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Actual device failure rates are quite low. A large study published in 2005 by the University of Michigan found that 5.1 percent of their surgeries are revision surgeries, that is, to replace an existing device and less than half of those were for internal electrode failure, which means over...

AFAIK, the risk of meningitis from CIs are from two primary sources: 1) people with malformed cochleas (regardless of whether or not they have CIs) are at a higher risk of meningitis due to the malformation, and 2) penetration of the dura during implant surgery. Since the Envoy isn't placed...

Tinnitus relief from CIs (I posted this originally on answers.yahoo.com) From what I've heard, people with existing tinnitus frequently experience improvement in the tinnitus after implantation. The American Tinnitus Association says 1/2 of CI patients who had tinnitus before implantation...

You may be able to continue your insurance through COBRA after you are too old for your parents plan. Whatever you do, do NOT go uninsured. Once you have a gap in your insurance, pre-existing condition limits kick in even with group plans where once you do get new group coverage, you may have...

As others have so eloquently stated, get a new audiologist. I think it is generally accepted that people who are pre-lingually deafened adults do not have the sale terrific results with CIs as infants. But that doesn't mean that pre-lingually deafened adults can't get good results, it is just...

Different issues for different folks. Kids with progressive losses sometimes get lost between the hearing and deaf worlds. I'm maybe extra sensitive to that since my daughter falls into that category. This occurs with CMV, EVAS and several other etiologies that I'm sure I can think of if I...

Insurers Obligations Insurers are not obligated to approve coverage for the facility that you want, they are only obligated to provide you with a competent provider in a reasonable period of time. If the only provider is not competent (for example, CI audie who doesn't treat many children, or...

Oops, sorry I just re-read your signature and noticed "deafblind" for the first time. So red isn't going to help you. But maybe some type of raised dot or rough sandpaper or velcro type stick-on would. Sheri

Mismatching processors One hint to avoid doing mismatching the processors -- put a little red dot of nail polish on your right processor. "R"ed is "R"ight. I never play favorites with implant companies, but I believe the AB device does not allow you to mis-match the processors which would...

Approval for bilateral Congratulations. If you wouldn't mind mailing me off-line with who your insurer was and what state you are in, if it is one our appeals program hasn't dealt with before, we would really appreciate a copy of your approval letter so we can possibly use it in the future (we...

I am only aware of one insurer that attempts to delineate between children and adults in coverage for bilateral CIs. Blue Cross of TN has an unpublished policy that they admitted to in my last appeal that they will cover children under 5 but not adults. Our foundation is in the middle...

We aren't doing cochlear implant processor upgrade appeals yet. We were initially hoping to start doing them on December 4th, but that's before all the funding hassles got in the way. Check on our website around Xmas Sheri

We are back to taking applications from everyone, after a very stressful 3 weeks where I had to say no to lots of really deserving people. Please help get the word out that the LTHF Insurance Advocacy Program is fully back in business ! I've done an Aetna case in Missouri before, so that...

This will be posted to our web site tonight To apply, go to advocacy.letthemhear.org and click on "application for advocacy" New applications are reviewed on Tuesdays and Fridays at 3 pm PST Sheri --------------------------------- For a short period of time, due to funding...

For a summary of research and survey data on bilateral implantation, visit Let Them Hear Foundation :: Advocacy Disclaimer: I'm the director of the program in question, so yes, I am biased in posting this, but I believe it is very useful information regardless of which manufacturer you...

Cochlear's insurance advocacy program Cochlear has had their own insurance advocacy program for some time, it is called OMS. The person I know the best with that program is Linda Scott, and you can reach her through the general Cochlear toll-free # which is 800 523-5798 Unfortunately, LTHF...

Insurance Coverage for Bilateral CIs Hi, I'm new to this forum, but I have a Google-bot that spotted some language in this thread on bilateral CIs and insurance coverage and I thought I would drop my $.02 in since that is all I do. I'm the director of the Let Them Hear Foundation Insurance...