Activation

[Guest guest]

Jerome, I'll tell you quick story about a lady who has worn a ci for years, but

unfortunately, she had to be without sound while her's was in for repairs, this

took nearly a month!! Apparently she didn't have a backup and was required to

send it into another state via mail, it was lost, long story short she finally

got it back and wore if for the first day again yesterday. She was very

unsatisfied with the sound and told my mom she'd just rather go without, it

sounded terrible. My mom (they work together) encouraged her to keep it on and

just see how it sounds and towards the end of the day. Mom says by the end of

the day, it sounded much better and she even had her smile back that had been

lost for weeks! So, although my kids are the ones in my house who wear ci's, it

sounds to me that even the seasoned listener may have problems w/getting used to

sounds after being w/out. I'm sure your next mapping will make it a lot better.

My daughter didn't want to wear her #2, stating

it was too little, but we encouraged it anyway and after the second mapping she

didn't complain and by the third she didn't want to be without it.Hang in there.

Val in AL

http://deafkidscanhear.blogspot.com

Parent Volunteer for Cochlear Awareness Network

Mom to Gage (6, one Nucleus Freedom)

Mom to Brook (3, bilateral Freedoms)

co-owner of advanced_avt

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Hi Jerome

You sound just like I did when I was in your time frame.. But bear with it

things will get better,, For a while I thought that everyone was sucking in

helium as everyone sounded like the munchkins from the Wizard of Oz.. I would

always question myself ..is this what I have been missing not hearing and why

would I want to hear when everything was sounding like this?? Now I can laugh

about it but in 2006 I was very scared that I may not have chosen the right

route.. BUT alas things did get better, lots of sounds changed for the better...

So with time I knew it was all worth everything... Yes there are some days when

I think no one should have to listen to some things.. But I think how lucky I

am , just a flick of the rest and silence can be golden when and where I need

it.. So stay tough and know that there is a rainbow shining at the end of this

road you are on...

Best of luck..

Jerome Tan <tan.jerome@...> wrote:

Hi there,

I just had my activation. But things were not that pleasant yet.

Sounds are quite high pitch, when I knock on the wood, it sounds like

metallic door or glass breaking. Voices do sound like Micky Mouse...

I'll be back on Tuesday for another mapping. I was told to get to use first

for the new sounds.

I wonder how fast I can understand speech...

Regards,

Jerome

[Guest guest]

--- Hi Jerome,

K. is right, hang in there! Glad you can hear and is

working too! Be sure you keep on wearing every day and you will hear

normal.

Jane Motrinec

In , " lisa " <lisak70@...> wrote:

>

> Jerome,

>

> It may take a little time before you're able to understand speech.

>

> When my first CI was activated, everything sounded extremely high

pitched and metallic. It took 2 weeks before I was able to start

understanding speech.

>

> Hang in there! The sound quality of what you hear will improve at

your next mapping.

>

>

>

> Left ear: Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

> Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

>

> Right ear: Nucleus Freedom

> Implanted: 2/1/06 Activated: 3/1/06

>

>

[Guest guest]

Do you encounter metallic sound with echoing effect? I encounter this when I

close metal doors.

Regards,

Jerome

On 7/27/07, lisa <lisak70@...> wrote:

>

> Jerome,

>

> It may take a little time before you're able to understand speech.

>

> When my first CI was activated, everything sounded extremely high pitched

> and metallic. It took 2 weeks before I was able to start understanding

> speech.

>

> Hang in there! The sound quality of what you hear will improve at your

> next mapping.

>

>

>

> Left ear: Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

> Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

>

> Right ear: Nucleus Freedom

> Implanted: 2/1/06 Activated: 3/1/06

>

>

[Guest guest]

Metal doors can ring a bit when closing them and I do hear a slight

echo depending on the room I am in. Nothing you said strike me as

being out of place.

> >

> > Jerome,

> >

> > It may take a little time before you're able to understand speech.

> >

> > When my first CI was activated, everything sounded extremely high

pitched

> > and metallic. It took 2 weeks before I was able to start

understanding

> > speech.

