hello

[Guest guest]

Hello Carol.  Congratuations on making your decision for a CI.  You are in for a

wonderful journey!  It sounds like you are doing all the right things...and

definitely posting here is a good thing too.  Ask questions, and we would love

to share your journey by hearing about your experiences. 

I received my CI in 2007, and find it a miracle to this day at what it brings me

in terms of hearing.  The other day I was listening to a song on the radio that

I've heard many times since the 1960's, but never knew the words.  As I listened

I suddenly realized that I was actually making out the words!!  What a CI moment

that was.    You will too have many of these moments!

Hang on to your hat!  And welcome aboard.

 

________________________________

From: msblackgold757 <msblackgold757@...>

Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 8:41:53 PM

Subject: Hello

 

Hello Everyone

My name is Carol. I'v been a member of this group for about 2 months now, but

this is my first post. I made the decision in Jun to get a CI. I am getting my

implant on Oct 20 and I am extremely happy. Just a bit information about me. I

got my first HA seventeen years ago when I was 29. My hearing loss was really

hard for me to accept, but life goes on. I started asking questions and found

out several members of my extended family had hearing loss too, so I guess you

can say it runs in the family. I was the first in my immediate family to

recognize my hearing loss, but now my Mom and two brothers also have experienced

hearing loss. With the support of SHHH (now HLOA) I was able to deal w/ it. Over

the years my hearing has gotten progressively worse and has impacted my job,

social life and sense of well being. My Doctor wanted me to get a CI five years

ago, but I wasn't ready mentally. I was able to find a pair of HAs that worked

for me; but now I'm having

a terrible time understanding what people are saying, even though I can hear

them. I go for my post op meeting next week to decide what ear to implant and

the what device I want. Choosing the device is hard, but I schedule another

meeting w/ the tech to go over the pros and cons of each implant, and to answer

all the questions I have. I just want to say thanks to all for sharing all your

information. ..I have gotten a weath of information from this group. Carol

[Guest guest]

Hello Carol and welcome.

Some of my hearing history is similar to yours.

I got my first hearing aids in 1978. I was working as an underground coal miner

at the time, but oddly enough I never wore them underground, because of the

water and dirt, it would have ruined them. With batteries in them, they could

have also been a hazard in gas, but they were deemed to be extrinsically safe,

but I never took the chance. Plus I only had the one set and I would prefer to

use them for social occasions.

I was born in England, but came out to Australia in 1970. I too found out in

later years, that 2 or 3 other siblings of mine, back in the UK, had hearing

aids too, so some of mine was apparently hereditary, on my mothers side.

So I was probably in just about the worst job I could have been in, as regards

noise. Its EXTREMELY noisy underground and all we had in those days for ear

protection was cotton wool, go figure.

I have had my Cochlear Freedom for about three and a half years now. Obviously I

wasn't born deaf and I always wore my hearing aids, especially after I left the

mines :-). I think the fact that I had kept my ears stimulated, although I

couldn't hear very much with the 2 H/A's, helped to give me a good result. I was

one of the fortunate few, that was able to hold a conversation with the other

people in the room, about 40 seconds after activation. I have ALWAYS worn my

hearing aid in my other ear. On its own, the aid is just about useless, but with

the CI, it makes a tremendous difference for me.

Ted F.

>

> Hello Everyone

> My name is Carol. I'v been a member of this group for about 2 months now, but

this is my first post. I made the decision in Jun to get a CI. I am getting my

implant on Oct 20 and I am extremely happy. Just a bit information about me. I

got my first HA seventeen years ago when I was 29. My hearing loss was really

hard for me to accept, but life goes on. I started asking questions and found

out several members of my extended family had hearing loss too, so I guess you

can say it runs in the family. I was the first in my immediate family to

recognize my hearing loss, but now my Mom and two brothers also have experienced

hearing loss. With the support of SHHH (now HLOA) I was able to deal w/ it.

Over the years my hearing has gotten progressively worse and has impacted my

job, social life and sense of well being. My Doctor wanted me to get a CI five

years ago, but I wasn't ready mentally. I was able to find a pair of HAs that

worked for me; but now I'm having a terrible time understanding what people are

saying, even though I can hear them. I go for my post op meeting next week to

decide what ear to implant and the what device I want. Choosing the device is

hard, but I schedule another meeting w/ the tech to go over the pros and cons of

each implant, and to answer all the questions I have. I just want to say thanks

to all for sharing all your information...I have gotten a weath of information

from this group. Carol

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thanks for the response. It's wonderful when you can communicate w/ people who

understand exactly what you're going through. Learning my rights w/ the ADA

really helped me in this journey. And you're right about the invisible

disability. I have family members who hide their hearing loss, but I don't.

