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Has anyone experienced very unpleasant vibrating sensation from the implant to
the point where the implant wearer would rather not wear the iplant? Can
anything be done about this?

Okay gang,

Things here have been a bit quiet. I guess I'll stir the pot.

What CI brands did you choose and why?

Only one available, best features, doctor recommended, friend's recommendation,
size, comfort, best performance, ranges, etc.?

Audiologist told me he is going to recommend the surgery for CI but I'm on
waiting list. I need as much information as possible for when I meet with CI
personnel in future. (VA is slow - welcome to socialized medicine).

As always, thanks for your input.

Tom

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Rick,

    Who are you refering to in your comment regarding someone doing well with
their CI because they were born hearing?

I have a feeling you are refering to me and in that case you are incorrect.  I
was NOT born hearing.  I was born with a severe loss that progressed over time. 
Your comment is the main reason I stated that my results with CIs is NOT
typical.  I also completed three hours of therapy every night after my first CI
along with wearing only the CI all day.

Lauren

--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, rfreeman@... wrote:
>
> Wait wait wait a minute, you are hearing well due to that you were born
> hearing ! It does not mean that every deaf can hear with a CI. It depends
> on the nature of auditory nerve survivals and cause of deafness.
>
>
> Rick
>

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wait wait wait a minute, you are hearing well due to that you were born
hearing ! It does not mean that every deaf can hear with a CI. It depends
on the nature of auditory nerve survivals and cause of deafness.


Rick

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Hi Tom,

    The anxiety that you express in relation to the surgery itself is normal. 
However, like Kathy said, the surgery is not bad at all.  My first CI surgery
was a little rough, however we think they used a too much anesthesia.  The
second CI surgery was excellent, I had no pain or anything negative.  The best
thing to do when you get to the surgery point is to ask your surgeon about his
techniques.  All surgeons use different techniques, such as how they close the
wound, how large the incision is, how long you have to wear the bandage, etc.
     The actual use of the CIs, vary for each person.  I spent my whole life (23
years) with a hearing loss.  I have always worn hearing aids.  Finally my
hearing progressed to the point of quailifying for a CI.  I received my first CI
in November.  I did extremely well so my surgeon agreed to implant my other ear.
I love both of my CIs and I don't regret my decision to implant both ears at
all.  I can tell you my results...however understand that they are not typical
for CI users.  I put a lot of time into therapy which is the main reason I think
I progressed so rapidly.

Before my CIs with HAs I heard 6% of sentences with each ear indpendently.  With
my right CI (3 weeks after activation) I was at 100% in quiet and 98% in noise. 
With my left ear (2 weeks after activation) I was at 96% in quiet and 97% in
noise.

My experience with music has been great.  I am a musician, I play the tuba and I
have had nothing but positive experiences with music and my CIs, however the key
again, is practicing.  With music I plug my direct connect into my CIs and
listen.

If you have any questions you can email me privately or look at my blog at
http://laurenfowlkes.blogspot.com/ where I talk about my journey in more detail.

I will say that my favorite thing to hear since having my CIs has been crickets.
I had never heard crickets until this spring after I received my second CI.  The
noise scared me and I had to get my husband to tell me what I was hearing.

Lauren

--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Tom Hagney" <tmhagney@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Lauren,
>
> Wow, what a great list of resources.
>
> I'm new to this forum and have been reading through some of the recent posts.
It appears that I can learn a lot here.
>
> Let me introduce myself. I am a 62 year old late deafened male. I started
losing my hearing probably in my 20's. Only became aware of a loss when I
finally got tested at age 35. The loss has been progressively getting worse.
Have lost over 75% of the low frequencies and 100% of all the mid and high
frequencies in both ears with the left ear being slightly better than the right.
I am currently wearing my 6th set of hearing aids. Word descrimination is almost
completely gone. Have seen several audiologists recently (second & third
opinions) and all agree that hearing aids aren't really helping and the next
step is a cochlear implant.
>
> I am very apprehensive about the operation. I can still enjoy listening to
instramentals with head sets.
>
> I speech read fairly well as long and the person(s) I am talking with speak
clearly (no luck with mumblers). My wife and I started taking ASL so that we can
communicate better. It is not my intention to abandon the hearing world and join
the Deaf community.
>
> I am unable to hear smoke, CO, propane, and weather band alarms, even with
hearing aids on. Thankfully my wife is hearing and alerts me when necessary.
>
> Speaking about my wife. She is very supportive and acts as my interpreter. She
handles all telephone communications for me. I am becoming quite good at text
messaging.
>
> Any and all information about CIs is appreciated. I've read the hype from
several vendors but I would like to learn about real world results of different
CIs. Why was a certain brand picked over others.
> Also, I realize that a great deal of training is going to be involved. Again,
the hype from the CI vendors always talks about instant success. I don't believe
that to be the case. However, there may be some instant success stories out
there.
>
> Thanks in advance for your input. Looking forward to reading your responses.
>
> Tom
>
>
> --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@> wrote:
> >
> > I am going to answer both Grace and Paul in the same email.
> >
> > Paul...the best thing you can do to help your newly implanted ear...and I
know it is hard...stop wearing the hearing aid in all possible situations.  If
you can, rely solely on the CI.  When I was activated with my first CI I took my
hearing aid out.  I kept it in my pocket so that if I was in a situation where I
had to have it I could get to it quickly.  As a school teacher I did fine, and
rarely needed the hearing aid as I can speech read.  Now that I have the second
CI I am not using the first one entirely in order to catch the new ear up as
well.
> >
> > Grace and Paul...therapy.
>

Hi Lauren,

Wow, what a great list of resources.

