Ear implants for the deaf with no strings attached

[inmate23]

It's all the frame of "making one as close as a hearing person as possible".

oralism at its sad core

I see it as "giving people options".

Giving parents options not people

Not when parents are being pressured to implant their deaf babies asap and being discouraged from using sign language to their children.

PFH knows what he is talking about.

 

[dogmom]

I see what PFH, Shel, Bebonang and others mean-

 

[StSapphire]

I wouldn't want to hear 24/7...I would rather have the option of going deaf whenever I feel like it especially when my son had his terrible twos tantrums.

Do they make implants for hearing people so that I can turn off my hearing at will, too? If so, sign me up, please.

Not when parents are being pressured to implant their deaf babies asap and being discouraged from using sign language to their children.

PFH knows what he is talking about.

It's all about the Benjamins...

 

[GrendelQ]

This is one of the most common requests from deaf kids with CIs to the CI companies, enabling them to simultaneously hear and participate in sports, swim, and otherwise wear their CIs without having to waterproof the ci, wear a headband/clip/BTE or deal with the external components of the CI, the processor.

The internal prototype design I've seen features a remote, much like my daughter's N5, which allows her ( or me) to change programs, adjust volume, sensitivity, focus, turn it off, etc. without touching the processor.

 

[Bottesini]

This is one of the most common requests from deaf kids with CIs to the CI companies, enabling them to simultaneously hear and participate in sports, swim, and otherwise wear their CIs without having to waterproof the ci, wear a headband/clip/BTE or deal with the external components of the CI, the processor.

The internal prototype design I've seen features a remote, much like my daughter's N5, which allows her ( or me) to change programs, adjust volume, sensitivity, focus, turn it off, etc. without touching the processor.

They do turn off?

 

[StSapphire]

The internal prototype design I've seen features a remote, much like my daughter's N5, which allows her ( or me) to change programs, adjust volume, sensitivity, focus, turn it off, etc. without touching the processor.

Interesting. So basically, it's like having a wireless CI that doesn't require an external adapter to use?

 

[GrendelQ]

They do turn off?

I don't know if that's the same product I saw a design for a couple of years ago, but the one I saw could turn off, just like CIs do now.

 

[deafdyke]

This is one of the most common requests from deaf kids with CIs to the CI companies, enabling them to simultaneously hear and participate in sports, swim, and otherwise wear their CIs without having to waterproof the ci, wear a headband/clip/BTE or deal with the external components of the CI, the processor.

And that is SUPER sad. A kid is SO dependent on hearing, they can't even function WITHOUT hearing assistance? Thing is....that's just the downside of being hoh...that you have to deal with equiptment.
Besides, the question is whether or not national health services and private health insurances will even pay for this. I doubt it. I seriously doubt it.

 

[GrendelQ]

And that is SUPER sad. A kid is SO dependent on hearing, they can't even function WITHOUT hearing assistance? Thing is....that's just the downside of being hoh...that you have to deal with equiptment.
Besides, the question is whether or not national health services and private health insurances will even pay for this. I doubt it. I seriously doubt it.

I never said those making suggestions about improving the technology can't function without it.
Not a sad thing at all. If corporations didn't listen to what deaf kids request, that would be sad.

I use my car everyday and want to see the next car I buy improved. I'm very happy that my Mac today is more efficient than the Commodore I had as a kid . Being able to give a minor medical devices Corp. Suggestions and see them executed a year or two later is a pretty good indication that what deaf kids want matters, that these engineers and product designers are listening.

 

[Beach girl]

Heck, I'm no kid, and I'd like to be able to hear while swimming. I swim a lot and would like to participate in Master swimming programs, but have been hesitant because there is no way I could hear a coach.

 

[Mudkipz]

like shel90 said,

Originally Posted by shel90
Question to those who say that they take HAs/CIs out to get a break from "hearing"...would you want an internal implant with NO "off" switch? Just curious?

I would say NO WAY..I enjoy being completely deaf half of the time.

No way too... *head shake*

I thought about it and could be possible with a remote in your hand to somehow adjust your hearing inside of you for volume and sensitively... Would suck if there was no "off" switch.

I love the silence and helps me get through homework, sleep, headache a lot of times. One of the advantages a normal hearing person can't have!

--

"I told you so! I told you so! You should of d-"

"lalala la lalalalal- can't hear you!" *takes off HA/CI*

"goddamn it"

--

*Dog barking outside while watching TV at late midnight*

"ah well I'm going to bed anyways"

*presses world mute button (Cheesy, I know)*

"Heh"

--

"Okay everyone. When you are done with your test, please turn it in at the table here and then you may leave"

*Air conditioning noise going on still along with some pencil tapping noise caused by some students at the tables* *Tapping noise with the keyboard caused by the teacher at the desk*

"Hey put that phone away"

*Groan/grunt noise every several minutes*

complete silence helps a lot when taking tests or exams where everyone can't talk until they leave the classroom...

I can't see myself or other using micro internal device thing unless it has the option to turn it off completely by manual (with a remote or something) because hearing 24/7 could cause headaches, stress, problems, sickness, etc. if given a bad mapping, a bad day where you don't wanna hear a word (or sound), umm there must be more, but having a bad day is enough said...

Very interesting though. I'd love to swim straight in the ocean and hear people talking at surface while I would splash the water or something without worrying about my hearing device.

This means you would require a new implant at least every 10 years, instead of having one device implanted for life, says Janssen. While surgery carries a risk of infection and nerve damage to the cochlea, experience has shown that these risks are very low, says Janssen.

needing a surgery every 10 years? Oh gee... must be very scary and stressful if you was heading for your 4th surgery in the next week or so. Imagine that!

So Cochlear turned to Otologics, a company in Boulder, Colorado, that was developing a fully implantable hearing aid with a new microphone that incorporates two sensors.