There is no shame in having lost your hearing. I am leaning towards Cochlear

too because of the disposable or rechargeable batteries and because of the water

resistance. I sweat like crazy sometimes and don't want to have to worry about

the CI like I do w/ my HAs. The backward compatability also makes it a good

choice. I'm not too sure I want a remote though. I had a couple w/ my HAs in

the past. They were interesting in the beginning, but then became cumbersome

and a bit expensive since they require a lot of batteries to operate. I'll see

after my appt on Monday. They will let me know if I will get the new Freedom.

Carol

>

> Hi Carol,

> That's why we're here. And once you've been activated for a while,

> you'll want to help others with their journey toward hearing.

> Losing a sense, like hearing, is much like death. If you haven't read

> beth Kubler-Ross' book, " On Death and Dying " you should pick it up.

> It describes the stages of acceptance. And it's very similar to the

> process one goes through when a sense is lost as well. First step is

> Denial. Of course everyone is mumbling, I couldn't be deaf. Etc.

> Finally you get to the stage where you are. " Stuff happens, life goes

> on " But it is very frustrating to have an invisible disability. It's

> not like you're in a wheelchair, and people can SEE you have a problem.

> But we've all been there. Having people think your stuck up because you

> ignore them. I once had a field practice supervisor tell me that saying

> I was deaf was a " cop out line of Cr_p " How's that for understanding?

> And this was when I had NO hearing, prior to my first implant, and was

> relying on lipreading.!!!

> Check out all the details on all brands available. My choice has

> been Cochlear because of the backward compatability. Whatever advances

> they make, they make available for people who were implanted years ago.

> So the new Freedom 5 remote will be compatable with the older Freedom

> processor I have. I also like the ability to use either disposable or

> rechargeable batteries.

> Good luck. We're here to answer your questions.

>

> ____________________________________________________________

> Top Career Training

> Start your new career with certification from the top online programs.

>

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=gmTBAb06yK7YNMlIoy9ydwAAJ1CAYQG2fn\

ZWBLacCwlpBoaTAAQAAAAFAAAAAPLSzT0AAANSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaDeQAAAAA=

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ted

Thanks for the reply. Your story is very interesting esp. about working in the

mines. I work in an office and I'm thankful for the compassion my co-workers

have for me and my hearing loss. Like you I plan on wearing a HA in one ear w/

the CI. Everything I read says that's that way to go. I'm still able to hear w/

the HAs; it's the fact that I can understand the speech that is driving me to

get a CI. Did you get to choose what ear was implanted? I just found out the

Dr. wants to implant the right ear, but I wanted to implant the left because I

thought my right ear was stronger. It made sense to me to implant the weaker

ear; however my Dr. says they are about equal. Hopefully I'll find out on

Thursday why he chose the right vs the left. I'm hoping that I am one of the

fortunate ones that will be able to hear soon after getting my CI; but I'm going

in w/ the knowledge that it's going to take work to get 100% out of the CI.

Carol

> >

> > Hello Everyone

> > My name is Carol. I'v been a member of this group for about 2 months now,

but this is my first post. I made the decision in Jun to get a CI. I am

getting my implant on Oct 20 and I am extremely happy. Just a bit information

about me. I got my first HA seventeen years ago when I was 29. My hearing loss

was really hard for me to accept, but life goes on. I started asking questions

and found out several members of my extended family had hearing loss too, so I

guess you can say it runs in the family. I was the first in my immediate family

to recognize my hearing loss, but now my Mom and two brothers also have

experienced hearing loss. With the support of SHHH (now HLOA) I was able to

deal w/ it. Over the years my hearing has gotten progressively worse and has

impacted my job, social life and sense of well being. My Doctor wanted me to

get a CI five years ago, but I wasn't ready mentally. I was able to find a pair

of HAs that worked for me; but now I'm having a terrible time understanding what

people are saying, even though I can hear them. I go for my post op meeting next

week to decide what ear to implant and the what device I want. Choosing the

device is hard, but I schedule another meeting w/ the tech to go over the pros

and cons of each implant, and to answer all the questions I have. I just want

to say thanks to all for sharing all your information...I have gotten a weath of

information from this group. Carol

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply . It's those CI moments that I'm looking forward to

having. Aren't we blessed to to have this technology available to us.

Carol

>

> Hello Carol.  Congratuations on making your decision for a CI.  You are in for

a wonderful journey!  It sounds like you are doing all the right things...and

definitely posting here is a good thing too.  Ask questions, and we would love

to share your journey by hearing about your experiences. 

>

> I received my CI in 2007, and find it a miracle to this day at what it brings

me in terms of hearing.  The other day I was listening to a song on the radio

that I've heard many times since the 1960's, but never knew the words.  As I

listened I suddenly realized that I was actually making out the words!!  What a

CI moment that was.    You will too have many of these moments!

>

> Hang on to your hat!  And welcome aboard.