I'm new to this forum and have been reading through some of the recent posts. It
appears that I can learn a lot here.

Let me introduce myself. I am a 62 year old late deafened male. I started losing
my hearing probably in my 20's. Only became aware of a loss when I finally got
tested at age 35. The loss has been progressively getting worse. Have lost over
75% of the low frequencies and 100% of all the mid and high frequencies in both
ears with the left ear being slightly better than the right. I am currently
wearing my 6th set of hearing aids. Word descrimination is almost completely
gone. Have seen several audiologists recently (second & third opinions) and all
agree that hearing aids aren't really helping and the next step is a cochlear
implant.

I am very apprehensive about the operation. I can still enjoy listening to
instramentals with head sets.

I speech read fairly well as long and the person(s) I am talking with speak
clearly (no luck with mumblers). My wife and I started taking ASL so that we can
communicate better. It is not my intention to abandon the hearing world and join
the Deaf community.

I am unable to hear smoke, CO, propane, and weather band alarms, even with
hearing aids on. Thankfully my wife is hearing and alerts me when necessary.

Speaking about my wife. She is very supportive and acts as my interpreter. She
handles all telephone communications for me. I am becoming quite good at text
messaging.

Any and all information about CIs is appreciated. I've read the hype from
several vendors but I would like to learn about real world results of different
CIs. Why was a certain brand picked over others.
Also, I realize that a great deal of training is going to be involved. Again,
the hype from the CI vendors always talks about instant success. I don't believe
that to be the case. However, there may be some instant success stories out
there.

Thanks in advance for your input. Looking forward to reading your responses.

Tom


--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@...> wrote:
>
> I am going to answer both Grace and Paul in the same email.
>
> Paul...the best thing you can do to help your newly implanted ear...and I know
it is hard...stop wearing the hearing aid in all possible situations.  If you
can, rely solely on the CI.  When I was activated with my first CI I took my
hearing aid out.  I kept it in my pocket so that if I was in a situation where I
had to have it I could get to it quickly.  As a school teacher I did fine, and
rarely needed the hearing aid as I can speech read.  Now that I have the second
CI I am not using the first one entirely in order to catch the new ear up as
well.
>
> Grace and Paul...therapy.

Paul,

    Thanks for all your information about your case.  It is nice to hear others
stories.  We have the same implants internally and the same processors.  I
understand what you are saying about the faint sounds.  On my new ear...sounds
are faint when I wear it alone.  It doesn't bother me if I am using both because
the old ear is at 100% so it compensates for the new ear.  I am ready for an
adjustment to my new ear already, but I will have to wait until the 27th.

    Patience is the key with cochlear implants...it really is.  I agree with you
on trying a day with the CI only.  Keep your HA in your pocket in case you would
be in a situation where you had to have the aid.  I think if you could go for
two or three days with the CI only, you would be shocked with what you hear...it
may also be that you are ready for a mapping.

    Since I was implanted I have adjusted to mappings quickly and needed
adjustments sooner than we thought I would.  They gave me four progressively
louder programs on the new implant this past Monday and I have already went
through all four of them and I am ready for a new mapping.  If things are faint,
and you are ready for a change and for more "power" then consider scheduling a
mapping.

Lauren


--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "defcon1xcx" <pgoodchild@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Lauren,
>
> Thanks for including your blog link, it made interesting reading. I'm
delighted to hear your second implant operation has gone well. I wish you all
the best in your new classes, using both CI's. I also chose the Medel. I have
the Sonata ati100 and the opus 2.
>
> Up to about 3-4 years ago, I was able to also hear without the need to
concentrate. Around that time, having a cochlear implant was not even
considered. Only when I experienced a sudden drop in my hearing due to an
enlarged vestibular aquaduct, that I needed to explore alternatives to a HA.
I've gone through all the old analogue HA and moved to digital HA's over the
years. At the moment, I use lip reading to assist my understanding of speech.
>
> Back to the days events, most of the day I use both the CI and the HA and
either in the afternoon or evening, I use the CI on it's own for about 3 hours.
At the moment I have a game on the PC that uses just simple sounds and this, I
think is helping to 'tune the CI in'. I think that I may use the CI all day, and
see how it goes. In the back of your mind I want to keep the HA on, because at
this moment in time, I get more information from it.
>
> I've noticed that when just using my CI, I can hear just hear the keys as I
hit them on the keyboard. The sounds are very light. I can also hear other
sounds, like switches being switched. It all seems a bit distance and soft,
although I know the audi set the CI to 60%.
>
> It's reassuring to read the experiences you've had and this gives me more
patience. It's easy to feel like you just want it all to work straight away.
>
> Paul.
>

Hi Lauren,

Thanks for including your blog link, it made interesting reading. I'm delighted
to hear your second implant operation has gone well. I wish you all the best in
your new classes, using both CI's. I also chose the Medel. I have the Sonata
ati100 and the opus 2.

