to decide which brand you want either right then or within a few days. Now I am only six weeks away from surgery. Yay.

You say your appointment is at Riley. Is your doctor Dr Miyamoto?

- Almyra

I don't live in Indianapolis now. I did call to ENT in my hometown. I used to live in Indy for 2 years in 1998 to 2000 I know who is Dr. Miyamoto. I got got loan a hearing aid at Riley. When I was 18 years old. He offered me to get CI. I used to be against CI because I was in deaf school. I changed my mind. I want to get CI. I need to find doctor's number if you have it. Please PM me. That's good idea to make a choice for CI brand I want. That's cool! I didn't like my old audiologist picked a wrong brand of hearing aids for my style. I am glad that I can pick a brand of CI over HA. I have to get one implant for now. I can get second next few years later. I don't want to get both in same time. Because of tinnitus you know. You can PM me.

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vallee

3 weeks for activation and I was back at work in 5 days.

Every one is different.

It's very interesting. It's not bad about get heal in few weeks than a months. How about if you were sick when you wear a CI? For example, cold, flu, ear infection, sore throat and mirgaine when you're wear? Is that normal or feel different from implanted?

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overthepond

I can tell different music intruments, not the voice yet, I know that there is voice involved but i cannot follow. I need to print some Lyrics and get started on listening to voices.
Yeah my dog's squeaks at high pitch Pre CI i couldn't hear it now i can. also Him Barking! I can hear him walking on tiles also i heard my cat who makes high pitch meow for the first time with CI which is amazing and i had her for 14 years!

That's awesome! Do you understand the music when you listening? Yes, I read your blog about dog and cat's high pitch. I can't wait to hear my dog's barking and whimper.

I am looking forward to hear my dad's played a guitar and sing on band. I still have his old tape cassettes. I need to copy into CD to listen. Also he used to work at radio station. I want to listen his radio. He was a humor of sense. I can't want to listen. It will make my life change since I have CI. My husband and our family are supports me.

etalton · 10-31-2008, 09:40 PM

Pinky, you said your husband has Tricare. Do you know which one? If it is Tricare prime, the most you would have to pay is $3000, your catastrophic cap for one fiscal year. Depending on when your surgery would be, that could be greatly reduced if you have had other medical charges.Tricare's new fiscal year just started October 1st.
I just don't know how that works with medicare. Perhaps someone else will know how medicare works with secondary insurance....
Good luck with your journey...

Pinky · 10-31-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etalton

Pinky, you said your husband has Tricare. Do you know which one? If it is Tricare prime, the most you would have to pay is $3000, your catastrophic cap for one fiscal year. Depending on when your surgery would be, that could be greatly reduced if you have had other medical charges.Tricare's new fiscal year just started October 1st.
I just don't know how that works with medicare. Perhaps someone else will know how medicare works with secondary insurance....
Good luck with your journey...

I did sign up the Tricare for health care on form last Aug. Because my husband and I just married last June. I am waiting for mail to come soon.

Hear Again · 10-31-2008, 10:11 PM

From what I understand, Medicare will pay up to 80% for the cost of a CI while the remaining 20% is covered by secondary insurance.

10-31-2008, 01:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pinky I'm proud to have CI!!!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5,414	My future CI plan I decide to make my own thread since I got many posts about my future CI. I don't want to topic off at threads. I am going to call ENT about CI evaluation on Monday. I want to make a journey. I can ask you many questions and ask me everything. I want to learn from your experience. __________________ I'm going to be mommy!!! My baby's gender is unknown yet. LEFT: Implanted: 6/12/09 Activated: 7/7/09 Freedom

10-31-2008, 01:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,067 Blog Entries: 6	Good luck with your CI journey, Pinky. By the way, did you see my post in the "Are You Wearing HA, CI or Never?" thread which listed a website where you can find CI centers in Indiana? Just thought I'd let you know in case you missed it. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

10-31-2008, 06:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
vallee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,212	Good luck, it is an amazing journey. __________________ Right and Left Implanted July 19, 2007 Activated August 9, 2007 Both Advanced Bionics Harmony

10-31-2008, 06:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
*~SG~* Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Western Australia Posts: 5,261	Good luck with your CI journey. __________________

10-31-2008, 09:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,067 Blog Entries: 6	Pinky, Both Tricare and Medicare cover CIs. If I'm not mistaken, Medicare pays for 80% of the total cost for CI. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

Today
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10-31-2008, 03:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
overthepond Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Great Britain Posts: 1,271	Good Luck Pinks, Any question just fire away... ok..

