![]() |
|
|
#91 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
overthepond- You're welcome. Thank you for the additional information.
BTW - I just got the most awesome news. My insurance covers Cochlear Implants 100% (if I decide to go that route) and I'll be able to go after at least one. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited. I can't wait to see what I find out on Monday at my latest audiogram. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com |
|
|
|
#93 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
Okay, this can't be healthy. LOL. I've become literally obsessed. I'm performing research day and night on this stuff when I'm not at work. The results people seemed to have obtained with their CIs are pretty incredible. To think I may actually hear and understand out of my left ear after 25 years. Well, I know the results will vary greatly between individuals, and I may not have the same, but the fact that people are actually getting these results are very promising. I know it's too early to see exactly WHAT kind of results I will get...I'm just excited about the possibilities.
I'm trying not to get too excited this early in the process...not until I'm sure of how it will help. It's difficult, though. |
|
|
|
|
|
#94 (permalink) | |
|
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,202
|
Quote:
Have you been reading about the different brands and the different hearing aids? What are you leaning towards? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#95 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
faire_jour - For HAs, I've been leaning towards Oticon and Phonak. I discussed both with my audie during my last visit and they stopped selling Oticons a few years ago, but they still sell Phonaks. I'm seriously considering the Phonak Naidas as my audie's a big fan of them. His only concern is that I would only be able to pick up environmental sounds out of my dead ear, which is why he got seriously excited when I mentioned CIs because of their capabilities for helping my dead ear *significantly.*
For CIs, if I go that route, I'm leaning towards Advanced Bionics. Reason why is the amount of stimulation from the 16 electrodes firing at the same time vs. 24 (I hope I remember that right) electrodes from Cochlear firing alternately. For some reason with what I've read about Advanced Bionics vs. Cochlear they seem to be the one that I want to go with. I'll know more tomorrow afternoon and I'll be able to finally make a decision! The anticipation is driving me nuts!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
#96 (permalink) | |
|
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,202
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#98 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
faire_jour - How's that combo working for her? Are there any problems with one side being a CI and the other being an HA? Any plans for her to go bilateral?
overthepond- I know. I'm purposely keeping my expectations low for that reason. Unfortunately, with this stuff happening it's kind of too exciting to ignore. But I'm trying my darndest. LOL |
|
|
|
|
|
#100 (permalink) | |
|
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,202
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#101 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
Hear Again - Definitely. Only a few more hours!!!!
![]() faire_jour - How does her hearing in her left ear with the HA compare to the hearing in her CI ear? It somehow seems that she doesn't notice the hearing aid helping, which seems like the CI actually overpowers the HA. Is this accurate? |
|
|
|
|
|
#102 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
|
I'm not faire_jour, but in my case, my CI did overpower my hearing aid. It took about 6 months for that to happen, but my hearing eventually reached the point where I could no longer tell whether my hearing aid was on or off. I also was nearly hit by several vehicles I didn't hear on my right (nonimplanted) side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#103 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Great Britain
Posts: 2,024
|
Currently i have HA and CI on Audi request. I cannot hear a thing from the HA and don't know if it's working! Audi is getting me tested for more powerful HA (is there any for 120db loss!!) *Sighs* wish they would let me go bilateral but I am not eligble for 2 in this country.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#104 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
Latest audiogram results:
The situation's still the same: no hearing aid on the market will be able to help my left ear. We did the audiogram for my left ear and were able to get a tactile response but no auditory response. This means that there's nothing the latest HAs on the market can do. Well, time to check out and be evaluated for a Cochlear Implant. I'm hoping the evaluation presents me as a viable candidate. Even if it doesn't, at least I know I'll have tried. That still has to count for something right? |
|
|
|
|
|
#105 (permalink) | |
|
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,202
|
Quote:
hearing aid CI- 1 month post activation 250 -40 db 250 -25 db 500 -40 db 500 -15 db 1000-35 db 1000-15 db 2000-40 db 2000-25 db 4000-45 db 4000-15 db ----------- 6000-25 db |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#106 (permalink) | |
|
Registered User
|
Quote:
All the best to you with your CI evaluation! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#109 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
Hear Again - Yup!