Up to about 3-4 years ago, I was able to also hear without the need to
concentrate. Around that time, having a cochlear implant was not even
considered. Only when I experienced a sudden drop in my hearing due to an
enlarged vestibular aquaduct, that I needed to explore alternatives to a HA.
I've gone through all the old analogue HA and moved to digital HA's over the
years. At the moment, I use lip reading to assist my understanding of speech.

Back to the days events, most of the day I use both the CI and the HA and either
in the afternoon or evening, I use the CI on it's own for about 3 hours. At the
moment I have a game on the PC that uses just simple sounds and this, I think is
helping to 'tune the CI in'. I think that I may use the CI all day, and see how
it goes. In the back of your mind I want to keep the HA on, because at this
moment in time, I get more information from it.

I've noticed that when just using my CI, I can hear just hear the keys as I hit
them on the keyboard. The sounds are very light. I can also hear other sounds,
like switches being switched. It all seems a bit distance and soft, although I
know the audi set the CI to 60%.

It's reassuring to read the experiences you've had and this gives me more
patience. It's easy to feel like you just want it all to work straight away.

Paul.

Paul,

    I was able to understand speech and sounds very quickly with both CIs.  I
have only had the second one activated for three days now and I can understand
speech without lipreading.  It is not easy but I can do it.  However, I am an
exception.  Most people do struggle more with CIs.  I have always done well with
both hearing aids and CIs but I think this is because while I had a progressive
loss, at one time I did not have to struggle to hear information as my hearing
was in the moderate severe range.  I think this made a lot of difference for me.
If you want to read more specific information about my experiences you can visit
my blog at http://laurenfowlkes.blogspot.com/
This blog is about my experience with my CIs and some of the things I have been
able to do.  It will take time.  I have had my old ear for 4 months now and
everyday it is clearer and better than the day before.  The new eaer is changing
drastically everyday right now.

