What would YOU do?

Hey, everybuddieeee.

I just came from my CI specialists...in the city.

I was pretty much attacked by the head audiologist as soon as she saw me. She pulled me aside and said, "Let's have a discussion." (God, I tell you, my stomach did quite a few somersaults...this didn't sound good, ya know?) But I said..."Ooooohkay." We went into her office, and we talked...

Since I have surgery scheduled for 3/29th to remove the positioner, they suggested to me this afternoon that since the doctor is going in anyway, why not replace the hardware as well? Since I have an Advanced Bionics model in there already, they're suggesting that they remove that and put in a Nucleus 24. The latest and the newest model, of course. The recovery would be the same since my head has already been drilled, etc...I should be back on my feet within a few days.

So...you know, at this point, like I said before, I'm shrugging a lot and saying to myself, "Whatever, what more do I have to lose??" Truthfully there really isn't much...my auditory training has been at a standstill for over a year now and I'm not getting the full benefits out of the implant...which is another reason that they'd like to try replacing the old one with a new model...

So...ehhh...I'm thinking, let 'em do it...? Any thoughts on this? Thanks for listening to me, guys, I completely appreciate it!

Malfoyish

Hey Malfoyish!..

I'm glad you came here and share us about your appt today....I was wondering about that....I'm very glad to hear that it went quite well for ya!...

I do have one question since U know me Im not that ' Brilliant ' when it come to talking about CI.... ....Anyways, My question is will it do any damage to your nerves or whatsoever when they replace the old model to the new model?...and Will it help you be able to hear more even thru u already went thru this surgery?...

Forgive me if I ask such a stupid questions!....

^Angel^ said:

Hey Malfoyish!..

I'm glad you came here and share us about your appt today....I was wondering about that....I'm very glad to hear that it went quite well for ya!...

I do have one question since U know me Im not that ' Brilliant ' when it come to talking about CI.... ....Anyways, My question is will it do any damage to your nerves or whatsoever when they replace the old model to the new model?...and Will it help you be able to hear more even thru u already went thru this surgery?...

Forgive me if I ask such a stupid questions!....

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No question is stupid, my dear friend. But no, they don't anticipate any problems concerning the nerves...they will simply be replacing the electrodes with new ones, and the "magnetic" piece...and of course, the old earpiece I wear behind the ear will be replaced with a different one.

:::hugs for Angel:::

That's kewl! I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST! *hugs*

I hope that things work out better for you this time!

Breezy said:

That's kewl! I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST! *hugs*

I hope that things work out better for you this time!

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Awww ***hugs*** Thank you, Breezy. That's so kind of you to say!

Malfoyish said:

No question is stupid, my dear friend. But no, they don't anticipate any problems concerning the nerves...they will simply be replacing the electrodes with new ones, and the "magnetic" piece...and of course, the old earpiece I wear behind the ear will be replaced with a different one.

:::hugs for Angel:::

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ahh I didn't see this thread after I sent a replay to your pm again, why not have them put in newest AB internal implant called HiRes 90K they are similar design to Cochlear's but without positioner though.. but again, why remove it when it is still working and you are fully recovered.. hmm the newer HiRes 90K internal implant will continue to work with your existing earpiece (BTE or BWP) and have them give you the newest BTE called Auria. with Hi-Resolution sound program

check this url for all information on what I mentioned: http://bionicear.com

Hope you have a good "sleep on it" over the weekend

i ask u, is this CI help u to hear ?? just wondering...

Malfoyish, I was bored and looking through the Yahoo! Groups and found one for you! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProblemCI/
Maybe some of the people there may have had simlair issues as you.
Boult, I'm pretty neutral on CI, but in Malfoyish's case her failure might not be due to not having the latest technology. Malfoy, weren't you implanted kind of recently? On the other hand, reimplantation does seem to be an issue that comes up for some people. Maybe you could join a couple of listservs and see if anyone has ever had the same issues that you're experiancing.
I remember you saying that you were one of those really ambigous cases, and that hearing aids gave you a lot of benifit. Ask yourself if you liked hearing aids or CI better

my auditory training has been at a standstill for over a year now and I'm not getting the full benefits out of the implant.