Adam- I apologize for not being clear on the differences. Well, NEW update: I am set for Monday morning (23rd) to see my primary care physician for my insurance (who I haven't even seen for the first time yet since I got my new insurance a year ago...ROTFL). This is so that I can be referred to a CI clinic for my first evaluation...this way the insurance will take care of it so long as I follow through the steps accordingly. *sigh*...these week-long waits between progress moving forward are killing me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#110 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
|
Phi,
I know how you feel. My first CI evaluation took 6 months to complete due to testing equipment that had not come back from repair. I got tired of the constant stop-start cycle between being evaluated and having to wait. My first CI evaluation was in March of 2004 and my surgery was in December of that year. |
|
|
|
|
|
#111 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
Hear Again - Eeegads. So what's the typical length of time for evaluating the patient assuming equipment doesn't have to be repaired and such? What all is involved in the evaluation process? The web sites are not 100% clear on this part of the process it seems.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#112 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Great Britain
Posts: 2,024
|
My initial Appointment was Jan the 15th 2008 it Took most of the day
I had Audiology tests (with new HA's but used Old Ha's as the new ones weren't working properly) and test to test the function of ear drum = Tympanometry and visit to the consultant who would be my surgeon. He accepted me for full CI evaluation. Applying for PCT funding started. 18th Feb CT Scan 19th Feb Pneumococcal Vaccination 20th Feb User Group/device choice meeting (all day) 27th Feb Pre-implant OAE and ABR. Repeat Audiology Test (with 2nd pair of different brand HA's) SLT Pre Implant Assessment (all day) 17th March Expectations Appointment 18th April Approved for CI 13th May Repeat Audiology assessment (with another set brand HA's) 13th May Approved for Funding early June Date set for operation 16th July 23rd June Pre OP assessment at the private hospital 15th July Pre Op appointment with consultant 16th July Operation. Pretty quick as normally in Britian patients would wait as long 2 years. |
|
|
|
|
|
#113 (permalink) | |
|
Registered User
|
Quote:
My first CI evaluation began by seeing my CI audi for an interview, then a hearing test. After this, my next appointment was with the CI surgeon. My next appointment was for a CT scan. After that I was given an ABR (auditory brainstem response test) in which electrodes were placed on my head and my residual hearing tested. I then had to wait 8 weeks for Medicaid to approve surgery. My second CI evaluation was much faster. I was evaluated in October (meeting with CI surgeon, hearing test, CT scan). Medicaid approved surgery in December (I remember this because my CI surgeon sent me an e-mail wishing me a Merry Christmas with the good news) and was scheduled for surgery in February. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#114 (permalink) | |
|
Registered User
|
Quote:
(the audiogram i have on blog is from 6 months ago so of course theres some difference by now lol)
__________________
[Left Ear] Implanted 1/15/08 with Nucleus Freedom! Activated 2/12/08 with Freedom BTE Link for my Cochlear Implant http://skullchick.blogspot.com Link for my Blog unrelated to cochlear Implant http://skullchickworld.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#115 (permalink) |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 477
|
SkullChick- I'm in awe of the results of your CI. That's just incredible that you and others are experiencing these kinds of results...especially considering you hadn't heard anything out of that ear in 15 years. Just a question for you: how is the sound clarity compared with the ear that has the hearing aid?
For those with AB CI's: Also, just what IS the benefit of Advanced Bionics' 16 electrodes firing at once vs. Cochlear's 22 electrodes firing alternately? |
|
|
|
|
|
#117 (permalink) | |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Great Britain
Posts: 2,024
|
Quote:
3 months ago my CI sounded like HA's, I was told it's normal process of learning sounds. Now it's no way sounding like HA... Looks like I am on the right path now..... I am so excited to practice on the phone.... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#118 (permalink) | |
|
Registered User
|
Quote:
__________________
[Left Ear] Implanted 1/15/08 with Nucleus Freedom! Activated 2/12/08 with Freedom BTE Link for my Cochlear Implant http://skullchick.blogspot.com Link for my Blog unrelated to cochlear Implant http://skullchickworld.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#119 (permalink) | |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Las Vegas!
Posts: 880
|
Quote:
You can't just try a CI and see the difference. However, I've heard some bilateral have one AB and one Cochlear in the other. A couple would say AB sounds better, the rest says Cochlear sounds better. Unfortunately, what they don't really realize is that each ear hears differently. My left ear has a greater degree of hearing loss, but picks up a the lows much better. The right hears the high frequencies better, and better clarity. That's why it takes two to work together.
__________________
Missing my beloved cat, Blackjack, who died from battling with FIP. April 2008 - Feb. 5th, 2009. LEFT: Implanted: 1/10/08 Activated: 2/1/08 Freedom RIGHT: Implanted: 5/15/08 Activated: 6/13/08 Freedom http://cyborgqueen.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#120 (permalink) | |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Las Vegas!
Posts: 880
|
Quote:
I went to a CI audiologist and I got approved that same day. Probably because all the other tests were good, except for the hearing test and sentence discrimination (which was so poor). I lost 10 db in both ears within a couple years. This was in November. However, I had to wait until Jan 2nd to see my CI surgeon because of the new insurance that would cover for CI 100%. After I saw her, I had the surgery a week later. If I waited two weeks later, then I would have been a guest on the MTV: True Life: I am Deaf. Oh well. When I had the second one done, the surgeon set it up 3 days later (I emailed her two weeks ago asking if I can go bilateral, but she was in another country doing surgeries and examinations on any ENT cases). Since I already went through the process of vaccinations, MRI and all the other tests, the only thing I needed was blood test and EKG. She is not a primary CI surgeon, so that kind of made a difference. Good luck! I know what you mean by trying to keep the expectations low yet getting excited with all the information out there.
__________________
Missing my beloved cat, Blackjack, who died from battling with FIP. April 2008 - Feb. 5th, 2009. LEFT: Implanted: 1/10/08 Activated: 2/1/08 Freedom RIGHT: Implanted: 5/15/08 Activated: 6/13/08 Freedom http://cyborgqueen.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
|
![]() |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|