HoH having Questions/Concerns about CI

[TheKnightRider]

Hello, and I'm pleased to be here! My name is Paul and this is my first post.

I have a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in which I use digital hearing aides. The hearing aides are the GN Resound Canta 7 series and they were state-of-the-art when I first got them back in 2001 ... I think they still are! With the aides on, I have about a 50% loss in my right ear (I hear higher frequencies the best) while my left ear has a whopping 90% loss (I faintly hear low-frequency bassy sounds only). Over the years, however, my hearing has gotten steadily worse in both ears, to the point where my audiologist now recommends I seriously consider a CI for my left ear.

I have recently earned my Ph.D in environmental sciences and meteorology and am very proud to have achieved this goal! Despite having the digital aides, I felt that seminars hosted by the professors and students in my department placed me at a disadvantage, since the lights were dimmed (during the Powerpoint presentation) and I had a hard time reading lips in a darkened room to supplement the residual hearing I had left, so I didn't attend many of these seminars. Now that my education is complete, and I am searching for employment in the field, my parents are seriously pushing me to consider a CI.

The initial concern, and it's a big one for me, is the relatively invasive (in my eyes) surgery involved to install a CI behind my ear. The turning point for me was this past summer, when I was hearing my friends talk on the beach yet found it nearly impossible for me to understand the words in our crowded area. Even with the "Restaurant Mode" on my hearing aides activated (front microphones are turned on while the aides minimize lower-frequency sounds around me), I never felt so lost. That day, I decided to go ahead with the surgery and get a CI. As a bonus, my insurance fully covers one CI!

For my fellow forum members who have CI implants, what did you do to overcome your initial trepidation regarding surgery? My audiologist told me that most of these implants are successful, while a few of them might not be (which is why he does not recommend a CI for my right ear ... the good ear). I heard that there are different kinds of CIs, but does each one work with a common "base" installation? That is, do I need to choose what kind of CI I want to have before surgery, or is the feature option an "external" one behind the ear?

I live in New Jersey reasonably close to NYC and would appreciate some suggestions on how to find an ideal CI surgeon who specializes in this kind of surgery. Are there some certifications I should consider when choosing a surgeon or office? It seems that, ideally, I would want a surgeon who is old enough to be experienced and successful with CI surgery yet young enough to be familiar with the recent CI implants. I know this is ideal but I certainly want to keep my options open and not limit myself based on the age of the surgeon but his EXPERIENCE. Any advice or suggestions?

I am 37 years old and have known my audiologist since I first got hearing aides when I was 6 years old! He has become like a family member to me, and even traveled to hear me defend my Ph.D research!! That is, I have known my audiologist longer than he has known his first ex-wife!

I hope that my questions start some engaging discussion. Thanks again for your time, patience, and advice. You bet I look forward to hearing from you.

Paul

 

[Hear Again]

For my fellow forum members who have CI implants, what did you do to overcome your initial trepidation regarding surgery?

I talked to other CI users through various e-mail message boards to find out more about their experiences. I also asked questions of my CI surgeon who explained the process in a manner I could understand.

I heard that there are different kinds of CIs, but does each one work with a common "base" installation? That is, do I need to choose what kind of CI I want to have before surgery, or is the feature option an "external" one behind the ear?

There are 3 manufacturers of CIs: Advanced Bionics (Harmony CI), Med-El (I believe Opus CI -- someone please correct me if I'm wrong) and Cochlear (Freedom CI). Each of them have different features such as rechargeable batteries, disposeable batteries, 4 separate programs for each map (a special "program" for your CI), splashproof exterior, etc. All of them allow you to hear, so it is basically a matter of choosing what features best fit your lifestyle. Lady Sekhmet, another AD member, wrote a post which outlined the pros and cons of each device. After you become a CI candidate, you might want to ask her for this information.

I live in New Jersey reasonably close to NYC and would appreciate some suggestions on how to find an ideal CI surgeon who specializes in this kind of surgery.

You can find a CI clinic in your area by going to Cochlear's website:

Cochlear: World leader in advanced hearing solutions. Nucleus cochlear implants and the Baha system.

and clicking on the link that reads, "Find a Clinic."

