New Member

[Guest guest]

Hi Pete,

Welcome. Most implant centers do not do that test anymore. as part of the

evaluation. YOu will learn a lot here. The implant surgery is not such a big

deal.

Steinerman

N24 Contour 5/00

[Guest guest]

Hi Pete:

I'm 53 and had been losing hearing for 5 years in spite of bilateral hearing

aids before the CI. Then last May my hearing really plummeted so I got the

CI by August.

I didn't have to get the residual stim test. Also when my residual hearing

got so bad that I couldn't hear my bride's loving suggestions for improving

my life anymore, I figured I really didn't have anything to lose. I can

function so much better now with the CI. If you can't understand people

talking and the Ci will 99% of the time let you understand most of what

people are saying, the decision seems obvious to me. You can always get

tested to see if you qualify and then bag it if you're uncomfortable with the

idea.

Gee, I kind of sound like my wife--sorry.

Hal

[Guest guest]

Hi Pete,

I went through many tests, however, I did not have to go through a needle in

the tympanum

I had my Implant 13 years ago and I am thankful for what is has done for me.

Today's

newer technology is fantastic and has really improved hearing for just about

everyone. There a re very few failures and they can also be improved with

their technology.

Patience is the Word and it does take time for the brain to adjust to

hearing again, it is well worth it and nothing to be afraid of and at 55 I

cannot imagine anyone be afraid of hearing again.

N22 and wanna be a 3G esprit 22 BTE.

New Member

> My name is Pete. I am 55 years old and my hearing has steadily

> decreased since age 7. I now wear strong bilateral hearing aids but

> they are no longer very useful in understanding speech. I am

> considering the probabilty that eventually I will get no further

> benefit from hearing aids. As of now, the only tones and freqs I do

> hear are way at the bottom of the audiogram.

>

> I'm considering a CI operation but haven't begun the process mainly

> because I'm scared to death that the operation will fail and I'll

> lose whatever residual hearing is left. Plus, I'm not sure I want to

> undergo that one test where they stick a needle in your eardrum. I

> don't like my ears messed-with. I can barely stand it when I have

> impacted cerenum removed with a currette. Way too pianful!

>

> I'm gonna go into lurk mode now and get to know how things work in

> this group. Maybe I'll learn enough to get my courage up.

>

> p

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hiya Pete,

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll get an education and a half

here on ciHear as well as a lot of friendship and support as you go

through the process of deciding whether to be implanted or not.

May I suggest at least getting an evaluation from a certifiec implant

audiolgist, and ask at your fisst appointment if you will need the

prom stim(needle in the ear) test. Most people who have some residual

hearing don't need this test and it's really a small price to pay for

the opportunity to hear again.<smiles>

As for the fear of losing what hearing you have, although it is a

possiblity, there are really not many failures in comparison to the

successes and you will only lose the hearing in one ear. actually

there are a few who have kept their residual hearing in the implanted

ear, and although it's uncommon, it does happen.

Your audiologist would be able to at least make an educated guess as

to whether you would have success or not.

If you have any questions or just want to find friendship and

support.. this is the right place.

Please feel free to email me privately or on the forum.

As one of 4 implant users in my family.. all successful; I can only

say< None of us have any regrets whatsoever in making the choice to

get a ci.. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!

Where are you from?

Is there any history of deafness in your family or are you the only

one with a hearing impairment?

Take Care and have a great day.

Silly in MI

N24C presently wearing 3G

Hereditary bilateral progressive nerve deafness

Volunteer Advocate

[Guest guest]

Hi Pete and welcome to .

I was born with a small loss and lost more through the years with infections. I

didn't have the test with the needle in the ear. None of the test I had were

painful. I also waited until HAs could not help me before getting bilateral CIs.

I was also afraid of losing what little I had at 103 and 105db loss. Thought I

was still hearing a lot but was only getting what I could " hear " with my eyes.

It took the audi to tell me I was not hearing these things, not even the voices

I thought I was hearing with lipreading. So, this was the first day of my

wonderful CI journey to the hearing world since I had nothing to loose if it

didn't work.