Lauren

--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "defcon1xcx" <pgoodchild@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Lauren,
>
> Thank you for the information you've provided, this will come in handy. I've
spent 3 hours today with just my CI on, although I can't understand enough yet
to just have my CI on alone all the time.
>
> When you first started out, could you decipher the sounds you heard when you
only listened through the CI? I can hear sounds but I can't clearly hear them,
if that makes sense. It's only my second day with the CI, so I'm thinking it's
going to take time to become clear, but just wondered what your experience was
like.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Paul.
>
> --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@> wrote:
> >
> > Okay...I typed this once...but apparently it did not go where it was
supposed to, anyways...
> >
> > Paul...in my opinion the best thing you can do to help your CI performance
is to take off your hearing aid.  The hearing aid acts as a crutch by giving you
something familiar that you do not struggle with as much.  If you will take of
the hearing aid and use only the CI you might be surprised at what you can
understand.  When I had my first CI activated I took out my hearing aid and kept
it in my pocket.  I had it if I needed it, but I never used it.  I am a teacher
and I was able to do fine with the CI and speechreading as needed.
> >
> > Grace and Paul...therapy
> > Therapy is very important.  I completed most of mine independently, hwoever
I also did some with my husband and a speech therapist that works at my school.
> >
> > The following are some free web resources that I used...and they have some
great stuff in them.
> >
> > http://www.medel.com/US/Rehabilitation/sound-scape.php
> > http://www.bionicear.com/userfiles/File/Websites_For_Listening_Practice.pdf
> >
http://www.hearingjourney.com/Listening_Room/Teens_and_Adults/index.cfm?langid=1
> >
> > All of the implant companies also offer programs that can be purchased.  I
have not used any of these programs so I cannot vouch for what they include.  To
look into these programs visit any of the company websites and search therapy
and you will receive information.
> >
> > Grace...another thing that I did involved the Auditory Learning Guide.  I
don't know if you know about this chart or use it.  It is a developmental guide
for hearing that we use in my state when working with children with hearing
losses.  I created activities for the various stages and completed them with my
husband and the speech therapist that works at my school.
> >
> > While the listening does not magically appear it can be improved drastically
with therapy...other people recommend audio books.  Start with a hard copy and
the audio copy so you can follow along in the print and know what you are
hearing...eventually advance to understanding using only the audio book.
> >
> > I personally feel that the best thing to do is get rid of the hearing aid
during the initial stages of listening.  The hearing aid acts as a crutch,
disabling you more than enabling.  It is the same as breaking a hip...if you
rely on a walker for ever then you will probably never walk independently, but
if you take a chance you might be surprised.
> >
> > Lauren
> >
> >
> > --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "defcon1xcx" <pgoodchild@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I've recently experienced a drop in my hearing and I took steps to apply
for a cochlear implant. This was suggested to me by an audi at my local
hospital.
> > >
> > > I loss all my hearing in my left ear by the time I was 12 and 80% in my
right ear. I've been able to cope with the little remaining hearing I have in my
right ear using the most powerful hearing aid available, until my drop in
hearing. I'm now 34.
> > >
> > > Only yesterday I was switched on and I'm now wishing to start my therapy
to help my brain understand the information now being sent to it. I can
appreciate the work that needs to be done by the difference in sound I receive
in my implanted ear, verses my hearing aid.
> > >
> > > The question I have is what materials did you use for your 3 hours a day
therapy? Would you advise switching off the hearing aid while completing the
therapy.
> > >
> > > I hope that I receive the same gains as you, because my worse ear has also
been implanted first.
> > >
> > > Paul.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi Carolyn,
> > > >
> > > >     I also have a similar situation although not as long of a time span.
I was born with a moderate-severe progressive hearing loss.  I was diagnosed
late (3 years old) and I wore hearing aids for 21 years.  I finally became so
frustrated with struggling in different situations that I decided to try an
implant.  I was implanted in my first ear in Novmeber of 2008.  I was implanted
last week in my other ear.  I am listening with both implants now and I would
not trade them for anything.  Iam doing well with the implants...I can carry on
coversations without lipreading, I can talk on the phone, etc.  however I will
say that I am doing exceptionally well compared to most implant recipients.
> > > >
> > > >     I take it from your message that your hearing loss is also
progressive...if that is the case you would probably do better than someone who
has been profoundly deaf all their life.  I would talk with your aduiologist and
discuss your fears...I was terrified...but I figured it could not be much worse
than it was with the hearing aids.  I implanted what I thought was my worst ear
first...it did remarkable.  So I implanted the other one last week.  I am
listening with both now, and I would not trade them in.  Implants take a lot of
hard work to make them successful.  When I received my first implant, I spent an
average of three hours a day doing therapy...I think that is why I have done so
well with the implants.  I am now doing therapy with the new ear, and the ears
together.  As a teacher of the deaf, I find that most people think therapy is
only for the small children, but that is not the case.  Adults need the
listening therapy as well.
> > > >
> > > > Lauren
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, Carolyn1002 <carolyn1002@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > I am currently undergoing the cochlear evaluation process.  I have
many concerns and fears of going through with the implant.  I am 44 yrs old and
have been wearing the most powerful HA for 40 years in my right ear, my left ear
never benefited with aid, so no hearing there.  I have done very well in
mainstreamed school and went on to get a Masters Degree.  Relied heavily on
speech reading and adapted well in hearing world with frustration of course.
> > > > >
> > > > > Recently suffered a drop in hearing and sounds-speech have no clarity
along with tinnitus, driving me crazy.  Doctor recommended a cochlear implant.
> > > > > I am hoping someone here can share their experience going from a HA to
Cochlear implant.  Will I be able to have some clarity in hearing that I was
used to for many years?  Which means risking the little residual hearing.
> > > > > Or perhaps consider doing implant in bad left ear and leave right ear
with HA with the tinnitus.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks
> > > > > Carolyn
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

Hi Lauren,

Thank you for the information you've provided, this will come in handy. I've
spent 3 hours today with just my CI on, although I can't understand enough yet
to just have my CI on alone all the time.

When you first started out, could you decipher the sounds you heard when you
only listened through the CI? I can hear sounds but I can't clearly hear them,
if that makes sense. It's only my second day with the CI, so I'm thinking it's
going to take time to become clear, but just wondered what your experience was
like.

Thanks again,

Paul.