Are there some certifications I should consider when choosing a surgeon or office?

I don't know about specific certifications, but when I chose my CI center, it was based on the fact that it is a large teaching hospital. (I have two CI centers in my area and the other CI center is very small.) I also chose my CI center because of the CI audi I worked with. In regards to my CI surgeon, my CI center set up an appointment for me to meet with him. I felt quite comfortable with him and his ability to answer all of my questions, so didn't feel the need to request another surgeon. Having said that, I think the most important relationship you can have is with your CI audi since he/she will be the one responsible for working with you (especially during the first year you have your CI) to fine tune your implant.

I wish you all the best with your CI journey!

i

 

[jillio]

Hear Again has given you some good advise. I'll leave the advise giving to those who actually have a CI. But I did want to say, congratualtions on the PhD. I defend my thesis in November. My knees are already knoecking everytime I think about it!

 

[vallee]

Hello, and I'm pleased to be here! My name is Paul and this is my first post.
Hi Paul, I'm Valerie and I have bilateral cochlear implants. I hope several of the ci users can help with questions. I have had my implants for a year now.
I have a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in which I use digital hearing aides. The hearing aides are the GN Resound Canta 7 series and they were state-of-the-art when I first got them back in 2001 ... I think they still are! With the aides on, I have about a 50% loss in my right ear (I hear higher frequencies the best) while my left ear has a whopping 90% loss (I faintly hear low-frequency bassy sounds only). Over the years, however, my hearing has gotten steadily worse in both ears, to the point where my audiologist now recommends I seriously consider a CI for my left ear.
Did you audie schedule an appointment with the cochlear implant audiologist? The next step is that and to schedule an appointment with the CI surgeon. Your audie will have the name so the doctors that do this surgery.
I have recently earned my Ph.D in environmental sciences and meteorology and am very proud to have achieved this goal! Despite having the digital aides, I felt that seminars hosted by the professors and students in my department placed me at a disadvantage, since the lights were dimmed (during the Powerpoint presentation) and I had a hard time reading lips in a darkened room to supplement the residual hearing I had left, so I didn't attend many of these seminars. Now that my education is complete, and I am searching for employment in the field, my parents are seriously pushing me to consider a CI.
Congratulations. I remember the struggles in college for my B.S. and M.S. too.
The initial concern, and it's a big one for me, is the relatively invasive (in my eyes) surgery involved to install a CI behind my ear. The turning point for me was this past summer, when I was hearing my friends talk on the beach yet found it nearly impossible for me to understand the words in our crowded area. Even with the "Restaurant Mode" on my hearing aides activated (front microphones are turned on while the aides minimize lower-frequency sounds around me), I never felt so lost. That day, I decided to go ahead with the surgery and get a CI. As a bonus, my insurance fully covers one CI!
The surgery is minor. It is same day surgery. Mine too over 5 hours because I had both ears done at once. Most surgery takes 2 hours and your back on your feet within a week. Check the three makers sites, Advanced Bionics, Med-El, and Cochlear it explains the surgery and outcomes. Research is your best tool.
For my fellow forum members who have CI implants, what did you do to overcome your initial trepidation regarding surgery? My audiologist told me that most of these implants are successful, while a few of them might not be (which is why he does not recommend a CI for my right ear ... the good ear). I heard that there are different kinds of CIs, but does each one work with a common "base" installation? That is, do I need to choose what kind of CI I want to have before surgery, or is the feature option an "external" one behind the ear?
The internal device involves the surgery. The external device is the speech processor, It looks like a hearing aid except the magnet rest on the internal device. Since I wore hearing aids for 27 years, it is not different to wear than the aids. The outcome is very different.
I live in New Jersey reasonably close to NYC and would appreciate some suggestions on how to find an ideal CI surgeon who specializes in this kind of surgery. Are there some certifications I should consider when choosing a surgeon or office? It seems that, ideally, I would want a surgeon who is old enough to be experienced and successful with CI surgery yet young enough to be familiar with the recent CI implants. I know this is ideal but I certainly want to keep my options open and not limit myself based on the age of the surgeon but his EXPERIENCE. Any advice or suggestions?