> >

> > Hang in there! The sound quality of what you hear will improve at

your

> > next mapping.

> >

> >

> >

> > Left ear: Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

> > Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

> >

> > Right ear: Nucleus Freedom

> > Implanted: 2/1/06 Activated: 3/1/06

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

You got the idea when you said things didnt sound good yet. The key

word is yet. This thing the brain does when a CI is first activated is

quite interesting. You might try listening to a familiar sound, and try to

remember what it should sound like and see if the brain doesnt kick in.

When I was activated, male and female voices were the same. Didnt take

long for that to change tho.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

--

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

Jerome asked:

" Do you encounter metallic sound with echoing effect? I encounter this when I

close metal doors. "

Yes, I do (and this is normal), but it depends on how large the room is and

whether or not the room has carpeting, draperies, furniture, etc.

Left ear: Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Right ear: Nucleus Freedom

Implanted: 2/1/06 Activated: 3/1/06

[Guest guest]

Dear Randy,

To me this means you have a " good " no a " great " well infomed Audi, she/he

knows how to get you started and using the " most likely " mapping to work and

work well from the start. As you progress and re-map and learn to hear via CI,

the adjustments will be made based on what you say and how you do over time.

Soon the CI speak (your post below) will be second nature to you, all of it will

make sence soon. Your job for now is to learn to hear via your CI. Speaking

from experience, 16 years, so many mappings I've lost count and now bilateral,

am hearing so well I could almost pass for a " hearing " person.

Your in for a great journey, keep posting and sharing as you move along.

Best of luck

Michele Shields

N22 - 1991- 3G

N24C- 2005 - Freedom

R C <deafened_ink@...> wrote:

Hi,

I asked my audiologist about my activation next week and they indicated:

" The plan would be to start you in:

ACE coding strategy

900 Hz stimulation rate

8 maxima

We will move the stim rate up or down and/or change the coding strategy from

there depending on how you do. "

What does that mean?

Randy

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for your supportive comments. Please understand that I am an

absolute fanatic about informed consent. As such I find myself totally annoyed

with myself for not having taken the time to more thoroughly investigate the

mapping process PRIOR to agreeing to surgery. The audiologist did ask me if I

had questions about it. I was in a fog and had no grasp of what to ask. Now

some of the fog is lifting I want to ask questions.

Is there a significant relationsip between stimulas rate and long term speech

speech comprehension? Is 8 Maxima something that is part of description of

stimulas rate information or does that have something to do with the number of

electrodes that are to be activated?

Randy

Michele Shields <mishell@...> wrote:

Dear Randy,

To me this means you have a " good " no a " great " well infomed Audi, she/he knows

how to get you started and using the " most likely " mapping to work and work well

from the start. As you progress and re-map and learn to hear via CI, the

adjustments will be made based on what you say and how you do over time. Soon

the CI speak (your post below) will be second nature to you, all of it will make

sence soon. Your job for now is to learn to hear via your CI. Speaking from

experience, 16 years, so many mappings I've lost count and now bilateral, am

hearing so well I could almost pass for a " hearing " person.

Your in for a great journey, keep posting and sharing as you move along.

Best of luck

Michele Shields

N22 - 1991- 3G

N24C- 2005 - Freedom

R C <deafened_ink@...> wrote:

Hi,

I asked my audiologist about my activation next week and they indicated:

" The plan would be to start you in:

ACE coding strategy

900 Hz stimulation rate

8 maxima

We will move the stim rate up or down and/or change the coding strategy from

there depending on how you do. "

What does that mean?

Randy

---------------------------------

Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with

FareChase.

[Guest guest]

Dan,

To minimize the " electric shock " , or suddenly going from silence to noise,

it may be helpful to turn down the volume prior to turning it off for the

day. Then when you turn it on the next time, the volume initially will be

lower and more comfortable, and then you can gradually increase the volume

to its original level. Some of us do find it helpful to have the hearing aid

on with the new CI to aid in learning sounds. The more you use the CI, the

quicker you may adapt to it. You can try listening to talking book CDs from

the library, perhaps a simple children's story you are acquainted. Practice,

practice, practice is important, but do give yourself some rest time too.