>  

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: msblackgold757 <msblackgold757@...>

>

> Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 8:41:53 PM

> Subject: Hello

>

>  

> Hello Everyone

> My name is Carol. I'v been a member of this group for about 2 months now, but

this is my first post. I made the decision in Jun to get a CI. I am getting my

implant on Oct 20 and I am extremely happy. Just a bit information about me. I

got my first HA seventeen years ago when I was 29. My hearing loss was really

hard for me to accept, but life goes on. I started asking questions and found

out several members of my extended family had hearing loss too, so I guess you

can say it runs in the family. I was the first in my immediate family to

recognize my hearing loss, but now my Mom and two brothers also have experienced

hearing loss. With the support of SHHH (now HLOA) I was able to deal w/ it. Over

the years my hearing has gotten progressively worse and has impacted my job,

social life and sense of well being. My Doctor wanted me to get a CI five years

ago, but I wasn't ready mentally. I was able to find a pair of HAs that worked

for me; but now I'm having

> a terrible time understanding what people are saying, even though I can hear

them. I go for my post op meeting next week to decide what ear to implant and

the what device I want. Choosing the device is hard, but I schedule another

meeting w/ the tech to go over the pros and cons of each implant, and to answer

all the questions I have. I just want to say thanks to all for sharing all your

information. ..I have gotten a weath of information from this group. Carol

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Carol

Again we are similar, my ears were very much the same, but I reckoned if

anything, the right one was slightly better. So I wanted them to do the what I

felt was my worst ear, the left one.

Unless there is some MEDICAL reason why they can't implant one particular ear,

it makes sense to have the one done, that YOU regard as the worst, or weakest

one.

I hope you get a decent audiologist who believes that wearing a hearing aid in

your other ear, is a good thing. Some audiologists in the USA, that I have read

about in this group, want people NOT to wear the hearing aid. They say it is to

give the brain a chance to get used to the CI. That's bullshit, your brain will

adjust to the CI whether you wear the hearing aid in the other ear, or not.

I feel very strongly about this and I have written the same thing on many

occasions. That's the one main thing that I have read, that I think is bad

advice. Admittedly, we are all different, but it still makes no sense to me, NOT

to wear the hearing aid. The brain is a wonderful computer and makes adjustments

pretty quickly.

Ted F.

> > >

> > > Hello Everyone

> > > My name is Carol. I'v been a member of this group for about 2 months now,

but this is my first post. I made the decision in Jun to get a CI. I am

getting my implant on Oct 20 and I am extremely happy. Just a bit information

about me. I got my first HA seventeen years ago when I was 29. My hearing loss

was really hard for me to accept, but life goes on. I started asking questions

and found out several members of my extended family had hearing loss too, so I

guess you can say it runs in the family. I was the first in my immediate family

to recognize my hearing loss, but now my Mom and two brothers also have

experienced hearing loss. With the support of SHHH (now HLOA) I was able to

deal w/ it. Over the years my hearing has gotten progressively worse and has

impacted my job, social life and sense of well being. My Doctor wanted me to

get a CI five years ago, but I wasn't ready mentally. I was able to find a pair

of HAs that worked for me; but now I'm having a terrible time understanding what

people are saying, even though I can hear them. I go for my post op meeting next

week to decide what ear to implant and the what device I want. Choosing the

device is hard, but I schedule another meeting w/ the tech to go over the pros

and cons of each implant, and to answer all the questions I have. I just want

to say thanks to all for sharing all your information...I have gotten a weath of

information from this group. Carol

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I have been activated for 5 weeks as of next Monday and although I have been

silent on this group for the past 2-3 weeks this topic thread yells out to me to

'speak'. First let me say that this path and process has been fascinating to

me. My key learning ... or should I say re-learning, is that patience is not a

personal strength ... especially when I really don't know what I'm being patient

for. By this I mean where will this journey end, when and what I should expect

whether by day, week or month. And ... because we're all unique I accept the

fact that no one, regardless of desire to do so, can give me those clear cut

answers.

Ted is a believer in using both the CI and the HA. My audiologist had me begin

to use both at the 4 week mark, My concern is/was that in doing so, I will

favor what still remains my 'good' ear and the good ear will over-shadow and

thus slow down the progress of the CI ear. The current 'good' ear, by hearing

standards, is very poor yet still more natural and thus comfortable than the CI

ear. I'd love to hear more experiences with combining and I do trust the audie

.... it just takes me further into the arena in which I feel rather lost in terms

of knowing what to expect or what I'll find.

Overall, I know there have been improvements. I am not able to function in many

situations with just the CI yet certain things are definitely better. I

appreciate the guidance and support from those 'in the know' and look forward to

the time that I'm qualified to be in that category.

