Let's see if 70% is right...CI's only

Are you happy with your CI?

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faire_jour

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Deafdude claims less than 70% of people are happy with their CI's. Let's see if he is right.

Please do NOT vote if you do not have a CI.
 
Yup from reading the comments, blogs and case studies of others with a CI. Some of them hear worse than HAs, others still don't understand any speech, still others experience complications from CI such as headaches, infections, swelling, numbness, etc.
CIs are a real risk starting with the surgery/operation required for implantation.
 
deafdude1 said:
Yup from reading the comments, blogs and case studies of others with a CI. Some of them hear worse than HAs, others still don't understand any speech, still others experience complications from CI such as headaches, infections, swelling, numbness, etc.
CIs are a real risk starting with the surgery/operation required for implantation.
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Can you site any of this? Show us the links to the blogs and case studies? I would LOVE to see a study that shows that even a small number of people who are implanted perform worse than they did with hearing aids. I think that would be a VERY important study for parents of young deaf children to see.
 
I can't cite anything myself, but my CI audi (I ended up not getting one) told me that 90% of their CI patients are satisfied-to-happy with their CIs, and the other 10% are unhappy or unsatisfied in that they didn't think they experienced any improvement. She said their audiograms show 96% show improvement over their HAs, so realistically there should only be 4% that are unhappy, but it's 10% according to patient feedback.
 
faire_jour said:
Can you site any of this? Show us the links to the blogs and case studies? I would LOVE to see a study that shows that even a small number of people who are implanted perform worse than they did with hearing aids. I think that would be a VERY important study for parents of young deaf children to see.
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It is not abnormal to hear someone complain like the following:

1. I used to wear two hearing aids, but after a while, they were useless so I stopped wearing them.
2. I have a cochlear implant but it does not work. I really had high hopes for the implant based upon what other people have told me about them.
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Cochlear Implants - Effectiveness of Cochlear Implants and Hearing Aids

Here is a quote and a link to one.
 
faire_jour said:
Can you site any of this? Show us the links to the blogs and case studies? I would LOVE to see a study that shows that even a small number of people who are implanted perform worse than they did with hearing aids. I think that would be a VERY important study for parents of young deaf children to see.
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Here's another statement from an implantee.

Disadvantages of Cochlear Implants

* Environmental & practical living issues

* static: radar detector, playgrounds, trampolines, computers, carpeting
* pressure: some recommended restrictions such as scuba diving
* magnetic: suggested MRI restriction
* trauma: some restrictions from rough sports such as football

* Surgical issues

* staph infection (low risk)
* vertigo (low risk)
* tinnitus, may get worse or improve (low risk)
* partial facial nerve paralysis (low risk and if occurs, is typically temporary)
* competency of surgeon
* if complications, then travel time/cost enter the equation for follow-up care

* Insurance and cost issues:

* if inadequate insurance, medical costs and device are expensive
* processor and accessories are expensive
* securing approval from health policy may be time-consuming and aggravating

* Less control over prosthetic device, i.e., once a manufacturer’s device is implanted, the implantee has no option but to remain with that device for life, unless the device fails or the implantee elects to pay for another surgery/device.

* Loud buzzing sound when implant user is within close proximity to neon lights; interferes with speech signal

* Programming issues: dependent on mapper/audiologist

* travel and time costs if mapper is not in child’s area
* mapping session is time-consuming, boring, and can be expensive
* should be re-programmed annually (more often for young children)
* programming is not always easy, especially for establishing the comfort levels
* changing from one program to another oftentimes involves a temporary setback in one’s discrimination
* adapting to a change in strategies is difficult for many people
Click to expand...

Advantages & Disadvantages: Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants for Those with Severe Hearing Loss
 
faire_jour said:
Where did any of that say that you hear worse than with aids?
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First one talks about people who can't adjust and get use from CI>


Second mostly emphasizes inconvenience and potential hazards. There is more at the link but I didn't want to take too much space.
 
Bottesini said:
First one talks about people who can't adjust and get use from CI>


Second mostly emphasizes inconvenience and potential hazards. There is more at the link but I didn't want to take too much space.
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What I read talked about people with high expectations that get let down. It doesn't mean that they aren't hearing well, just that they aren't hearing as well as they thought they should be, because of other people's experiences.
 
Originally Posted by Bottesini
Quote:
It is not abnormal to hear someone complain like the following:

1. I used to wear two hearing aids, but after a while, they were useless so I stopped wearing them.
2. I have a cochlear implant but it does not work. I really had high hopes for the implant based upon what other people have told me about them.

I think the major reason why this person was disappointed with their CI was because their expectations were too high. As we like to say in the world of CIs, "high hopes, low expectations."

When my initial CI was activated, I had no expectations at all and went into my activation day with a sense of adventure. I was not disappointed. I was thrilled to be able to hear environmental sounds and I don't think I would have felt that way if I thought I would understand speech the moment my CI was turned on.
 
As far as the percentage of people who are happy with their CIs, I've heard 95% cited on a consistent basis.
 
deafdude,

CIs are no more risky than any other kind of surgery.

In fact, CI surgery is considered to be one of the safest kinds of outpatient surgery there is.

The incidence of headaches, etc. that you mentioned are rare. In my case, I have a 21 year history of migraines, but ever since I received my first CI, I don't have as many of them as I used to.
 
faire_jour said:
Deafdude claims less than 70% of people are happy with their CI's. Let's see if he is right.

Please do NOT vote if you do not have a CI.
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You personally didn't have a CI so you shouldn't vote for your daughter.
 
I'm sorry but I do have to agree with Buffalo, You said don't vote if you don't have a CI, but you voted for your daughter and she's not here to confirm that she's happy with her CI, You know? :)
 
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