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Can you hear more then with your aids? Make a list of the pros and cons about the hearing aids vs. the CI, and maybe that will help you. That's what I always suggest that people who are trying out different makes and modles of hearing aids do to figure out what hearing aid they like best. (digitals and dinky aids aren't always the best type of aids!)

I would definitely have another model implanted. You haven't been very pleased with the results of your current device. I have not done much looking into cochlears (I'm just barely starting to consider being screened for one) but I believe I've heard that the nucleus 24 is a pretty good model, apparently the way the device is fashioned is designed to give you better contact with the hair cells thus ensuring better auditory reception. (Supposedly) Do what you feel would serve you best, but if the decision were mine, I'd try a different manufacturer/product.

Boult, I'm pretty neutral on CI, but in Malfoyish's case her failure might not be due to not having the latest technology.

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I do not care if you say "I'm pretty neutral on CI" just get to point! Now, what are you talking about? Please read her other thread "Update - again"

Saline Eyes said:

I would definitely have another model implanted. You haven't been very pleased with the results of your current device. I have not done much looking into cochlears (I'm just barely starting to consider being screened for one) but I believe I've heard that the nucleus 24 is a pretty good model, apparently the way the device is fashioned is designed to give you better contact with the hair cells thus ensuring better auditory reception. (Supposedly) Do what you feel would serve you best, but if the decision were mine, I'd try a different manufacturer/product.

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saline eyes, electrode does not rely on hair cell in cochlea.. in cochlear's design, it does curl so it hug the wall of cochlea for closer contact with auditory nerve. since in most of deafness cases, hair cells are damaged or missing, so therefore cochlear implant are designed to send electronic signals to auditory nerve (8th cranial nerves) without needing to use the cilla (hair cells) and some cases, cochlea may be ossified and hair cells missing beyond repairs so electrode of a implant only need a working and intact auditory nerve going from cochlea to brain.

Boult, I know some people have had to be reimplanted due to the fact that their orginal CI wasn't very technologically advanced. (probaly due to the fact that their CIs were first or second generation) However, Malfoy, got implanted pretty recently (if I recall correctly) so it is possible that her experiance wasn't due to unsophisticated technology. Do you understand now? She's posted at other places, and apparently she was a VERY VERY ambigious canidate. Has it occurred to you that maybe just maybe there ARE people out there who prefer hearing aids over CI? I know many people love their CIs, but that doesn't mean everyone does!

Hmmmmm, maybe I'm talking thru a hole(pun unintended) in my head but I thought once one has a CI and later has it removed, one could not go back to the hearing aid cos of the loss of hair cells.....if that's still true, then discussing the pros and cons of a CI vs a hearing aid is a bit moot, don't you think? Mayfoyish hasn't much time left till 3/29 so let her listen to folks who know what they are talking about, people like Boult. Mal have you met Sherry over at **********2.com? She and Boult are very knowledgeable about such things and not pushy people, especially Sherry. Why not post your query over there and other suggested places and see what ya come up with?

Best to you............

Boult said:

saline eyes, electrode does not rely on hair cell in cochlea.. in cochlear's design, it does curl so it hug the wall of cochlea for closer contact with auditory nerve. since in most of deafness cases, hair cells are damaged or missing, so therefore cochlear implant are designed to send electronic signals to auditory nerve (8th cranial nerves) without needing to use the cilla (hair cells) and some cases, cochlea may be ossified and hair cells missing beyond repairs so electrode of a implant only need a working and intact auditory nerve going from cochlea to brain.