Many thanks,

Mike

> > > >

> > > > Hello Everyone

> > > > My name is Carol. I'v been a member of this group for about 2 months

now, but this is my first post. I made the decision in Jun to get a CI. I am

getting my implant on Oct 20 and I am extremely happy. Just a bit information

about me. I got my first HA seventeen years ago when I was 29. My hearing loss

was really hard for me to accept, but life goes on. I started asking questions

and found out several members of my extended family had hearing loss too, so I

guess you can say it runs in the family. I was the first in my immediate family

to recognize my hearing loss, but now my Mom and two brothers also have

experienced hearing loss. With the support of SHHH (now HLOA) I was able to

deal w/ it. Over the years my hearing has gotten progressively worse and has

impacted my job, social life and sense of well being. My Doctor wanted me to

get a CI five years ago, but I wasn't ready mentally. I was able to find a pair

of HAs that worked for me; but now I'm having a terrible time understanding what

people are saying, even though I can hear them. I go for my post op meeting next

week to decide what ear to implant and the what device I want. Choosing the

device is hard, but I schedule another meeting w/ the tech to go over the pros

and cons of each implant, and to answer all the questions I have. I just want

to say thanks to all for sharing all your information...I have gotten a weath of

information from this group. Carol

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, Ted,

Tell us what you REALLY think. LOL. I agree, you'll hear with the CI

whether you wear a HA in the other ear or not. What a crock. It's up

there with wearing a hearing aid in a dead ear to " keep it stimulated "

HELLO. If the sound isn't getting through, how are you stimulating it by

wearing a hearing aid in it? All you are doing is annoying yourself, and

running through batteries. My analogy is it's like kicking a dead horse.

But audiologists will keep telling you that you need to keep the ear

stimulated.

In my case, my first implant was done in an ear that had no hearing

and no stimulation for 20 years. Worked just fine. Gave the nerve a

chance to rest. Second implant was done in an ear that was without

hearing or stimulation for 13 years. Got good " wave sounds " back in the

OR and we'll find out on Thursday how it's working. That's when I get my

first map.

As for which ear to implant, depends on whether you are a driver or a

passenger most of the time. If both ears are equally bad. Try to get

the ear implanted that will be toward the center of the car rather than

the windows.

In my case, the Dr. did the ear that was dead for 20 years figuring if

it didn't work, I was no worse off than I was before. But it did work

fantastically.

They say it is to give the brain a chance to get used to the CI. That's

bullshit, your brain will adjust to the CI whether you wear the hearing

aid in the other ear, or not.

____________________________________________________________

Liberty University Online

Earn a bachelors degree online in Nursing. Get free info now!

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=x4akU6Lq9vx91ng29dUIMwAAJ1CAYQG2fn\

ZWBLacCwlpBoaTAAQAAAAFAAAAADMzcz4AAAMlAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABSGmAAAAAA=

[Guest guest]

LOL Ted.  I'm with you on this one too.    I wear a HA in my left ear, CI in

my right.  My audiologist suggested that I go without the HA for an hour or so

each day, which is very difficult for me to do, so I only did it one time...and

about drove myself crazy.  So my CI ear is rehabbed in a different

way...listening to audiobooks, MP3 player set on FM radio to listen to music and

DJ, weather reports, news, etc....but when not rehabbing directly, it is

rehabbing indirectly with my HA ear showing the CI ear the way. 

BTW - My HA ear is still my better ear, understanding speech about 70% of the

time by itself.  But, with the CI and HA together, I understand almost 100%

now.    Two ears are definitely better than one. 

 

________________________________

From: tedfthis <ted.fletcher@...>

Sent: Sat, October 3, 2009 2:51:08 AM

Subject: Re: Hello

 

Hello Carol

Again we are similar, my ears were very much the same, but I reckoned if

anything, the right one was slightly better. So I wanted them to do the what I

felt was my worst ear, the left one.

Unless there is some MEDICAL reason why they can't implant one particular ear,

it makes sense to have the one done, that YOU regard as the worst, or weakest

one.

I hope you get a decent audiologist who believes that wearing a hearing aid in

your other ear, is a good thing. Some audiologists in the USA, that I have read

about in this group, want people NOT to wear the hearing aid. They say it is to

give the brain a chance to get used to the CI. That's bullshit, your brain will

adjust to the CI whether you wear the hearing aid in the other ear, or not.

I feel very strongly about this and I have written the same thing on many

occasions. That's the one main thing that I have read, that I think is bad

advice. Admittedly, we are all different, but it still makes no sense to me, NOT

to wear the hearing aid. The brain is a wonderful computer and makes adjustments

pretty quickly.

Ted F.

> > >

> > > Hello Everyone

> > > My name is Carol. I'v been a member of this group for about 2 months now,

but this is my first post. I made the decision in Jun to get a CI. I am getting

my implant on Oct 20 and I am extremely happy. Just a bit information about me.