I had bilateral surgery on Dec.9th of last year and hooked up Jan. 9th of this

year. I think this is one of the best decisions I ever made and sometimes wonder

why I waited so long. I can hear lots of sounds, even new ones that I never knew

made sounds. This is really an amazing noisy world full of surprises waiting to

be shared and enjoyed. I can understand some of the old songs I knew before

going deaf and learned a few new " oldies " . I have to have the words to listen

with the first few times. Then the more I listen, the better it gets. I hear

better on the phone than I ever have but will only talk to family members who

understands about my journey. I do have to lipread when I am around a lot of

noise but can understand some speech without lipreading in quiet places. I get a

lot of the TV and radio when there isn't much background interference (music,

effects).

The biggest surprise I had was my 12 year old daughter's voice. I was still

" hearing " her young voice (even the 4 weeks I was 100% deaf between surgery and

hookup and the times she never used her voice at all with me). There are still

times when she starts to speak that I expect to hear her " little girl " s " voice.

It takes time for the brain (and me) to adjust and relearn but it is worth it.

Sharon Myers

Bilateral Hookup 1-09-03 (and loving them)

ka3rfe <phopping@...> wrote: My name is Pete. I am 55 years old and

my hearing has steadily

decreased since age 7. I now wear strong bilateral hearing aids but

they are no longer very useful in understanding speech. I am

considering the probabilty that eventually I will get no further

benefit from hearing aids. As of now, the only tones and freqs I do

hear are way at the bottom of the audiogram.

I'm considering a CI operation but haven't begun the process mainly

because I'm scared to death that the operation will fail and I'll

lose whatever residual hearing is left. Plus, I'm not sure I want to

undergo that one test where they stick a needle in your eardrum. I

don't like my ears messed-with. I can barely stand it when I have

impacted cerenum removed with a currette. Way too pianful!

I'm gonna go into lurk mode now and get to know how things work in

this group. Maybe I'll learn enough to get my courage up.

p

[Guest guest]

Hi Pete,

Welcome to ! I see that you have had

some very encouraging and informative replies

and I wanted to join the others with some

encouraging words and information.

It is understandable to be afraid of losing your

residual hearing. The best encouragement I can

offer is the fact that 98%-99% of CI recipients

hear significantly better than they did with their

hearing aids. My surgeon has said this a number

of times (I work for his non-profit charity, so I

still see and talk to him on a regular basis), and

I have an e-mail from him clarifying the success

rate. I will be happy to send it to you or post

it on this forum if you or anyone else is interested

in reading it. The chance of getting a CI that

does not give better hearing than you have now

is 1%-2%. As others told you, you should not

have to have a prom stim test because you still

have residual hearing, which is evidence that

your auditory nerve still works. There are no

painful tests involved in the evaluation process.

The surgery is not bad - just mild to moderate

pain that is controlled by pain medication.

It is sooo worth it! I would do it 10 times

over for the level of hearing that I have with

my implant! My speech discrimination

improved from 12% with a hearing aid to

92% on single words and 100% on sentences

without lip-reading. I hear on any phone,

understand music, the TV, the radio, and

even do pretty good in noisy environments.

The CI truly is a life-changing miracle!

Let us know if you have any questions -

we are here to help you!

Benton

N24 - 11/98

3G - 8/02

Cochlear Volunteer Advocate

[Guest guest]

Welcome ! blackseasbeyond <blackseasbeyond@...> wrote:

I joined up today, and figured I'd better introduce myself. So.. hi all!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Welcome!!! I just think you have to find the right dose for you and give it

a chance. I wish for you all the best! There are people here that can give

you some great advise! Take care and God Bless!

Kalman

~ KALMAN : ANGELIC ART ~

http://www.cafeshops.com/kalmanangelart

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/benatar01/KalmanAngelicArt.html

new member

> Hi,I'm new.

> I've been taking Lexapro 10mg for about 3 weeks now, and I don't

> think I feel any better.

> After the first week I felt a nice buzz for about one day, but that

> was it. After that, I'm feeling no better, no worse.

> My question is:

> I'd know it if I was feeling better, wouldn't I?

>

> If I don't feel a noticeable change in a couple of weeks, I'll ask

> my doctor to switch me to Prozac.

> Another question: Would I have to get off the Lexapro first, before

> starting the prozac, or could I start the Prozac, while weaning off

> of Lexapro?

>

> thanks.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

Three weeks is still a relatively short time although I know it can

feel like an age when you want to feel better. it does say that for

some people it can take up to 6 weeks so hang in there ans maybe

adjust dosage if there is no change.