[Guest guest]

Dan,

's advice is excellent, but lets be clear, there is only one way

to progress - you have to wear it,and listen to it: an hour a day is

of no use.

The brain needs to experience the input to understand and adapt, its

a learning curve that only advances through effort. It can be hard at

first, and there are sometimes setbacks, but the more you work at it

the greater the rewards: so chin up and CI on!

>

> Dan,

> To minimize the " electric shock " , or suddenly going from silence to

noise,

> it may be helpful to turn down the volume prior to turning it off

for the

> day. Then when you turn it on the next time, the volume initially

will be

> lower and more comfortable, and then you can gradually increase the

volume

> to its original level. Some of us do find it helpful to have the

hearing aid

> on with the new CI to aid in learning sounds. The more you use the

CI, the

> quicker you may adapt to it. You can try listening to talking book

CDs from

> the library, perhaps a simple children's story you are acquainted.

Practice,

> practice, practice is important, but do give yourself some rest

time too.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dan,

My activation was last month and I also felt like it was electric shocks.? It

felt as if my brain was literally vibrating!? Even now I still feel that way at

times depending on the amount of noise I am around.? It gets better with time

and I am now actually hearing the sounds.? Some sounds are still " vibrations " to

me instead of sounds, but I am starting to tell the difference.? Keep on wearing

the processor and you will gradually become adjusted.? Good luck!

Vickie

Implanted 3/10/08

Activated 4/16/08

Activation

Hi,

Ok, I was activated this past Tues. Admittedly, parts of it didn't feel

too comfortable. Although I had a bit of a cold at the time so that may

have contributed to it.

Also, wore the CI for about an hour or so yesterday.

And now for the comments and questions.

First is that when I first put it on, I seem to almost feel a bit of an

electric shock. Is that the way it's supposed to be ? I don't know if

being profoundly deaf since birth and not wearing an hearing aid in the

implanted ear for some time would play a factor ?

Secondly, once I was wearing it, admittedly I didn't hear too much with

it. Although I was told in advance that could happen. Seems that I was

feeling the stimulations more so than hearing it ? It also seems that I

was also somewhat feeling the stimulations in my body ? Is that the way

it's supposed to be ?

Lastly, that even though it felt like I was feeling the stimulations

more so than hearing it. However, once I had the CI in my implanted ear

and then put the BTE in my other ear it felt like it was already

helping to improve my speech. So, that was a bit encouraging. I happen

to be living alone at the moment thus I couldn't test it with an

hearing person or something. Eventually that time will come though.

Constructive comments, suggestions or information anyone ?

I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance !

Dan

[Guest guest]

Hey, Dan,

Lots of people have said they feel the stimulation rather than speech in

the beginning. You've already received excellent suggestions (turn volume

down initially, wear more than one hour a day, etc.). I just want to add that

wearing your hearing aid in the other ear is FINE if it helps you! I wore mine

for 5 years prior to going bilateral. It definately helped me to adjust to

the CI. In this journey, the best rule is: Whatever works! Whatever gives

you the best hearing is the right way for you. OK? HTH (Hope this helps) )

Jackie

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch " Cooking with

Tyler Florence " on AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4 & ?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

[Guest guest]

To Vickie and to those that responded to my post, thanks for the

information and for your replies. I appreciate it.

Dan

>

> Dan,

> My activation was last month and I also felt like it was electric

shocks.? It felt as if my brain was literally vibrating!? Even now I

still feel that way at times depending on the amount of noise I am

around.? It gets better with time and I am now actually hearing the

sounds.? Some sounds are still " vibrations " to me instead of sounds,

but I am starting to tell the difference.? Keep on wearing the

processor and you will gradually become adjusted.? Good luck!

> Vickie

> Implanted 3/10/08

> Activated 4/16/08

>

>

> Activation

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi,

>

> Ok, I was activated this past Tues. Admittedly, parts of it didn't

feel

> too comfortable. Although I had a bit of a cold at the time so that

may

> have contributed to it.