I got my first HA seventeen years ago when I was 29. My hearing loss was really

hard for me to accept, but life goes on. I started asking questions and found

out several members of my extended family had hearing loss too, so I guess you

can say it runs in the family. I was the first in my immediate family to

recognize my hearing loss, but now my Mom and two brothers also have experienced

hearing loss. With the support of SHHH (now HLOA) I was able to deal w/ it. Over

the years my hearing has gotten progressively worse and has impacted my job,

social life and sense of well being. My Doctor wanted me to get a CI five years

ago, but I wasn't ready mentally. I was able to find a pair of HAs that worked

for me; but now I'm

having a terrible time understanding what people are saying, even though I can

hear them. I go for my post op meeting next week to decide what ear to implant

and the what device I want. Choosing the device is hard, but I schedule another

meeting w/ the tech to go over the pros and cons of each implant, and to answer

all the questions I have. I just want to say thanks to all for sharing all your

information. ..I have gotten a weath of information from this group. Carol

> > >

> >

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi, Mike: My second implant was activated at the end of July and sounded

terrific in conjunction with the first, older implant. Because it's

sounded so good together, I have been pretty lazy about doing any listening

exercises with only the newly implanted side. There is no question that my

first implant is doing the majority of the work right now. It sounds

awesome when I have them both on. When I listen with only the new implant,

however, it's got quite a ways to go to catch up with the older implant. I

personally believe that unless I buckle down and start spending some time

listening with ONLY the newly implanted side, my better side is going to

keep doing all the work forever.

[Guest guest]

Great suggestion in deciding which ear to implants - driver or passenger. Makes

plenty of sense.

>

> Hey, Ted,

> Tell us what you REALLY think. LOL. I agree, you'll hear with the CI

> whether you wear a HA in the other ear or not. What a crock. It's up

> there with wearing a hearing aid in a dead ear to " keep it stimulated "

> HELLO. If the sound isn't getting through, how are you stimulating it by

> wearing a hearing aid in it? All you are doing is annoying yourself, and

> running through batteries. My analogy is it's like kicking a dead horse.

> But audiologists will keep telling you that you need to keep the ear

> stimulated.

> In my case, my first implant was done in an ear that had no hearing

> and no stimulation for 20 years. Worked just fine. Gave the nerve a

> chance to rest. Second implant was done in an ear that was without

> hearing or stimulation for 13 years. Got good " wave sounds " back in the

> OR and we'll find out on Thursday how it's working. That's when I get my

> first map.

> As for which ear to implant, depends on whether you are a driver or a

> passenger most of the time. If both ears are equally bad. Try to get

> the ear implanted that will be toward the center of the car rather than

> the windows.

> In my case, the Dr. did the ear that was dead for 20 years figuring if

> it didn't work, I was no worse off than I was before. But it did work

> fantastically.

>

>

> They say it is to give the brain a chance to get used to the CI. That's

> bullshit, your brain will adjust to the CI whether you wear the hearing

> aid in the other ear, or not.

> ____________________________________________________________

> Liberty University Online

> Earn a bachelors degree online in Nursing. Get free info now!

>

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=x4akU6Lq9vx91ng29dUIMwAAJ1CAYQG2fn\

ZWBLacCwlpBoaTAAQAAAAFAAAAADMzcz4AAAMlAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABSGmAAAAAA=

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, Mike - good to " see " you! Patience is highly overrated, and I

recommend " pigging out " or screaming when frustrated! LOL When I was first

activated in 2002 the thought was to NOT wear the hearing aid in the other ear.

OK - for me that lasted 20 minutes! Remember what I said about patience?

LOL Yes you will still favor the hearing aid ear because it's what you

are used to, but the CI is sneaky and is actually " coming of age " without

you even knowing it. How do I know this? Because when I finally went

bilateral I was afraid the first CI wasn't going to sustain me and how would I

use the phone?? I'd still been clinging to my hearing aid for the phone

despite not hearing much! Well, surprise, surprise! Forced to use the CI ear

now, I was hearing better than ever on the phone and not even using the

telecoil - just holding the phone up to my ear as usual. Not perfect, mind

you, but how many things ARE perfect? So - do whatever is comfortable for

you to hear the best you can. Try not to worry about which ear is doing the

most work. I'm a believer in " whatever works " and if both give you the

best hearing, go for it. If the HA seems to confuse you, as for some others,

then lose the HA. OK - Tell 'em I said it's all ok! LOL Hang in there -

it's gonna' get better! Jackie )

[Guest guest]

Jackie ...

Talk about being motivator and cheer leader ... thanks for the words of wisdom.

They come at a great time. You give me permission to do anything that works for

ME. I like that and will.

With much appreciation.

Mike

>

> Hey, Mike - good to " see " you! Patience is highly overrated, and I

> recommend " pigging out " or screaming when frustrated! LOL When I was first

> activated in 2002 the thought was to NOT wear the hearing aid in the other

ear.

> OK - for me that lasted 20 minutes! Remember what I said about patience?

