Hi from DE

green427

green427

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Hello all...

Graduated from NTID back in '87, working as a DDC systems developer in the Delmarva region.

Deaf since 4 years old, wore aids until 7 years ago, now have a CI in my right ear. Will be getting a CI in the left ear soon!

Looking forward to chatting with y'all!!

Jim
 
:welcome: to AllDeaf forum. Have fun reading and posting all the threads here. See you around here. :wave:
 
Just read some of the posts on this forum, and have the following observations:

Discussions on CI's are prone to hurt feelings and tempers blown out of proportion.

Everyone speaks their minds openly...:shock: :lol:

This forum is a lot bigger than I thought...should have found it a long time ago!!



Anyway...regarding CI's: I got mine for three reasons: 1) My job is demanding and detail-oriented, I am always interacting with people, and my hearing aids were just not cutting it, 2) I was told that my insurance company would pay for the operation, and 3) Pressure to 'fit in' the hearing world better.


After 7 years of wearing the CI, here is my summary to all those who are considering CI's:

- The "hearing health" community out there preaches that CI's are going to "fix" you. This is pure bullshit.

True, hearing people that have just lost their hearing are doing much, much better than those of us who have been deaf most of our lives. My surgeon, who is pretty damned smart, warned me that since my brain is "wired" to the limited sounds from the last 35 years, it will be a slow learning process. He was right.

- CI's are NOT a cure. Think of them as a 'very powerful' hearing aid. Period.

- My family was disappointed that I still act, talk, and look like a deaf person. Well, duh! You expect me to change overnight after having a CI?? I had an argument with my thick-headed, staunch Right-Wing father after he royally pissed me off by saying "The CI fixed Rush Limbaugh, and he is back to normal, why didn't that happen to you?"

- The CI does help A LOT, but it is not perfect. If I worked and lived in a deaf community where interpreters are readily available, and communication among people was a breeze, I probably would not have done it.


- Probably the greatest outcome of having a CI is the big improvement and clarity in music. Listening to Pink Floyd's guitar solos brings tears to my eyes. This alone is a great reason to have a CI. Hearing the different tones and pitches of several musical instruments is impossible to describe. Now I know why hearing people must listen to music for serenity.

- I still consider myself as "Deaf", no matter what. When I turn the CI off, I don't hear a damned thing. Silence is golden sometimes.


:D
 
:welcome: to AllDeaf forum. I like the way you said about CI which can help hear with the "very powerful" hearing aid. That is true it is just a tool for us to hear, not to pick up the words or hear the perfect sound. Rush Limbaugh was hearing before he lost his hearing. If he was wearing hearing aid or CI, he can pick up the words if he is familiar with the sounds of the words than the deaf person (CI) who can hear, but can not pick up the words. I wish one of the ADers would read your comment about CI. I would love to read her expression as she write about it to you. But I don't think she will be on it for a while until she behave herself. :lol:

Anyway, I hope you have fun reading and posting all the threads here. See you around here. :wave:
 
I would add we have several popular members with CI, so don't worry too much. :)
 
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