>

> Also, wore the CI for about an hour or so yesterday.

>

> And now for the comments and questions.

>

> First is that when I first put it on, I seem to almost feel a bit

of an

> electric shock. Is that the way it's supposed to be ? I don't know

if

> being profoundly deaf since birth and not wearing an hearing aid in

the

> implanted ear for some time would play a factor ?

>

> Secondly, once I was wearing it, admittedly I didn't hear too much

with

> it. Although I was told in advance that could happen. Seems that I

was

> feeling the stimulations more so than hearing it ? It also seems

that I

> was also somewhat feeling the stimulations in my body ? Is that the

way

> it's supposed to be ?

>

> Lastly, that even though it felt like I was feeling the

stimulations

> more so than hearing it. However, once I had the CI in my implanted

ear

> and then put the BTE in my other ear it felt like it was already

> helping to improve my speech. So, that was a bit encouraging. I

happen

> to be living alone at the moment thus I couldn't test it with an

> hearing person or something. Eventually that time will come though.

>

> Constructive comments, suggestions or information anyone ?

>

> I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance !

>

> Dan

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dan

Having been deaf in the implanted ear since birth is definitely going to give

you some extra challenges in learning to hear with the CI. I'm sure having sound

all of a sudden on the implanted side is a bit overwhelming for you right now. I

felt like a deer in the head lights for a couple of weeks after activation and I

could hear some sound in my implanted ear before surgery. What you are dealing

with is not unusual. Try turning the volume down on the processor before you

put it on for the day so you don't get such a " jolt " of sound all at once. Wear

the processor longer and after a few hours push the volume up a notch. If you

are getting too fatigued then do take the processor off for a bit and let your

brain rest and then put the processor back on. You have to push yourself and

raise the bar all the time to get the hearing coming with a CI. The brain has

to adjust to having sound again and it is a HUGE factor for all of us in hearing

with a CI so you really have to work on the " brain training " :-). I bought a

cassette player and some good headphones that are big and fit over my processor

and HA in the other ear. The head phones have a noise reduction switch which

helps allot with the sound quality. I listen to books on tape and get them from

our local library for free so it is an inexpensive therapy. Get the unabridged

tapes and the book and read along as you listen to the tapes. If you can see the

words, you can hear them better and it trains the brain to recognize speech. You

will be surprised at how well this works. After four and half months, I can now

listen without the aid of the book and pretty much get most of the words ---

well, enough that I know what the story is about :-) I do use the " rewind "

button allot to back up back up and listen again if I didn't understand what was

said. ( Get books that you like so you don't get bored.

It makes a huge difference in how well I hear when I put my hearing aid in the

other ear. I don't have any speech understanding in my HA ear but the aid

brings in tones that the CI ear is not picking up yet and just gives me a much

better quality hearing.

I am by myself allot, too and and don't have anyone to practice hearing on until

hubby gets home from work. (and he is the quiet type so getting hearing practice

is a challenge around this house) You have to make yourself go out and be around

other people even if it is just going to the grocery store or the post office.

It will get better every day so give it some time. Keep notes so you can take

them to your audiologist at your next mapping. I think with the notes, you will

realize that you are making better progress then you realize when you read back

over them.

Good luck and keep us posted

" To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did "

Suzanne

Nebraska USA

Surgery 1/14/08

Activation Date 2/14/08

Ok, I was activated this past Tues. Admittedly, parts of it didn't feel

too comfortable. Although I had a bit of a cold at the time so that may

have contributed to it.

Also, wore the CI for about an hour or so yesterday.

And now for the comments and questions.

First is that when I first put it on, I seem to almost feel a bit of an

electric shock. Is that the way it's supposed to be ? I don't know if

being profoundly deaf since birth and not wearing an hearing aid in the

implanted ear for some time would play a factor ?

Secondly, once I was wearing it, admittedly I didn't hear too much with

it. Although I was told in advance that could happen. Seems that I was

feeling the stimulations more so than hearing it ? It also seems that I

was also somewhat feeling the stimulations in my body ? Is that the way

it's supposed to be ?