> LOL Yes you will still favor the hearing aid ear because it's what you

> are used to, but the CI is sneaky and is actually " coming of age " without

> you even knowing it. How do I know this? Because when I finally went

> bilateral I was afraid the first CI wasn't going to sustain me and how would

I

> use the phone?? I'd still been clinging to my hearing aid for the phone

> despite not hearing much! Well, surprise, surprise! Forced to use the CI ear

> now, I was hearing better than ever on the phone and not even using the

> telecoil - just holding the phone up to my ear as usual. Not perfect, mind

> you, but how many things ARE perfect? So - do whatever is comfortable for

> you to hear the best you can. Try not to worry about which ear is doing the

> most work. I'm a believer in " whatever works " and if both give you the

> best hearing, go for it. If the HA seems to confuse you, as for some others,

> then lose the HA. OK - Tell 'em I said it's all ok! LOL Hang in there -

> it's gonna' get better! Jackie )

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mike,

The prayer you need to say is, " God give me patience, RIGHT NOW " LOL.

With my first implant, I got mapped, and was saying to myself, " Did I

go through all this to have annoying noises in my head? " Because that's

what it was for several weeks until my brain finally realized that THIS

is what words, music, sounds were like now, and then it kind of all fell

into place. I was in college at the time, and relying on someone else to

take notes for me while I was lipreading the instructors. Someone in the

back of the room asked a question. I wasn't looking at her, wasn't even

paying much attention, but realized I heard and understood every word I

said. NO LIPREADING. After that, I started understanding most

everything.

Right now, I'm typing and listening to the Cleveland Brows on the

radio. TV doesn't work. Tried a new TV, couldn't pick up the local

channels, changed antennas, still no reception. My real TV is hooked up

for videos. So listening to the radio and that means NO lipreading, no

captioning. Understanding the very excited commentators. Browns scored

a touchdown. I think the first in our stadium in many games. They tell

us to go to the Browns stadium in case of a hurricane, because there are

never any touchdowns there! LOL.

So when you'll start to hear is variable, but keep the processor on

all the time you are awake, because when your brain does click on you

need to be wearing the processor.

It will happen. Time and patience. Baby steps. We'll see how well

I follow my own advice after Thursday when I get my bilateral processor

mapped for the first time.

Good luck,

____________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Well that is certainly one consideration, but here is another. Which hand do

you use to write? Before I had the CI, I could only use a hearing aid in my

right ear. A hearing aid wouldn't work in my left ear due to severe distortion,

hyperacusis and recruitment. The problem was I'm right handed. If I'm using my

right hand to hold a telephone to my right ear how do I take notes? Yes, it is

possible to hold a telephone to your right ear with your left hand, but that

becomes very tiring over a very short period of time. I've been there and done

that. I had my left ear (worst) implanted first for the telephone problem and

believe me it was a problem. Even though that ear was essentially unstimulated

for over 30 years I had excellent results with the CI in that ear. Now that I'm

bilateral, I can use the telephone with either ear, but I still prefer using the

left ear for the above reasons.

Best regards,

Jim

> >

> > Hey, Ted,

> > Tell us what you REALLY think. LOL. I agree, you'll hear with the CI

> > whether you wear a HA in the other ear or not. What a crock. It's up

> > there with wearing a hearing aid in a dead ear to " keep it stimulated "

> > HELLO. If the sound isn't getting through, how are you stimulating it by

> > wearing a hearing aid in it? All you are doing is annoying yourself, and

> > running through batteries. My analogy is it's like kicking a dead horse.

> > But audiologists will keep telling you that you need to keep the ear

> > stimulated.

> > In my case, my first implant was done in an ear that had no hearing

> > and no stimulation for 20 years. Worked just fine. Gave the nerve a

> > chance to rest. Second implant was done in an ear that was without

> > hearing or stimulation for 13 years. Got good " wave sounds " back in the

> > OR and we'll find out on Thursday how it's working. That's when I get my

> > first map.

> > As for which ear to implant, depends on whether you are a driver or a

> > passenger most of the time. If both ears are equally bad. Try to get

> > the ear implanted that will be toward the center of the car rather than

> > the windows.

> > In my case, the Dr. did the ear that was dead for 20 years figuring if

> > it didn't work, I was no worse off than I was before. But it did work

> > fantastically.

> >

> >

> > They say it is to give the brain a chance to get used to the CI. That's

> > bullshit, your brain will adjust to the CI whether you wear the hearing

> > aid in the other ear, or not.

> > ____________________________________________________________

> > Liberty University Online

> > Earn a bachelors degree online in Nursing. Get free info now!

> >

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> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hey, - your sense of humor tells me you are feeling much better.

So glad you are progressing. Can't wait to " hear " about your activation

this week!! Good luck! Jackie )

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Jackie,

' Staying up more, planning to drive myself to the activation. Just

feel like I have a cold now. But food is staying down, and that's always

a good thing.

Working on building up strength now

Hey, - your sense of humor tells me you are feeling much better.

So glad you are progressing. Can't wait to " hear " about your activation

this week!! Good luck! Jackie )

____________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Hello

I'm glad to see you are up and about and back to normal, whatever normal is :-).