--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@...> wrote:
>
> Okay...I typed this once...but apparently it did not go where it was supposed
to, anyways...
>
> Paul...in my opinion the best thing you can do to help your CI performance is
to take off your hearing aid.  The hearing aid acts as a crutch by giving you
something familiar that you do not struggle with as much.  If you will take of
the hearing aid and use only the CI you might be surprised at what you can
understand.  When I had my first CI activated I took out my hearing aid and kept
it in my pocket.  I had it if I needed it, but I never used it.  I am a teacher
and I was able to do fine with the CI and speechreading as needed.
>
> Grace and Paul...therapy
> Therapy is very important.  I completed most of mine independently, hwoever I
also did some with my husband and a speech therapist that works at my school.
>
> The following are some free web resources that I used...and they have some
great stuff in them.
>
> http://www.medel.com/US/Rehabilitation/sound-scape.php
> http://www.bionicear.com/userfiles/File/Websites_For_Listening_Practice.pdf
>
http://www.hearingjourney.com/Listening_Room/Teens_and_Adults/index.cfm?langid=1
>
> All of the implant companies also offer programs that can be purchased.  I
have not used any of these programs so I cannot vouch for what they include.  To
look into these programs visit any of the company websites and search therapy
and you will receive information.
>
> Grace...another thing that I did involved the Auditory Learning Guide.  I
don't know if you know about this chart or use it.  It is a developmental guide
for hearing that we use in my state when working with children with hearing
losses.  I created activities for the various stages and completed them with my
husband and the speech therapist that works at my school.
>
> While the listening does not magically appear it can be improved drastically
with therapy...other people recommend audio books.  Start with a hard copy and
the audio copy so you can follow along in the print and know what you are
hearing...eventually advance to understanding using only the audio book.
>
> I personally feel that the best thing to do is get rid of the hearing aid
during the initial stages of listening.  The hearing aid acts as a crutch,
disabling you more than enabling.  It is the same as breaking a hip...if you
rely on a walker for ever then you will probably never walk independently, but
if you take a chance you might be surprised.
>
> Lauren
>
>
> --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "defcon1xcx" <pgoodchild@> wrote:
> >
> > I've recently experienced a drop in my hearing and I took steps to apply for
a cochlear implant. This was suggested to me by an audi at my local hospital.
> >
> > I loss all my hearing in my left ear by the time I was 12 and 80% in my
right ear. I've been able to cope with the little remaining hearing I have in my
right ear using the most powerful hearing aid available, until my drop in
hearing. I'm now 34.
> >
> > Only yesterday I was switched on and I'm now wishing to start my therapy to
help my brain understand the information now being sent to it. I can appreciate
the work that needs to be done by the difference in sound I receive in my
implanted ear, verses my hearing aid.
> >
> > The question I have is what materials did you use for your 3 hours a day
therapy? Would you advise switching off the hearing aid while completing the
therapy.
> >
> > I hope that I receive the same gains as you, because my worse ear has also
been implanted first.
> >
> > Paul.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Carolyn,
> > >
> > >     I also have a similar situation although not as long of a time span. 
I was born with a moderate-severe progressive hearing loss.  I was diagnosed
late (3 years old) and I wore hearing aids for 21 years.  I finally became so
frustrated with struggling in different situations that I decided to try an
implant.  I was implanted in my first ear in Novmeber of 2008.  I was implanted
last week in my other ear.  I am listening with both implants now and I would
not trade them for anything.  Iam doing well with the implants...I can carry on
coversations without lipreading, I can talk on the phone, etc.  however I will
say that I am doing exceptionally well compared to most implant recipients.
> > >
> > >     I take it from your message that your hearing loss is also
progressive...if that is the case you would probably do better than someone who
has been profoundly deaf all their life.  I would talk with your aduiologist and
discuss your fears...I was terrified...but I figured it could not be much worse
than it was with the hearing aids.  I implanted what I thought was my worst ear
first...it did remarkable.  So I implanted the other one last week.  I am
listening with both now, and I would not trade them in.  Implants take a lot of
hard work to make them successful.  When I received my first implant, I spent an
average of three hours a day doing therapy...I think that is why I have done so
well with the implants.  I am now doing therapy with the new ear, and the ears
together.  As a teacher of the deaf, I find that most people think therapy is
only for the small children, but that is not the case.  Adults need the
listening therapy as well.
> > >
> > > Lauren
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, Carolyn1002 <carolyn1002@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi all,
> > > > I am currently undergoing the cochlear evaluation process.  I have many
concerns and fears of going through with the implant.  I am 44 yrs old and have
been wearing the most powerful HA for 40 years in my right ear, my left ear
never benefited with aid, so no hearing there.  I have done very well in
mainstreamed school and went on to get a Masters Degree.  Relied heavily on
speech reading and adapted well in hearing world with frustration of course.
> > > >
> > > > Recently suffered a drop in hearing and sounds-speech have no clarity
along with tinnitus, driving me crazy.  Doctor recommended a cochlear implant.
> > > > I am hoping someone here can share their experience going from a HA to
Cochlear implant.  Will I be able to have some clarity in hearing that I was
used to for many years?  Which means risking the little residual hearing.
> > > > Or perhaps consider doing implant in bad left ear and leave right ear
with HA with the tinnitus.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Carolyn
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

Okay...I typed this once...but apparently it did not go where it was supposed
to, anyways...

Paul...in my opinion the best thing you can do to help your CI performance is to
take off your hearing aid.  The hearing aid acts as a crutch by giving you
something familiar that you do not struggle with as much.  If you will take of
the hearing aid and use only the CI you might be surprised at what you can
understand.  When I had my first CI activated I took out my hearing aid and kept
it in my pocket.  I had it if I needed it, but I never used it.  I am a teacher
and I was able to do fine with the CI and speechreading as needed.

Grace and Paul...therapy
Therapy is very important.  I completed most of mine independently, hwoever I
also did some with my husband and a speech therapist that works at my school.

The following are some free web resources that I used...and they have some great
stuff in them.

http://www.medel.com/US/Rehabilitation/sound-scape.php
http://www.bionicear.com/userfiles/File/Websites_For_Listening_Practice.pdf
http://www.hearingjourney.com/Listening_Room/Teens_and_Adults/index.cfm?langid=1

All of the implant companies also offer programs that can be purchased.  I have
not used any of these programs so I cannot vouch for what they include.  To look
into these programs visit any of the company websites and search therapy and you
will receive information.