In my case I didn't feel alot better after 3 weeks in terms of how

down or anxious i was, i actually felt worse emotionally before i

felt better but I did notice phsical changes for the better first -

that my appetite improved (I was hardly eating) and that I could

sleep better and without pills. The emotional improvements in myself

came later. so maybe look out for small improvements.

Hope you feel better soon!

Fi

> Hi,I'm new.

> I've been taking Lexapro 10mg for about 3 weeks now, and I don't

> think I feel any better.

> After the first week I felt a nice buzz for about one day, but

that

> was it. After that, I'm feeling no better, no worse.

> My question is:

> I'd know it if I was feeling better, wouldn't I?

>

> If I don't feel a noticeable change in a couple of weeks, I'll

ask

> my doctor to switch me to Prozac.

> Another question: Would I have to get off the Lexapro first,

before

> starting the prozac, or could I start the Prozac, while weaning off

> of Lexapro?

>

> thanks.

[Guest guest]

I have felt tired on every antidepressant but I take 30 mg of Ritilan and it

counters it. Diet makes a big difference too. I think all prepared and fast

food makes it worse. I try to cook my meals but it is hard to get enthusiastic

about it when I open the fridge and have to throw out all the rotten stuff

first. I started on 10mg of Lexapro and the tiredness is considerably less than

Celexa, Prozac, Paxil or the other one I took. I feel fully normal except for

some side effects and my aching worn out body.

[Guest guest]

Lexapro is more about being functional than feeling good as opposed to other

drugs. The main thing I noticed first was that I can carry a spontaneous

conversation. I always needed to know what I was going to have to do ahead

of time so I could mentally focus on the task. Before I would not know what

to say unless it was a specific subject. It would be like someone would

pass me by and ask me how I was doing and I would not know what to say. I

have been on Lexapro for 6 weeks now at 10mg and the tiredness is coming

back. Getting exercise helps but this is spring. If it was summer it would

be a problem.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing your experience with Lexapro.

I talked to my doc; he increased dose to 20mg. I had been taking

10mg for almost five weeks and felt nothing. Regarding what you

said, I have been able to be functional in spite of my clinical

depression. I have a job, own a house, pay my bills, (by the way I

do it all myself since I'm single and live alone), yet I have felt

very very depressed for about a year.

So inability to be functional is not my problem, thank God;

I am just tired of feeling bad all the time; like there's a dark

cloud looming over me all the time. I am hoping the increase in

dosage will help that to go away.

thanks again.

> Lexapro is more about being functional than feeling good as opposed

to other

> drugs. The main thing I noticed first was that I can carry a

spontaneous

> conversation. I always needed to know what I was going to have to

do ahead

> of time so I could mentally focus on the task. Before I would not

know what

> to say unless it was a specific subject. It would be like someone

would

> pass me by and ask me how I was doing and I would not know what to

say. I

> have been on Lexapro for 6 weeks now at 10mg and the tiredness is

coming

> back. Getting exercise helps but this is spring. If it was summer

it would

> be a problem.

>

[Guest guest]

> Hello,

> I joined this group to get some other feedback on the newest

drug called

> Lexapro.

> I took Celexa for over a year and all at once it stopped working

for me.

> Celexa was the best medicine in the world for me. I have only took

one other

> kind of antidepressant drug and that was paxil and I took it over 2

years but

> stopped due to the side effects.

> I started taking these types of drugs due to having OCD and

anxiety

> disorder.

> Anyway, celexa gave me no side effects at all, it was perfect up

until it

> just stopped working. My doctor said that can happen sometimes and

suggested I

> take Lexapro which is really similar to Celexa. I took it and

after about 2

> weeks I felt hungry ALL the time. I hated that because I struggled

with that

> when I was on Paxil and that was one of the reasons I stopped

taking the paxil

> in the first place.

> I also experienced insomnia and constipation. If these drugs are

so similar

> why did I have these side effects?

> Anyway, I am still on the Lexapro and have been on it now for 2

months and

> suffering with it because of the insomnia and the hunger. I am

going to go

> back to Celexa and hope that it will work again for me.

> Anyone experience any of this? I would love any feedback. Thanks

>

> ~~

> fitgrl222@a...

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you for the great introduction. I'm so glad you

decided to join the list. This is a great group of

very supportive people and we will help you with

anything you question so ask away.