I wish you well on Thursday.

Ted F.

>

> Hey, Ted,

> Tell us what you REALLY think. LOL. I agree, you'll hear with the CI

> whether you wear a HA in the other ear or not. What a crock. It's up

> there with wearing a hearing aid in a dead ear to " keep it stimulated "

> HELLO. If the sound isn't getting through, how are you stimulating it by

> wearing a hearing aid in it? All you are doing is annoying yourself, and

> running through batteries. My analogy is it's like kicking a dead horse.

> But audiologists will keep telling you that you need to keep the ear

> stimulated.

> In my case, my first implant was done in an ear that had no hearing

> and no stimulation for 20 years. Worked just fine. Gave the nerve a

> chance to rest. Second implant was done in an ear that was without

> hearing or stimulation for 13 years. Got good " wave sounds " back in the

> OR and we'll find out on Thursday how it's working. That's when I get my

> first map.

> As for which ear to implant, depends on whether you are a driver or a

> passenger most of the time. If both ears are equally bad. Try to get

> the ear implanted that will be toward the center of the car rather than

> the windows.

> In my case, the Dr. did the ear that was dead for 20 years figuring if

> it didn't work, I was no worse off than I was before. But it did work

> fantastically.

>

>

> They say it is to give the brain a chance to get used to the CI. > That's

bullshit, your brain will adjust to the CI whether you wear > the hearing aid in

the other ear, or not.

>

[Guest guest]

I hope its a huge success for you, Stuart. You are right, you DO deserve the

chance of getting better hearing. Five days after Guy Fawkes night :-)

Ted F. in Oz, where they don't even sell fireworks any more.

>

> Been long time, Ive been unwell and this and that, but good news I had

yesterday was I go into Queen andra Hospital, Cosham, On the 9th NOV have

Cochlear Implant on right ear on the 10th, and discharge on the 12th..Not having

left ear done as its beyond repair...Its a long shot for me, you know people say

it will work you will be ok, well yes I will be fine, But odds it working is

low, as I have a lot of damage inside..But I deserve this chance, I have been

averaging 2 operations a year since day I was born 50+ years ago, 2 a year right

up to present day...

>

> Well my Consultant agreed I deserve the chance, and heck I cant wait, I cant

lose what I havent got, Its taken a long time for this date, I think and rightly

so they were thinking of cost and the odds against me.

>

> Its a lot of money...So pray for me on the 10th at 8.30am, then I will let you

know when the switch on is, that is very important date, I think please work, so

I can hear my 3 Grandchildren for 1st time ever,Consultant and Hospital probably

thinking, please work its costing a few thousand ££'s.

>

> Well thats my latest news, reason Ive not been on in long time is, Ive been

having infection after infection in left ear and still hastn cleared, but I feel

better in myself....

>

> Hope everyone is fine.....

>

> From Portsmouth SouthEast Uk and ME

>

> bye for now..

>

> Stu

>

[Guest guest]

I hope its a huge success for you, Stuart. You are right, you DO deserve the

chance of getting better hearing. Five days after Guy Fawkes night :-)

Ted F. in Oz, where they don't even sell fireworks any more.

>

> Been long time, Ive been unwell and this and that, but good news I had

yesterday was I go into Queen andra Hospital, Cosham, On the 9th NOV have

Cochlear Implant on right ear on the 10th, and discharge on the 12th..Not having

left ear done as its beyond repair...Its a long shot for me, you know people say

it will work you will be ok, well yes I will be fine, But odds it working is

low, as I have a lot of damage inside..But I deserve this chance, I have been

averaging 2 operations a year since day I was born 50+ years ago, 2 a year right

up to present day...

>

> Well my Consultant agreed I deserve the chance, and heck I cant wait, I cant

lose what I havent got, Its taken a long time for this date, I think and rightly

so they were thinking of cost and the odds against me.

>

> Its a lot of money...So pray for me on the 10th at 8.30am, then I will let you

know when the switch on is, that is very important date, I think please work, so

I can hear my 3 Grandchildren for 1st time ever,Consultant and Hospital probably

thinking, please work its costing a few thousand ££'s.

>

> Well thats my latest news, reason Ive not been on in long time is, Ive been

having infection after infection in left ear and still hastn cleared, but I feel

better in myself....

>

> Hope everyone is fine.....

>

> From Portsmouth SouthEast Uk and ME

>

> bye for now..

>

> Stu

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Stuart - I am sending prayers your way and so hope it all works out

for you. I'm so glad you are getting the opportunity to try it! Jackie )

[Guest guest]

wow this is who I am seeing next week to be desensitized. I am scared though!

>

>

> Hi Diane,

> Definitely it has helped me. 18 months since desense. Rate of sinus infections

down. Polyps decreased. No prednisone in 9 months. No surgery in 6 years.