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As I stated, I don't know much about cochlears. I stand corrected, although the "curling" of the nucleus 24's device is more or less what I was trying to say was supposed to be superior to other models.

deafdyke said:

Boult, I know some people have had to be reimplanted due to the fact that their orginal CI wasn't very technologically advanced. (probaly due to the fact that their CIs were first or second generation) However, Malfoy, got implanted pretty recently (if I recall correctly) so it is possible that her experiance wasn't due to unsophisticated technology. Do you understand now? She's posted at other places, and apparently she was a VERY VERY ambigious canidate. Has it occurred to you that maybe just maybe there ARE people out there who prefer hearing aids over CI? I know many people love their CIs, but that doesn't mean everyone does!

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READ her thread HERE IN AD called "Updates - again" you will see her saying when she get it and why.. blah blah.. I am not talking about other forum.. I am talking about HERE in AD!!

What she had was a Clarion CII w/ HiFocus II ( <- this has a positioner ) made by Advanced Bionics. Currently HiRes 90k implant use the SAME technology as CII implant but w/ HiFocus I not II meaning without positioner. The difference is casing designs and it is still superior because it use DSP technology (digital signal processor as opposed to fixed processor used by Cochlear corps) I am aware of HER situation and she and I have pm'ed each other on her status. Her surgery on 3/29 is for removing her current implant and she hasn't decided to be re-implanted with other brand, Nucleus 24. That's why I say read her thread "Updates -again" to understand her situations.

"very very ambiguous candidate" huh? as I recall it means wishy washy or uncertain.. read her other thread again. She stated why she wanted one!

What are you driving the point to with last two sentences???? Where did I talk about hearing aids in this thread?

TweetyBird said:

i ask u, is this CI help u to hear ?? just wondering...

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It does help me to hear certain things that I have never heard before, Tweety. I remember - when they first turned it on and I went home...we ordered pizza to celebrate...and well, my mom opened up the soda...a new bottle...and I REMEMBER THIS...I heard the air escaping from the bottle...and I said to myself..."Whoa!!!! That makes noise???"

But yes, it does help me hear things that I wouldn't hear with HA's...and I do appreciate the fact...but sometimes I wish I'd left well enough alone...but there's no turning back, eh??? Guess all I can say is - you have to be able to withstand the training and the therapy involved...because the way I look at it is - if you are hearing, you hear these things all the time...and if you've got a cochlear implant, it's kind of like being an infant and learning everything - all at once...

Malfoyish

Wow...first of all...THANK YOU SO MUCH - TO ALL OF YOU.... *big hugs*

I will try to answer all questions, but if I forget, please, PLEASE me in the head and remind me.

Deafdyke, I was implanted in April 2002...and yes, I was functioning well enough with hearing aids, but there was still so much that I was missing. I was raising three kids, and it was getting to the point where I was always wondering, always seemed to be missing half (if not more) of what was going on...so...I jumped the gun and had the implant done. But you are absolutely right...I was very very easily swayed by doctors and family...and they did influence my decision more than they realize. But eh...what can I do? Hearing aids would no longer work in my right ear, but I am going to start wearing my left aid again, in addition to the implant. Thanks so much for the link! You have been very nice to me and I appreciate it.

Saline Eyes...thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to go ahead and let them put in the newer and different model. I don't think I have a lot more to lose...and maybe, just maybe it will benefit me more than the AB model I have now. And yeah, like you said...it's a different product...a different manufacturer...so maybe I'll have better luck?

Tousi - no, I don't know Sherrie, but I've had the pleasure of talking to Boult. He's been very helpful. *hugs* Thank you for taking the time to help me out with this situation...but really, everyone has an opinion on this, whether they have a CI or not, and I want to hear them all...call me selfish if you wish...but hey, I'm really trying to give this as much thought as possible.

Again, thank all of you for putting up with me. Remember, if I forgot to respond to you, just give me a yell...I want to get as many thoughts on this as I can...from both worlds.