I am 37 years old and have known my audiologist since I first got hearing aides when I was 6 years old! He has become like a family member to me, and even traveled to hear me defend my Ph.D research!! That is, I have known my audiologist longer than he has known his first ex-wife!

I hope that my questions start some engaging discussion. Thanks again for your time, patience, and advice. You bet I look forward to hearing from you.
Also I recommand you visit deafvillage. It contains blogs of people who share there experiences. Many post their activation videos. My blog is talesfromacigal.blogspot.com
Paul

see my comments in bold

 

[hugoboss84]

Hello, and I'm pleased to be here! My name is Paul and this is my first post.

I have a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in which I use digital hearing aides. The hearing aides are the GN Resound Canta 7 series and they were state-of-the-art when I first got them back in 2001 ... I think they still are! With the aides on, I have about a 50% loss in my right ear (I hear higher frequencies the best) while my left ear has a whopping 90% loss (I faintly hear low-frequency bassy sounds only). Over the years, however, my hearing has gotten steadily worse in both ears, to the point where my audiologist now recommends I seriously consider a CI for my left ear.

Yes Paul, hearing getting worse with age is fairly common I believe. I also used to wear only hearing aids and during the last 4 years my hearing deteriorated steadily to an extent that I needed a CI badly. It was not until this summer when I decided to get a CI for myself.

I have recently earned my Ph.D in environmental sciences and meteorology and am very proud to have achieved this goal! Despite having the digital aides, I felt that seminars hosted by the professors and students in my department placed me at a disadvantage, since the lights were dimmed (during the Powerpoint presentation) and I had a hard time reading lips in a darkened room to supplement the residual hearing I had left, so I didn't attend many of these seminars. Now that my education is complete, and I am searching for employment in the field, my parents are seriously pushing me to consider a CI.


Thats very impressive to hear about your PhD. You have come a long way, and thats quiet remarkable. Yes, seminars can be a big problem especially in dim light. FYI if you still happen to go to any seminars in the future, front seating might be helpful, or best tell the speaker before-hand that to have a little light on so that you can benefit. This is just a suggestion; I have been trying these strategies at university, so some worked, some didnt!

The initial concern, and it's a big one for me, is the relatively invasive (in my eyes) surgery involved to install a CI behind my ear. The turning point for me was this past summer, when I was hearing my friends talk on the beach yet found it nearly impossible for me to understand the words in our crowded area. Even with the "Restaurant Mode" on my hearing aides activated (front microphones are turned on while the aides minimize lower-frequency sounds around me), I never felt so lost. That day, I decided to go ahead with the surgery and get a CI. As a bonus, my insurance fully covers one CI!

For my fellow forum members who have CI implants, what did you do to overcome your initial trepidation regarding surgery? My audiologist told me that most of these implants are successful, while a few of them might not be (which is why he does not recommend a CI for my right ear ... the good ear). I heard that there are different kinds of CIs, but does each one work with a common "base" installation? That is, do I need to choose what kind of CI I want to have before surgery, or is the feature option an "external" one behind the ear?


It is a big life-time decision to make regarding the Cochlear Implants. If your family is pushing you towards it, that may or may not be good. You really need time to ask yourself if you are prepared to go through it all. Surgery is not painful, it is a 4 to 5 hour procedure and you should be able to recover from it in 2-3 weeks & get activated! But the actual time it takes to get the best benefit can take as much 12-18 months. Also dont expect any residual hearing to be there after surgery. It all depends how well you have been doing with hearing aids & how long you have had a hearing loss for. If you go in for a CI evaluation (you must have gone through it probably), your CI audiologist will tell you where you stand and whether CI would be best (hopefully yes!). Regarding the brands - all three brands, i.e. Cochlear, AB & Med-el are world class and provide the same results. However they differ in the way they function, their components, accessories, etc. Some CI have the ability to preserve residual hearing - so I would say CI surgery today is much more advanced than it was in the past, so this would probably be the best time.