> V. Bosso, MD was found on our website.

>

> samters/database?method=reportRows & tbl=4

>

> Go for it....I wish you well!

>

>

>

>

> hello

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I am sitting here recuperating from my fifth surgery for polyps. I was

diagnosed with Samter's about 1991. I started with the aspirin allergy and

environmental allergies, then polyps, lastly the asthma, which has gotten worse

over the past 2 years. My surgeon is suggesting I look into aspirin

desensitization therapy. Has anyone done this? Had success? Do you need to be

on aspirin forever? I live in NJ and the ENT knew of a Dr. Bosso that does

the desensitization.

> I'm looking forward to looking at all the info available in the group.

> Thanks

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

Hello all it's me again, I am on my third day of recovery and just now felt like giving an update. First I want to let everyone know that I had a great team working with me at U C! They were fantastic! My surgery took 5 hrs to the dot and when I saw the dr the next day he put his head down and said" Mrs. Ace your ear kicked my ass yesterday!" Bless his heart it tok his team just about 2 hours to find my facial nerve it was so covered over by c-toma. Once it was located he said it was a horriable situation trying to get it peeled off of there, all of my little hearing bones were oblitereated that's the term he used excep[t when he got to the back right next to the wall that seperates your middle ear from your inner ear he had to leave a little bit if c-toma because he could not tell if it

was holding on to anything or not. So he is giving it until may or june in which case I will go back for op number 2 and he will see if the skin withered, That skin is still covering the better part of the stapes bone and hopefully there will be a little bit of it left so he can use the artificial TORP. He told me had I been in an older age group he would have just gone ahead and done the modified radiacal but he took my age into consideration and that puuts him on the top of my grand list, he said we will try everything before doing the have to and I really appreciate him for that. The Doctor also told my husband and myself that I waS actually useing that skin ball for conductive hearing that's why I was only showing a 30% conductive hearing loss, but until the next surgery is completed I will not really know how much loss I have because he was not able to reattach the new eardrum yet.

I have read some of these posts and have seen the question does anyone else have a knot in there throat. Well I have had one for quite some time even before this last diagnosis, and when I talked it over with my regular physician she said it was probably my lymphnodes getting infected from the drainage of the c-toma hope that helps. Man I tell you this is probably the worst pain I have been in and I can barely keep my eyes open I have done nothing but sleep the last few days and that is what I am going to do right now. Glad Oliver pulled through children are amazing! And I hope everyone else is having a great day!

malerie

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

So do you think it is your highspeed internet connection that is causing you the

most trouble? I find the highspeed internet connection is the worst when it is

actually being used -- that is for downloading or uploading for extended periods

of time. Also, I've found that the higher speeds of cable were worse than the

lower speeds of DSL (also, there are software applications which will " throttle "

your speed, and I've found that these do indeed help if you lower the peak

speeds).

I have NOT found improvement by using specially shielded ethernet cables (I

assume you are using ethernet and NOT wireless!).

I have found improvement by using different computers using the same high speed

connection, so there is some contribution from the computer and/or the network

card (perhaps a 10/100 connection is easier to tolerate than a 10/100/1000

connection? I don't know)

Also, I've had some luck with EMF protection devices with the highspeed internet

-- quantum products, earthcalm, etc.

Marc

On Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:33:26 -0000, " indigo " <lynn@...> said:

> I would like to introduce myself. I do not have the serious effects that

> many of you may have. But I feel it in my body as aches pains and

> headaches in a deep way. My work requires computer hi speed connection

> and so I am looking for whatever suggestions for protection and

> remediation anyone can suggest that is tangible. I have tried most of

> the things on the market and don't know how well they really abate the

> frequencies. I also council clients on how to improve their health and

> EMF is an ever growing concern for them as well and I want to learn all I

> can to help them as well. Thank you! Lynn

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

The only thing i can recommend is to use a separate keyboard on your computer so

you are are as far away from the EMF make sure there is a little as possible

wireless in the office, cable everything for the net, and dont be near any light

bulbs that flicker thats a good start.

As for gadgets out there, dont rely on them. You will improve if you give your

body time to recover especially at night which is so important.

Diets, just eat heathy it cant hurt, I haven't heard of anyone out there who has

found a magic pill yet?

Reki and Qi Gong helps me, cope and understand energy. 

Hope this helps.

Giles

From: indigo <lynn@...>

Subject: Hello

Date: Thursday, 17 December, 2009, 15:33

 

I would like to introduce myself. I do not have the serious effects that

many of you may have. But I feel it in my body as aches pains and headaches in

a deep way. My work requires computer hi speed connection and so I am looking

for whatever suggestions for protection and remediation anyone can suggest that

is tangible. I have tried most of the things on the market and don't know how

well they really abate the frequencies. I also council clients on how to

improve their health and EMF is an ever growing concern for them as well and I

want to learn all I can to help them as well. Thank you! Lynn