If you haven't already, please take the time to

research the links and files as you will find a lot of

valuable information there. Some of the group have

posted their pictures in the photos - including

surgery pics so if you dare......

I'm sorry that you have reached this point in your

hearing but there is hope when you start to realize

how much a cochlear implant can do for you. It's an

amazing journey.

Alice

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It's great to meet you. is the best forum out there so you've

come to the right place. I got my CI at age 39. (I'm 41 now) My hearnig loss

was progressive and sarted when I was 12 years old. I lost all the high

frequencies but retained most of the lows. I heard that I may have been

eligible in

June 2000 and got my CI by September. Why do you have to wait so long?

Anyway, it doesn't matter how log you will wait because it will all be worth it

in

the end!!

I have a journal to share that tells what I went through from the surgery

to the present. Let me know if you would like to read it and I will send it

to you by private email as it's too long to send here.

N24C

2000

[Guest guest]

Hi , Welcome to the group. Are you going to the SHHH Convention in

Atlanta? They are having a research symposium on the

cochlear implant, which should be very informative. Let us know the questions

you have? I have had the CI for 16 year and love it

very much. Ruth

New member

Hello everyone in ci group,

My name is and I am a new member. Have been reading post and thought it

was time to introduce myself. I have just learned I

am a candidate for a ci but still have a long road ahead of me. Approval from

insurance and so on.

I am 39 and have known about my lose for 15 yrs now. I have a profound

bilateral sensorineural loss. It seemed to start during my

first pregnancy and has continued to fall. I have never been able to wear

hearing aids they cause pain and my speech discrimination

gets worse. Doctors are not sure why so they say heredity. None in family before

me.

I am a member of SHHH and get great information there, it has also been

helpful reading your post. I look forward to this journey

and I am happy to know such helpful support is here.

Warmly,

[Guest guest]

Thanks and everyone who has posted welcomes,

I am truly overjoyed to have found you all, I feel so much less alone just

knowing this is here. So many new names and post it's hard to keep straight who

all I have e-mailed with, please bare with me. I am going to the convention and

hope to meet many of you there. My local group is putting on the ice cream

social so look for me.

please send me your journal I would love to read it. I have some losses

but my discrimination is only like 28% aided. Did you still have some losses,

what was your hearing like at time of implant?

With Kindness,

Hearing impaired,investigating ci's

>

> From: Ci92000@...

> Date: 2003/06/05 Thu AM 10:33:38 EDT

>

> Subject: Re: New member

>

>

[Guest guest]

Susie,

I'll be looking for you at the ice cream social.

<smile>

Alice

--- seahutch@... wrote:

> Thanks and everyone who has posted welcomes,

>

> I am truly overjoyed to have found you all, I feel

> so much less alone just knowing this is here. So

> many new names and post it's hard to keep straight

> who all I have e-mailed with, please bare with me. I

> am going to the convention and hope to meet many of

> you there. My local group is putting on the ice

> cream social so look for me.

>

> please send me your journal I would love to

> read it. I have some losses but my discrimination is

> only like 28% aided. Did you still have some losses,

> what was your hearing like at time of implant?

>

> With Kindness,

>

>

> Hearing impaired,investigating ci's

> >

> > From: Ci92000@...

> > Date: 2003/06/05 Thu AM 10:33:38 EDT

> >

> > Subject: Re: New member

> >

> >

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Anne,

You and I talked a bit earlier on about CI experiences and I'm glad to hear

you have a July 7 CI date. But...I do wish you were getting the " Nuke " like I

have, LOL. But, the Clarion is a good implant also and has made many

technological advances. You'll be able to fill us in on High Resolution and

their new

BTE!

I can totally relate to your retreating into deafness...I started to do that

in the year before I had my CI...turned my phone at work to " private " and did

all my business by email. Like you, I almost liked being free of the phone

burden...but, now that I can talk on the phone again with my " Nuke " , I'm glad to

have the convenience again! Some things in life are just handled best with a

quick telephone call and returning home from work to listen to my answering

machine is no longer a nightmare. I can make arrangements with friends or for

home repairs in a snap.

I think your expectations are appropriate and am sure you'll do well as time

goes on. You may even exceed the 50% and I think there could be a good chance

you will. Please keep us posted.