Grace...another thing that I did involved the Auditory Learning Guide.  I don't
know if you know about this chart or use it.  It is a developmental guide for
hearing that we use in my state when working with children with hearing losses. 
I created activities for the various stages and completed them with my husband
and the speech therapist that works at my school.

While the listening does not magically appear it can be improved drastically
with therapy...other people recommend audio books.  Start with a hard copy and
the audio copy so you can follow along in the print and know what you are
hearing...eventually advance to understanding using only the audio book.

I personally feel that the best thing to do is get rid of the hearing aid during
the initial stages of listening.  The hearing aid acts as a crutch, disabling
you more than enabling.  It is the same as breaking a hip...if you rely on a
walker for ever then you will probably never walk independently, but if you take
a chance you might be surprised.

Lauren


--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "defcon1xcx" <pgoodchild@...> wrote:
>
> I've recently experienced a drop in my hearing and I took steps to apply for a
cochlear implant. This was suggested to me by an audi at my local hospital.
>
> I loss all my hearing in my left ear by the time I was 12 and 80% in my right
ear. I've been able to cope with the little remaining hearing I have in my right
ear using the most powerful hearing aid available, until my drop in hearing. I'm
now 34.
>
> Only yesterday I was switched on and I'm now wishing to start my therapy to
help my brain understand the information now being sent to it. I can appreciate
the work that needs to be done by the difference in sound I receive in my
implanted ear, verses my hearing aid.
>
> The question I have is what materials did you use for your 3 hours a day
therapy? Would you advise switching off the hearing aid while completing the
therapy.
>
> I hope that I receive the same gains as you, because my worse ear has also
been implanted first.
>
> Paul.
>
>
>
>
> --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Carolyn,
> >
> >     I also have a similar situation although not as long of a time span.  I
was born with a moderate-severe progressive hearing loss.  I was diagnosed late
(3 years old) and I wore hearing aids for 21 years.  I finally became so
frustrated with struggling in different situations that I decided to try an
implant.  I was implanted in my first ear in Novmeber of 2008.  I was implanted
last week in my other ear.  I am listening with both implants now and I would
not trade them for anything.  Iam doing well with the implants...I can carry on
coversations without lipreading, I can talk on the phone, etc.  however I will
say that I am doing exceptionally well compared to most implant recipients.
> >
> >     I take it from your message that your hearing loss is also
progressive...if that is the case you would probably do better than someone who
has been profoundly deaf all their life.  I would talk with your aduiologist and
discuss your fears...I was terrified...but I figured it could not be much worse
than it was with the hearing aids.  I implanted what I thought was my worst ear
first...it did remarkable.  So I implanted the other one last week.  I am
listening with both now, and I would not trade them in.  Implants take a lot of
hard work to make them successful.  When I received my first implant, I spent an
average of three hours a day doing therapy...I think that is why I have done so
well with the implants.  I am now doing therapy with the new ear, and the ears
together.  As a teacher of the deaf, I find that most people think therapy is
only for the small children, but that is not the case.  Adults need the
listening therapy as well.
> >
> > Lauren
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, Carolyn1002 <carolyn1002@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > > I am currently undergoing the cochlear evaluation process.  I have many
concerns and fears of going through with the implant.  I am 44 yrs old and have
been wearing the most powerful HA for 40 years in my right ear, my left ear
never benefited with aid, so no hearing there.  I have done very well in
mainstreamed school and went on to get a Masters Degree.  Relied heavily on
speech reading and adapted well in hearing world with frustration of course.
> > >
> > > Recently suffered a drop in hearing and sounds-speech have no clarity
along with tinnitus, driving me crazy.  Doctor recommended a cochlear implant.
> > > I am hoping someone here can share their experience going from a HA to
Cochlear implant.  Will I be able to have some clarity in hearing that I was
used to for many years?  Which means risking the little residual hearing.
> > > Or perhaps consider doing implant in bad left ear and leave right ear with
HA with the tinnitus.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Carolyn
> > >
> >
>

I am going to answer both Grace and Paul in the same email.

Paul...the best thing you can do to help your newly implanted ear...and I know
it is hard...stop wearing the hearing aid in all possible situations.  If you
can, rely solely on the CI.  When I was activated with my first CI I took my
hearing aid out.  I kept it in my pocket so that if I was in a situation where I
had to have it I could get to it quickly.  As a school teacher I did fine, and
rarely needed the hearing aid as I can speech read.  Now that I have the second
CI I am not using the first one entirely in order to catch the new ear up as
well.

Grace and Paul...therapy.
Well the main thing I did was I did not use my hearing aid as mentioned above. 
Other than that there are some great resources on the web.  Regardless of
implant companies they all offer some different activities.  I have included the
websites of my favorites.  I did not participate in any therapy at my clinic, I
was not recommended for it by my audiologist.  She felt that I would do fine on
my own.