10-31-2008, 09:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
Pinky I'm proud to have CI!!!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5,414	I let you know. I called to ENT for CI evaluation schedule. The person said not until Feb or March. They put my names on list. I can't wait until Feb or March. The person said will call us for schedule in 2 to 3 months. __________________ I'm going to be mommy!!! My baby's gender is unknown yet. LEFT: Implanted: 6/12/09 Activated: 7/7/09 Freedom

10-31-2008, 10:41 AM	#11 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,067 Blog Entries: 6	Pinky, You're welcome! Both of my CIs (Freedom) are black. However, I also have two older processors (known as the 3G) where I can change the bottom compartment to one of 12 different colors. I have them all marked in Braille on the underside of the plastic so I can color coordinate my wardrobe with my processors. AB Harmony has all kinds of neat color combinations. I think you'll be quite happy with the choice of colors that they offer. What is your question for me? __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

10-31-2008, 10:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
Liebling:-))) Sussi 7.7.86 - 18.6.09 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 30,970	Wish you best of good luck to focus on CI and your future. __________________

10-31-2008, 12:30 PM	#20 (permalink)
Almyra Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 53	Riley hosp had me wait several months for my evaluation also. Then another two months for surgery date. It was about five weeks for my insurance to authorize cochlear implants, but only one. Not two. The wait is long. I used my time to send away for packages from Cochlear America, Med-El & Advanced Bioincs, join their forums (and this one). At the evaluation they want you to decide which brand you want either right then or within a few days. Now I am only six weeks away from surgery. Yay. You say your appointment is at Riley. Is your doctor Dr Miyamoto? - Almyra Last edited by Almyra; 10-31-2008 at 12:31 PM. Reason: Edited for clarity

10-31-2008, 12:34 PM	#21 (permalink)
overthepond Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Great Britain Posts: 1,271	I can tell different music intruments, not the voice yet, I know that there is voice involved but i cannot follow. I need to print some Lyrics and get started on listening to voices. Yeah my dog's squeaks at high pitch Pre CI i couldn't hear it now i can. also Him Barking! I can hear him walking on tiles also i heard my cat who makes high pitch meow for the first time with CI which is amazing and i had her for 14 years!

10-31-2008, 08:20 PM	#24 (permalink)
Macian Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 570	I beat ye vallee, i got implanted on friday and was back at work on tuesday, lol albeit very wobbly, but as i work for myslef if i dont work i dont earn. funny readign your posts, when i went for swtich on, i chose a silver processor,basically as i dotn give a s*** who sees it, but my wife and son said go for the brown one same colour as my hair(what ive got left) i deliberated and decided to go with them, but i wish i had got silver, i realy couldnt care less who saw it, nor am i embarrassed about it. good luck with yours pinky, i am still learning to hear with it, very early days yet, but if you want to ask me anything just pm and i will try me best to help.

10-31-2008, 09:40 PM	#28 (permalink)
etalton Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern North Carolina Posts: 769	Pinky, you said your husband has Tricare. Do you know which one? If it is Tricare prime, the most you would have to pay is $3000, your catastrophic cap for one fiscal year. Depending on when your surgery would be, that could be greatly reduced if you have had other medical charges.Tricare's new fiscal year just started October 1st. I just don't know how that works with medicare. Perhaps someone else will know how medicare works with secondary insurance.... Good luck with your journey... __________________ E.T. Left Ear Implanted 11-07-08 (Nucleus Freedom) Activation 12-18-08 http://et-mybionicjourney.blogspot.com/

10-31-2008, 10:11 PM	#30 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,067 Blog Entries: 6	From what I understand, Medicare will pay up to 80% for the cost of a CI while the remaining 20% is covered by secondary insurance. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

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