M., age 37, Sacramento, CA

R ear N24C surgery 04/03/03

Hooked up with SPrint BWP 05/07/03

Getting 3G BTE 07/03/03

[Guest guest]

,

It's nice to hear from you. I'm impressed that your friends found your CI

magnet to be so cool. That's the RIGHT ATTITUDE...acceptance is the best!! I'm

glad that you're pursuing pastry arts and college...you're showing how a CI puts

you in life!

I work in a State of CA department where some of our employees sign and

because of that, they seem to have fewer career opportunities and need more

remedial help. I think a CI gives you every chance to have the fullest life you

can,

doing all you can do.

M., age 37, Sacramento, CA

R ear N24C surgery 04/03/03

Hooked up with SPrint BWP 05/07/03

Getting 3G BTE 07/03/03

[Guest guest]

,

Congratulations on your Voc. Ed and High School graduation!

You are on the way to be in college and to be in your adult

life. Enjoy your single life for now. Especially you need to

play and have fun this summer before you are ready to study

and work hard in college. Wish you the very best..

That's so awesome that you've been doing so well in school

and your CI. I had my CI surgrey last November and had it

turned on two days after Christmas Day in 2002.

I am 37 years old , single mother of two children. I am currently

in college, too. I am going to start going to American Institute

of Medical-Dental Technology in October , majoring in Medical-

Dental Office Managment. I completed Medical Assitanting 3 years

ago in Phoenix. I've always wanted to be Register Nurse, but it

didn't turn out well for me.

Keep enjoying your CI moments everyday as same way with me, too.

Dana Brower

N24C 11/2002

Springville, UT

[Guest guest]

Hey Jess!

Your surgery was exactly one year to the day after my hook-up! Welcome to

.

N24C

2000

[Guest guest]

yeah its fun graduating from 2 schools vo ed and hs .. i am starting college

with a pre nursing major.. currenty i do have a bf hes a real sweetie.. we

actually were in the same 'deaf program' class 10 years ago he left for the

middle school so he found me in a chat room cuz i had deafness on my profile

like april got together (visiting) the next day.. both of us were in total shock

when he finally realized who i was after i guessed who he was 1st lol.. then 2

weeks after that started dating .. its been 5 weeks now so its all good thanks

for the good luck and i also wish u good luck too

jessica

n24c 10/26/01 hearing since 11/26/01

danab65@... wrote:

,

Congratulations on your Voc. Ed and High School graduation!

You are on the way to be in college and to be in your adult

life. Enjoy your single life for now. Especially you need to

play and have fun this summer before you are ready to study

and work hard in college. Wish you the very best..

That's so awesome that you've been doing so well in school

and your CI. I had my CI surgrey last November and had it

turned on two days after Christmas Day in 2002.

I am 37 years old , single mother of two children. I am currently

in college, too. I am going to start going to American Institute

of Medical-Dental Technology in October , majoring in Medical-

Dental Office Managment. I completed Medical Assitanting 3 years

ago in Phoenix. I've always wanted to be Register Nurse, but it

didn't turn out well for me.

Keep enjoying your CI moments everyday as same way with me, too.

Dana Brower

N24C 11/2002

Springville, UT

[Guest guest]

Anne,

Congratulations on getting your CI in July. The will all

be there for you and support you through your recovery and into

the new sounds of hearing.

I am CI users since Nov. 2002 and had it hooked up in Dec. 2002.

Let me tell you how much I've enjoyed having the CI. It's worth

it for me. My journey has been wonderful experiences for me. I

have N24C. I have few friends who also have Clarion II as well as

they have been doing very well.

I know all of three brands are excellent. It will always up to

our decisions to pick the brand of CI what we feel is right inside

of our heart. It's wonderful to have group that we support

from one to another in different CI brands.

Smile, Wish you the best of your beginning of the CI journey.

Keep us update posts.

Dana Brower

N24C 11/2002

Springville, UT

[Guest guest]

>>But...I do wish you were getting the " Nuke " like I have, LOL. But, the

>>Clarion is a good implant also and has made many technological advances.

>>You'll be able to fill us in on High Resolution and their new BTE!<<

The brand selection was a tough choice for me, as my audiologist spoke well

of all and offered all of the major brands. I did admire the Nucleus

processor design, and I'm sure would be equally happy with that product as

well. Still, I'm implanting only one ear, so I've always got a " spare " if

I need further enhancements in the future!

Anne

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