These resources are all online and free to use.

http://www.bionicear.com/userfiles/File/Websites_For_Listening_Practice.pdf
http://www.hearingjourney.com/Listening_Room/Teens_and_Adults/index.cfm?langid=1
http://www.medel.com/US/Rehabilitation/sound-scape.php

There are also materials that can be purchased.

http://www.medel.com/US/Rehabilitation/Adult-Habilitation.php
http://www.cochlearamericas.com/support/2427.asp
http://www.bionicear.com/Support_Center/Educational_Support/Therapy_Resources_fo\
r_Adults.cfm?langid=1

I have not used any of the products that are purchased through the implant
companies so I cannot vouch for what they include.

Grace...One of the other things I did was I started at the beginning.  I am not
sure if you are aware of the Auditory Learning Guide, but it is a developmental
listening chart that we use in my state with children with hearing losses.  I
went through and developed activities and then the speech therapist that I work
with and my husband would compltete the activities with me.

The number one factor I think...in improving implant usage is getting rid of the
hearing aid during the initial stages.  Otherwise your hearing aid acts as a
crutch. Similar with breaking a hip...you eventually have to give up the walker
and venture out on your own if you want to be independent again.

Lauren


--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "defcon1xcx" <pgoodchild@...> wrote:
>
> I've recently experienced a drop in my hearing and I took steps to apply for a
cochlear implant. This was suggested to me by an audi at my local hospital.
>
> I loss all my hearing in my left ear by the time I was 12 and 80% in my right
ear. I've been able to cope with the little remaining hearing I have in my right
ear using the most powerful hearing aid available, until my drop in hearing. I'm
now 34.
>
> Only yesterday I was switched on and I'm now wishing to start my therapy to
help my brain understand the information now being sent to it. I can appreciate
the work that needs to be done by the difference in sound I receive in my
implanted ear, verses my hearing aid.
>
> The question I have is what materials did you use for your 3 hours a day
therapy? Would you advise switching off the hearing aid while completing the
therapy.
>
> I hope that I receive the same gains as you, because my worse ear has also
been implanted first.
>
> Paul.
>
>
>
>
> --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Carolyn,
> >
> >     I also have a similar situation although not as long of a time span.  I
was born with a moderate-severe progressive hearing loss.  I was diagnosed late
(3 years old) and I wore hearing aids for 21 years.  I finally became so
frustrated with struggling in different situations that I decided to try an
implant.  I was implanted in my first ear in Novmeber of 2008.  I was implanted
last week in my other ear.  I am listening with both implants now and I would
not trade them for anything.  Iam doing well with the implants...I can carry on
coversations without lipreading, I can talk on the phone, etc.  however I will
say that I am doing exceptionally well compared to most implant recipients.
> >
> >     I take it from your message that your hearing loss is also
progressive...if that is the case you would probably do better than someone who
has been profoundly deaf all their life.  I would talk with your aduiologist and
discuss your fears...I was terrified...but I figured it could not be much worse
than it was with the hearing aids.  I implanted what I thought was my worst ear
first...it did remarkable.  So I implanted the other one last week.  I am
listening with both now, and I would not trade them in.  Implants take a lot of
hard work to make them successful.  When I received my first implant, I spent an
average of three hours a day doing therapy...I think that is why I have done so
well with the implants.  I am now doing therapy with the new ear, and the ears
together.  As a teacher of the deaf, I find that most people think therapy is
only for the small children, but that is not the case.  Adults need the
listening therapy as well.
> >
> > Lauren
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, Carolyn1002 <carolyn1002@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > > I am currently undergoing the cochlear evaluation process.  I have many
concerns and fears of going through with the implant.  I am 44 yrs old and have
been wearing the most powerful HA for 40 years in my right ear, my left ear
never benefited with aid, so no hearing there.  I have done very well in
mainstreamed school and went on to get a Masters Degree.  Relied heavily on
speech reading and adapted well in hearing world with frustration of course.
> > >
> > > Recently suffered a drop in hearing and sounds-speech have no clarity
along with tinnitus, driving me crazy.  Doctor recommended a cochlear implant.
> > > I am hoping someone here can share their experience going from a HA to
Cochlear implant.  Will I be able to have some clarity in hearing that I was
used to for many years?  Which means risking the little residual hearing.
> > > Or perhaps consider doing implant in bad left ear and leave right ear with
HA with the tinnitus.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Carolyn
> > >
> >
>

Lauren,
Would you mind going into more detail about the type of therapy you did?
Was it all formal (ie, with an auditory rehab therapist) or at home or a
mix of the two? I am about to get my implant and am committed to doing
weekly rehab (which is what my clinic offers) but wondering if you have
other tips to share. As a fellow TOD, I too understand the importance of
homework!!!!
Thanks, Grace

I've recently experienced a drop in my hearing and I took steps to apply for a
cochlear implant. This was suggested to me by an audi at my local hospital.

I loss all my hearing in my left ear by the time I was 12 and 80% in my right
ear. I've been able to cope with the little remaining hearing I have in my right
ear using the most powerful hearing aid available, until my drop in hearing. I'm
now 34.