Malfoyish

Saline Eyes said:

I would definitely have another model implanted. You haven't been very pleased with the results of your current device. I have not done much looking into cochlears (I'm just barely starting to consider being screened for one) but I believe I've heard that the nucleus 24 is a pretty good model, apparently the way the device is fashioned is designed to give you better contact with the hair cells thus ensuring better auditory reception. (Supposedly) Do what you feel would serve you best, but if the decision were mine, I'd try a different manufacturer/product.

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It was interesting to see that you say that the Nucleus24 is supposedly to be the better model -- that's the model I have now...and am very pleased on the progress I'm making in understanding spoken speech and so forth. Although, I'm still struggling with using the phone, I still get a lot out of it with talking with people in person.
That reminds me...I have to make an appointment to see my audie soon as I need a new map. The current 2 maps I have on my processor are over 6 months old. I'm doing very well with one map, getting at least more than half of spoken speech without looking directly at the person or having captions turned on on the TV. On the other map, I get less comphrency levels.

I realise that C.I.'s won't work on EVERY deaf person/child who receive them. It really varies from person to person.

Oh, I forgot to add that the N-22 and N-24 models were pioneered by Dr. Graeme Clark at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia where I received mine. He was the one who created the cochlear implant in the '60's-'70's. I don't know if anyone realises this, smile.
I even met the man once just before I had the operation.

Malfoyish said:

Wow...first of all...THANK YOU SO MUCH - TO ALL OF YOU.... *big hugs*

I will try to answer all questions, but if I forget, please, PLEASE me in the head and remind me.

Deafdyke, I was implanted in April 2002...and yes, I was functioning well enough with hearing aids, but there was still so much that I was missing. I was raising three kids, and it was getting to the point where I was always wondering, always seemed to be missing half (if not more) of what was going on...so...I jumped the gun and had the implant done. But you are absolutely right...I was very very easily swayed by doctors and family...and they did influence my decision more than they realize. But eh...what can I do? Hearing aids would no longer work in my right ear, but I am going to start wearing my left aid again, in addition to the implant. Thanks so much for the link! You have been very nice to me and I appreciate it.

Saline Eyes...thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to go ahead and let them put in the newer and different model. I don't think I have a lot more to lose...and maybe, just maybe it will benefit me more than the AB model I have now. And yeah, like you said...it's a different product...a different manufacturer...so maybe I'll have better luck?

Tousi - no, I don't know Sherrie, but I've had the pleasure of talking to Boult. He's been very helpful. *hugs* Thank you for taking the time to help me out with this situation...

Again, thank all of you for putting up with me. Remember, if I forgot to respond to you, just give me a yell...I want to get as many thoughts on this as I can...from both worlds.

Malfoyish

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Awesome, Malfoyish, I'm glad you're getting some good feedback from Boult and interest from others. I don't know much about CI, but I wish all the best to you if you decide on getting it! You're pretty brave, girl.

WaterRats13 said:

It was interesting to see that you say that the Nucleus24 is supposedly to be the better model -- that's the model I have now...and am very pleased on the progress I'm making in understanding spoken speech and so forth. Although, I'm still struggling with using the phone, I still get a lot out of it with talking with people in person.
That reminds me...I have to make an appointment to see my audie soon as I need a new map. The current 2 maps I have on my processor are over 6 months old. I'm doing very well with one map, getting at least more than half of spoken speech without looking directly at the person or having captions turned on on the TV. On the other map, I get less comphrency levels.

I realise that C.I.'s won't work on EVERY deaf person/child who receive them. It really varies from person to person.

Oh, I forgot to add that the N-22 and N-24 models were pioneered by Dr. Graeme Clark at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia where I received mine. He was the one who created the cochlear implant in the '60's-'70's. I don't know if anyone realises this, smile.
I even met the man once just before I had the operation.

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That is awesome! I must confess, I've been giving this some thought as well. If only I didn't hate needles and the sight of blood... **shudders**