Lastly, that even though it felt like I was feeling the stimulations

more so than hearing it. However, once I had the CI in my implanted ear

and then put the BTE in my other ear it felt like it was already

helping to improve my speech. So, that was a bit encouraging. I happen

to be living alone at the moment thus I couldn't test it with an

hearing person or something. Eventually that time will come though.

Constructive comments, suggestions or information anyone ?

I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance !

Dan

[Guest guest]

Ok, thanks again everyone !

Dan

>

> Dan

> Having been deaf in the implanted ear since birth is definitely

going to give you some extra challenges in learning to hear with the

CI. I'm sure having sound all of a sudden on the implanted side is a

bit overwhelming for you right now. I felt like a deer in the head

lights for a couple of weeks after activation and I could hear some

sound in my implanted ear before surgery. What you are dealing with

is not unusual. Try turning the volume down on the processor before

you put it on for the day so you don't get such a " jolt " of sound

all at once. Wear the processor longer and after a few hours push the

volume up a notch. If you are getting too fatigued then do take the

processor off for a bit and let your brain rest and then put the

processor back on. You have to push yourself and raise the bar all

the time to get the hearing coming with a CI. The brain has to

adjust to having sound again and it is a HUGE factor for all of us in

hearing with a CI so you really have to work on the " brain

training " :-). I bought a cassette player and some good headphones

that are big and fit over my processor and HA in the other ear. The

head phones have a noise reduction switch which helps allot with the

sound quality. I listen to books on tape and get them from our local

library for free so it is an inexpensive therapy. Get the unabridged

tapes and the book and read along as you listen to the tapes. If you

can see the words, you can hear them better and it trains the brain

to recognize speech. You will be surprised at how well this works.

After four and half months, I can now listen without the aid of the

book and pretty much get most of the words --- well, enough that I

know what the story is about :-) I do use the " rewind " button allot

to back up back up and listen again if I didn't understand what was

said. ( Get books that you like so you don't get bored.

>

> It makes a huge difference in how well I hear when I put my

hearing aid in the other ear. I don't have any speech understanding

in my HA ear but the aid brings in tones that the CI ear is not

picking up yet and just gives me a much better quality hearing.

>

> I am by myself allot, too and and don't have anyone to practice

hearing on until hubby gets home from work. (and he is the quiet type

so getting hearing practice is a challenge around this house) You

have to make yourself go out and be around other people even if it is

just going to the grocery store or the post office. It will get

better every day so give it some time. Keep notes so you can take

them to your audiologist at your next mapping. I think with the

notes, you will realize that you are making better progress then you

realize when you read back over them.

>

> Good luck and keep us posted

>

> " To get something you never had, you have to do something you never

did "

>

> Suzanne

> Nebraska USA

> Surgery 1/14/08

> Activation Date 2/14/08

>

>

> Ok, I was activated this past Tues. Admittedly, parts of it didn't

feel

> too comfortable. Although I had a bit of a cold at the time so that

may

> have contributed to it.

>

> Also, wore the CI for about an hour or so yesterday.

>

> And now for the comments and questions.

>

> First is that when I first put it on, I seem to almost feel a bit

of an

> electric shock. Is that the way it's supposed to be ? I don't know

if

> being profoundly deaf since birth and not wearing an hearing aid in

the

> implanted ear for some time would play a factor ?

>

> Secondly, once I was wearing it, admittedly I didn't hear too much

with

> it. Although I was told in advance that could happen. Seems that I

was

> feeling the stimulations more so than hearing it ? It also seems

that I

> was also somewhat feeling the stimulations in my body ? Is that the

way

> it's supposed to be ?

>

> Lastly, that even though it felt like I was feeling the

stimulations

> more so than hearing it. However, once I had the CI in my implanted

ear

> and then put the BTE in my other ear it felt like it was already

> helping to improve my speech. So, that was a bit encouraging. I

happen

> to be living alone at the moment thus I couldn't test it with an

> hearing person or something. Eventually that time will come though.