Only yesterday I was switched on and I'm now wishing to start my therapy to help
my brain understand the information now being sent to it. I can appreciate the
work that needs to be done by the difference in sound I receive in my implanted
ear, verses my hearing aid.

The question I have is what materials did you use for your 3 hours a day
therapy? Would you advise switching off the hearing aid while completing the
therapy.

I hope that I receive the same gains as you, because my worse ear has also been
implanted first.

Paul.




--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren" <patriot_tuba@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Carolyn,
>
>     I also have a similar situation although not as long of a time span.  I
was born with a moderate-severe progressive hearing loss.  I was diagnosed late
(3 years old) and I wore hearing aids for 21 years.  I finally became so
frustrated with struggling in different situations that I decided to try an
implant.  I was implanted in my first ear in Novmeber of 2008.  I was implanted
last week in my other ear.  I am listening with both implants now and I would
not trade them for anything.  Iam doing well with the implants...I can carry on
coversations without lipreading, I can talk on the phone, etc.  however I will
say that I am doing exceptionally well compared to most implant recipients.
>
>     I take it from your message that your hearing loss is also
progressive...if that is the case you would probably do better than someone who
has been profoundly deaf all their life.  I would talk with your aduiologist and
discuss your fears...I was terrified...but I figured it could not be much worse
than it was with the hearing aids.  I implanted what I thought was my worst ear
first...it did remarkable.  So I implanted the other one last week.  I am
listening with both now, and I would not trade them in.  Implants take a lot of
hard work to make them successful.  When I received my first implant, I spent an
average of three hours a day doing therapy...I think that is why I have done so
well with the implants.  I am now doing therapy with the new ear, and the ears
together.  As a teacher of the deaf, I find that most people think therapy is
only for the small children, but that is not the case.  Adults need the
listening therapy as well.
>
> Lauren
>
>
>
> --- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, Carolyn1002 <carolyn1002@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> > I am currently undergoing the cochlear evaluation process.  I have many
concerns and fears of going through with the implant.  I am 44 yrs old and have
been wearing the most powerful HA for 40 years in my right ear, my left ear
never benefited with aid, so no hearing there.  I have done very well in
mainstreamed school and went on to get a Masters Degree.  Relied heavily on
speech reading and adapted well in hearing world with frustration of course.
> >
> > Recently suffered a drop in hearing and sounds-speech have no clarity along
with tinnitus, driving me crazy.  Doctor recommended a cochlear implant.
> > I am hoping someone here can share their experience going from a HA to
Cochlear implant.  Will I be able to have some clarity in hearing that I was
used to for many years?  Which means risking the little residual hearing.
> > Or perhaps consider doing implant in bad left ear and leave right ear with
HA with the tinnitus.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Carolyn
> >
>

Hi Carolyn,

     I also have a similar situation although not as long of a time span.  I was
born with a moderate-severe progressive hearing loss.  I was diagnosed late (3
years old) and I wore hearing aids for 21 years.  I finally became so frustrated
with struggling in different situations that I decided to try an implant.  I was
implanted in my first ear in Novmeber of 2008.  I was implanted last week in my
other ear.  I am listening with both implants now and I would not trade them for
anything.  Iam doing well with the implants...I can carry on coversations
without lipreading, I can talk on the phone, etc.  however I will say that I am
doing exceptionally well compared to most implant recipients.

     I take it from your message that your hearing loss is also progressive...if
that is the case you would probably do better than someone who has been
profoundly deaf all their life.  I would talk with your aduiologist and discuss
your fears...I was terrified...but I figured it could not be much worse than it
was with the hearing aids.  I implanted what I thought was my worst ear
first...it did remarkable.  So I implanted the other one last week.  I am
listening with both now, and I would not trade them in.  Implants take a lot of
hard work to make them successful.  When I received my first implant, I spent an
average of three hours a day doing therapy...I think that is why I have done so
well with the implants.  I am now doing therapy with the new ear, and the ears
together.  As a teacher of the deaf, I find that most people think therapy is
only for the small children, but that is not the case.  Adults need the
listening therapy as well.

Lauren



--- In CI-Prelinguals@yahoogroups.com, Carolyn1002 <carolyn1002@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I am currently undergoing the cochlear evaluation process.  I have many
concerns and fears of going through with the implant.  I am 44 yrs old and have
been wearing the most powerful HA for 40 years in my right ear, my left ear
never benefited with aid, so no hearing there.  I have done very well in
mainstreamed school and went on to get a Masters Degree.  Relied heavily on
speech reading and adapted well in hearing world with frustration of course.
>
> Recently suffered a drop in hearing and sounds-speech have no clarity along
with tinnitus, driving me crazy.  Doctor recommended a cochlear implant.
> I am hoping someone here can share their experience going from a HA to
Cochlear implant.  Will I be able to have some clarity in hearing that I was
used to for many years?  Which means risking the little residual hearing.
> Or perhaps consider doing implant in bad left ear and leave right ear with HA
with the tinnitus.
>
> Thanks
> Carolyn
>