One is designed to capture all sounds while the other is tuned to pick up only internal noises. By comparing the two signals software can remove the unwanted bodily noises, says Jose Bedoya, the company's founder.

Interesting... and no more external devices or battery replacement!

Cochlear is now licensing Otologics's technology and hopes to have a complete system working within five years.

Nice! I wonder how the recipents will be doing with these new tech! Hope they post a blog or something because it's scary to just step right in and just get a surgery for something brand new (First gen without anything revised or fixed, just like that) that could have deflects or problems...

 

[deafdyke]

Being able to give a minor medical devices Corp. Suggestions and see them executed a year or two later is a pretty good indication that what deaf kids want matters, that these engineers and product designers are listening.

Well yeah....but on the other hand there's a significent population that cannot function without hearing input, even for a bit. That to me is REALLY sad. You mean to say they can't speechread or use ASL? Dhh (and oral) kids have functioned without sound input for DECADES while sleeping, playing sports, and swimming.
Also, you're missing the fact that this improvement is akin to having bluetooth hearing aids or that feature in cars that lets you keep up on people's facebook statuses.
Technology is nice....but this improvement is not vital. We are in the middle of a major healthcare crisis. Health insurance companies(unless you're talking about the Cadillaic ones) aren't going to pay for this, since it will increase health insurance premieums. Remember we're in a sitution where it's like you pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for health insurance, and not a lot is covered.

 

[Hohtopics]

I could use a CI / HA I could sweat or work out with. Not that I belong to a gym or anything at the moment. Partly going based on past experience.

 

[Daredevel7]

I think it is kinda odd that people automatically assume that you cannot turn it off? I would think that it's unsaid that ANY electronics can be turned off. I'm sure when the first television came out, it was assumed that it CAN be turned off....

 

[Mudkipz]

I think it is kinda odd that people automatically assume that you cannot turn it off? I would think that it's unsaid that ANY electronics can be turned off. I'm sure when the first television came out, it was assumed that it CAN be turned off....

You're right. and plus it's Cochlear company. They wouldn't release it to the public and say in the final words: It can't be turned off. Would be a huge flaw!

That would really upset people and might persuade them from getting one.

This concept is really cool, but if something goes wrong... Oh gosh. That's your own head and you can't just drill your hand inside your head and fix it. You would have to wait until the surgeons open your head and fix it.

Yeah, no, I'd wait to see how recipients are doing with this.

 

[StSapphire]

You're right. and plus it's Cochlear company. They wouldn't release it to the public and say in the final words: It can't be turned off. Would be a huge flaw!

That would really upset people and might persuade them from getting one.

This concept is really cool, but if something goes wrong... Oh gosh. That's your own head and you can't just drill your hand inside your head and fix it. You would have to wait until the surgeons open your head and fix it.

Yeah, no, I'd wait to see how recipients are doing with this.

I'm sure I'm mostly revealing my own ignorance here, but... isn't that the case with existing CIs, as well? Or is the magnetic piece that can be removed what powers the internal implant?

I'd agree that being in the initial trials would be extremely scary as well, though.

 

[Beach girl]

Initial trials are always scary. Can you imagine being one of the first to undergo LASIK surgery? To this day, the idea of anyone bringing a sharp instrument anywhere close to my eyes gives me the heebie-jeebies. I would never do it, ever. But there are hundreds of thousands of people who have done it and are glad to have done so.

I'd guess this new invention might go along the same path. There will be people who can pay for it, insurance or no, just the way people pay thousands of dollars for cosmetic surgery that is not covered by insurance. If those folks do well, if it no longer becomes "experimental," it might eventually be accepted.

I won't be one of the early adopters, though. It scares me, the idea of having anything implanted in my head like that.

 

[GrendelQ]

I'm sure I'm mostly revealing my own ignorance here, but... isn't that the case with existing CIs, as well? Or is the magnetic piece that can be removed what powers the internal implant?

I'd agree that being in the initial trials would be extremely scary as well, though.

The battery is on the processor that sits behind the ear (or wraps around a ponytail in my daughter's case).

 

[Mudkipz]

I'm sure I'm mostly revealing my own ignorance here, but... isn't that the case with existing CIs, as well? Or is the magnetic piece that can be removed what powers the internal implant?

I'd agree that being in the initial trials would be extremely scary as well, though.

No no not ignorant at all! That's true, but it's highly unlikely as of today ( Big thanks to professional surgeons!). I meant to talk about being a early adopter that would be one of the first people to try it out and it's NEW! Something could go wrong and Cochlear could hold them back and fix whatever needs fixing before they release it to the public.

EDIT: +1 previous posts. Meant to say that. just the right words didn't come to mind when posting mine...

 

[StSapphire]

The battery is on the processor that sits behind the ear (or wraps around a ponytail in my daughter's case).

No no not ignorant at all! That's true, but it's highly unlikely as of today ( Big thanks to professional surgeons!). I meant to talk about being a early adopter that would be one of the first people to try it out and it's NEW! Something could go wrong and Cochlear could hold them back and fix whatever needs fixing before they release it to the public.

EDIT: +1 previous posts. Meant to say that. just the right words didn't come to mind when posting mine...

I guess I was more wondering, if something somehow happened (say, EMP or some other electrical shock, which damaged the CI's circuitry) and the CI was delivering some sort of high-pitched whine directly into your auditory nerves, can you simply remove the battery, or is it powered internally?

That would be the sort of thing I would be worried about with getting a fully internal implant - I've had so many of my electronics bug out or do something that would be painfully annoying without the ability to either rip out the power cord or battery to immediately shut it off. (Admittedly, I would hope that a CI would be a much much higher quality device than the electronics I own, but even still...)