>

> Constructive comments, suggestions or information anyone ?

>

> I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance !

>

> Dan

>

>

[Guest guest]

I had the same problem, when I got my second CI getting Zapped...

your C levels Comfort levels are tooo high. you are just putting too

much power to your implant... have audi turn down C levels and or

reduce the power output voltage manually if needed... it normally will

adjust automatically. if you still have a bit of swelling at the

implant site, it can take several months to go away completely then

it will require more power to cross that tissue barrier.

It you have never had sound in that ear, then just turn the levels

down to where you dont get zapped and wear it all day.... you will

probably find over time it starts to pick up sound in that ear....

also if not enough volume continues to be an issue, Bilateral

implants may be the best way to go.... you will get a huge jump in

precieved volume due to binaural amplification phenomenomomomom

however you spell it.

>

> Hi,

>

> Ok, I was activated this past Tues. Admittedly, parts of it didn't feel

> too comfortable. Although I had a bit of a cold at the time so that may

> have contributed to it.

>

> Also, wore the CI for about an hour or so yesterday.

>

> And now for the comments and questions.

>

> First is that when I first put it on, I seem to almost feel a bit of an

> electric shock. Is that the way it's supposed to be ? I don't know if

> being profoundly deaf since birth and not wearing an hearing aid in the

> implanted ear for some time would play a factor ?

>

> Secondly, once I was wearing it, admittedly I didn't hear too much with

> it. Although I was told in advance that could happen. Seems that I was

> feeling the stimulations more so than hearing it ? It also seems that I

> was also somewhat feeling the stimulations in my body ? Is that the way

> it's supposed to be ?

>

> Lastly, that even though it felt like I was feeling the stimulations

> more so than hearing it. However, once I had the CI in my implanted ear

> and then put the BTE in my other ear it felt like it was already

> helping to improve my speech. So, that was a bit encouraging. I happen

> to be living alone at the moment thus I couldn't test it with an

> hearing person or something. Eventually that time will come though.

>

> Constructive comments, suggestions or information anyone ?

>

> I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance !

>

> Dan

>

[Guest guest]

Dan,

When I was first activated, I actually felt " pulses " but I guess you

could say it felt like electronic shock. It went on for maybe several

months. I would say 98% of them are gone unless there is a really

really loud sound.

I just wore them everyday, starting at level 1, progressing slowly to

higher levels during the day. I just got used to it.

--

[Guest guest]

I've got a bit of advice - since you're implanted in your left ear, and if

you're driving after the activation, make sure your car window is up! (the

noise nearly blasted me out of the car)

Kat

Original Message:

-----------------

From: larry_burgess02895 lburg@...

Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:07:26 -0000

Subject: Activation

I'm going for my activation this Wednesday(9/10). Any advice or

suggestions for me?

I was implanted on 7/28. Yes it has been 6 weeks. Between the

audi's schedule, vacations, and my family's schedule, it worked out

fine. The tinnitus was definitely the worst for 2 weeks post op.

Since then it's quieted down a lot although it came back for a bit

when I caught a head cold which is normal for me.

Really looking forward to Wednesday. Trying not to get hopes too

high though. As someone on here said to me...'High Hopes, Low

Expectations'. Yeah right....I want to blast out of the gate hearing

everything! LOL

If all goes well as I hope, I may look to schedule an implant for the

right side withing 6 months. We'll see.

Larry

Implanted Left side 7/28

Activation 9/10

Hearding Aid Right side

--------------------------------------------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

LOL! Sound advice!!

Woundering if I should I duct tape the kids' mouths too?

I laughed when the audi suggested I should try to stay in a quiet environment

for a few days after activation. Yeah right...my house contains a wife, 3 young

kids, a dog, 3 cats, guinea pigs, plus neighborhood kids in and out. It's

either sink or swim with the noise.

Larry

---- " ksalkin@... " <ksalkin@...> wrote:

> I've got a bit of advice - since you're implanted in your left ear, and if

> you're driving after the activation, make sure your car window is up! (the

> noise nearly blasted me out of the car)

>

> Kat

>

> Original Message:

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

> From: larry_burgess02895 lburg@...

> Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:07:26 -0000

>

> Subject: Activation

>

>

> I'm going for my activation this Wednesday(9/10). Any advice or

> suggestions for me?

>

> I was implanted on 7/28. Yes it has been 6 weeks. Between the

> audi's schedule, vacations, and my family's schedule, it worked out

> fine. The tinnitus was definitely the worst for 2 weeks post op.

> Since then it's quieted down a lot although it came back for a bit

> when I caught a head cold which is normal for me.

>

> Really looking forward to Wednesday. Trying not to get hopes too

> high though. As someone on here said to me...'High Hopes, Low

> Expectations'. Yeah right....I want to blast out of the gate hearing

> everything! LOL

>

> If all goes well as I hope, I may look to schedule an implant for the

> right side withing 6 months. We'll see.

>

> Larry

> Implanted Left side 7/28

> Activation 9/10

> Hearding Aid Right side

>

>

>

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>

[Guest guest]

Hi Larry,

I had the op on 16/7 and was activicated on 20/8.

Not knowing your history of deafness, I was born profoundly deaf. The activation

was great and emotional as I never ever heard high pitches before and now I

could.

What would I say is have it keep it comfortable as possible and be very honest

with audi, don't make it any louder than you can cope with, few people i know

had made that mistakes they hated it from the beinging whereas i started at

comfortable levels and enjoyed the new journey of hearing.

All the best of luck

Charlotte

Activation

I'm going for my activation this Wednesday(9/ 10). Any advice or

suggestions for me?

I was implanted on 7/28. Yes it has been 6 weeks. Between the

audi's schedule, vacations, and my family's schedule, it worked out

fine. The tinnitus was definitely the worst for 2 weeks post op.

Since then it's quieted down a lot although it came back for a bit

when I caught a head cold which is normal for me.

Really looking forward to Wednesday. Trying not to get hopes too

high though. As someone on here said to me...'High Hopes, Low

Expectations' . Yeah right....I want to blast out of the gate hearing

everything! LOL

If all goes well as I hope, I may look to schedule an implant for the

right side withing 6 months. We'll see.

Larry

Implanted Left side 7/28

Activation 9/10

Hearding Aid Right side

[Guest guest]

Charlotte that is a very smart approach. It works best for anyone.....

especially children. I applaud your audiologist.

Happy Hearing!

Carol

Boca Raton, FL

N24C 3G left ear -12/11/01-upgraded to Freedom on 2/19/08

N Freedom- right ear- implanted 3/01/06 activated 4/6/06

Activation

I'm going for my activation this Wednesday(9/ 10). Any advice or

suggestions for me?

I was implanted on 7/28. Yes it has been 6 weeks. Between the

audi's schedule, vacations, and my family's schedule, it worked out

fine. The tinnitus was definitely the worst for 2 weeks post op.

Since then it's quieted down a lot although it came back for a bit

when I caught a head cold which is normal for me.

Really looking forward to Wednesday. Trying not to get hopes too

high though. As someone on here said to me...'High Hopes, Low

Expectations' . Yeah right....I want to blast out of the gate hearing

everything! LOL

If all goes well as I hope, I may look to schedule an implant for the

right side withing 6 months. We'll see.

Larry

Implanted Left side 7/28

Activation 9/10

Hearding Aid Right side

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Larry -- that is really exciting!

I was activated on August 20 and it was in the midst of a whirlwind of

activity. I went from activation to my mom's house for dinner with the

family, then the next morning my husband and I took my son to his

university to move into his dorm. I didn't have any chance to relax or be

in a quiet environment, that's for sure!

I have to echo the suggestions here -- keep the car windows up if you can,

and be conservative with the volume. I didn't have her set the volumes

quite as loud as I could have tolerated...I went a little lower. And I'm

glad that I did, because the CI was definitely not overwhelming for

me. This past mapping (my third one) I was a little aggressive with the

volume and I'm still trying to adjust to it!

If you use a lot of fans in your house, you might want to keep those off

for a day or two or just be aware that until you get used to it, the sound

of the fans running might overwhelm all the other sounds.

The only other thing I can think of is to stay positive. For me, when I

was activated everything sounded so weird and my own voice was just

bizarre. But I left the volume the way it was and kept the CI on all day,

and by the end of the evening things were starting to sound more like real

sounds instead of buzzing. It was kind of amazing! So just remember that

what you hear at first will be constantly changing and evolving over that

next week or two, until your next mapping.

Good luck!!

~Wendi in Illinois

http://suddensilence.wordpress.com/

[Guest guest]

Great advice. Thanks to all who piped in.

I'll be sure to let you know how I make out tomorrow.

Larry

---- Wendi <wendi@...> wrote:

> Congratulations, Larry -- that is really exciting!

>

> I was activated on August 20 and it was in the midst of a whirlwind of

> activity. I went from activation to my mom's house for dinner with the

> family, then the next morning my husband and I took my son to his

> university to move into his dorm. I didn't have any chance to relax or be

> in a quiet environment, that's for sure!

>

> I have to echo the suggestions here -- keep the car windows up if you can,

> and be conservative with the volume. I didn't have her set the volumes

> quite as loud as I could have tolerated...I went a little lower. And I'm

> glad that I did, because the CI was definitely not overwhelming for

> me. This past mapping (my third one) I was a little aggressive with the

> volume and I'm still trying to adjust to it!

>

> If you use a lot of fans in your house, you might want to keep those off

> for a day or two or just be aware that until you get used to it, the sound

> of the fans running might overwhelm all the other sounds.

>

> The only other thing I can think of is to stay positive. For me, when I

> was activated everything sounded so weird and my own voice was just

> bizarre. But I left the volume the way it was and kept the CI on all day,

> and by the end of the evening things were starting to sound more like real

> sounds instead of buzzing. It was kind of amazing! So just remember that

> what you hear at first will be constantly changing and evolving over that

> next week or two, until your next mapping.

>

> Good luck!!

>

> ~Wendi in Illinois

> http://suddensilence.wordpress.com/

>

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I was finally activated today.

<http://geo./serv?s=97359714/grpId=7962067/grpspId=1705013490/msgId

=60127/stime=1220972597/nc1=5170419/nc2=5191955/nc3=5379228> It was a long

first session, almost 2 1/2 hours. Went through a series of beeps to

establish the appropriate levels and frequencies. There were some

frequencies that I haven't heard in a long time , if ever. Very wierd

feeling to be hooked up to a computer and to suddenly hear sounds in your

head and realize it's not tinnitus. It was pretty cool to see the changes

being made for decibels and frequencies and see what you can and cannot

hear.

When the processor was actually turned on for speech, the voices all sounded

the same and computer generated(actually it is!). What caught my attention

immediately was the 'S' and 'SH' sounds. " Suzy sells seashells down by the

seashore " . I wasn't sure what to make of them at first. Is that normal? Is

that gibberish? I then realized it was something I was never really hearing

before. I've gone so long without hearing high frequencies that it's almost

another language for me to learn. Aaaa, Ooooo, Eeeee all sound the same

right now.

At one point, it was quiet in the room but I was hearing a noise through the

door behind me. My wife and the audi realized it was the fan from the

mainframe computer behind the door. I'm like...wow I can hear sounds in

another room?! Granted it was not clear at all but nothing is at this

point. At this point, the audi has a limited program installed with a

limited range of frequencies. I need to get used to this range before he

can expand it.

I drove home listening to everything in the car. Of course I had to try

listening to a CD. Then had to shut it off. Too much noise. I did however

hear the blinkers which was neat.

At home, I was next to my oldest son out in the backyard. At first, I

though he was talking to me but it was actually my youngest son's voice

across the yard. Again, nothing is clear right now but it was a good first

step today. I go back on Monday for another mapping. I was actually

hoping to understand more today so I'm trying very hard to be patient with

this....one step at a time.

Larry

Left Implanted 7/28/08

Left Activated 9/10/08