I live in New Jersey reasonably close to NYC and would appreciate some suggestions on how to find an ideal CI surgeon who specializes in this kind of surgery. Are there some certifications I should consider when choosing a surgeon or office? It seems that, ideally, I would want a surgeon who is old enough to be experienced and successful with CI surgery yet young enough to be familiar with the recent CI implants. I know this is ideal but I certainly want to keep my options open and not limit myself based on the age of the surgeon but his EXPERIENCE. Any advice or suggestions?


I am not on the East Coast, but from what I have heard is that the NYU Medical Center & John Hopkins have one of the best CI Surgeons. Going to a very experienced one is important in order to get the best benefits. But of course, other surgeons can also be good too.

I am 37 years old and have known my audiologist since I first got hearing aides when I was 6 years old! He has become like a family member to me, and even traveled to hear me defend my Ph.D research!! That is, I have known my audiologist longer than he has known his first ex-wife!

I hope that my questions start some engaging discussion. Thanks again for your time, patience, and advice. You bet I look forward to hearing from you.

Paul

Please feel free to contact me directly should you have any more questions. I recently got my CI too (I am 23) and I also have a lot of experiences, both pre and post surgery. Just send me a Private Message so that we can talk over email or IM sometime. All the Best Paul!!

 

[overthepond]

Hello, and I'm pleased to be here! My name is Paul and this is my first post.

Hi Paul

I have a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in which I use digital hearing aides. The hearing aides are the GN Resound Canta 7 series and they were state-of-the-art when I first got them back in 2001 ... I think they still are! With the aides on, I have about a 50% loss in my right ear (I hear higher frequencies the best) while my left ear has a whopping 90% loss (I faintly hear low-frequency bassy sounds only). Over the years, however, my hearing has gotten steadily worse in both ears, to the point where my audiologist now recommends I seriously consider a CI for my left ear.

I have recently earned my Ph.D in environmental sciences and meteorology and am very proud to have achieved this goal! Despite having the digital aides, I felt that seminars hosted by the professors and students in my department placed me at a disadvantage, since the lights were dimmed (during the Powerpoint presentation) and I had a hard time reading lips in a darkened room to supplement the residual hearing I had left, so I didn't attend many of these seminars. Now that my education is complete, and I am searching for employment in the field, my parents are seriously pushing me to consider a CI.

Praises to you getting a Ph.D!! I like meteorology... as I am a sailor! I can see your funstration with dimmed lights I had this problem when i was at college, I had notetaker to help through out my college years.

The initial concern, and it's a big one for me, is the relatively invasive (in my eyes) surgery involved to install a CI behind my ear. The turning point for me was this past summer, when I was hearing my friends talk on the beach yet found it nearly impossible for me to understand the words in our crowded area. Even with the "Restaurant Mode" on my hearing aides activated (front microphones are turned on while the aides minimize lower-frequency sounds around me), I never felt so lost. That day, I decided to go ahead with the surgery and get a CI. As a bonus, my insurance fully covers one CI!

I had been profoundly deaf all my life, I had HA's helping until to the point i was having difficulty with understanding people and i went under the knife in july after 7 months of assessments/applying for funding (this is in uk) and waiting for the surgery date. The operation itself took 4 hours, when i came round i was completely comfortable, no pain, no nauesa, no dizziness. I had suprised the nurses by walking to the toilet half an hour after coming back from the recovery.
I am now 7 weeks post activation and i must say it's amazing! I understand people alot better. As only 7 weeks post activation I had better results than we all thought!. I had been through love and hate relationship with the CI but I kept wearing it then it granually got clearer/better.

For my fellow forum members who have CI implants, what did you do to overcome your initial trepidation regarding surgery?
Just don't think about it too much!! I was away on job until the night before I went into hospital and I was extremely busy as I knew i won't beable to have anything done for couple of weeks, I was back at work 3 weeks later (it's very physical job not an office work)!

My audiologist told me that most of these implants are successful, while a few of them might not be (which is why he does not recommend a CI for my right ear ... the good ear). I heard that there are different kinds of CIs, but does each one work with a common "base" installation? That is, do I need to choose what kind of CI I want to have before surgery, or is the feature option an "external" one behind the ear?

you'll need to research those CI for yourself, however all three are good as each other, when choosing the processer (the external part) think of why you want to choose... like the shape of it, is it comfortable behind the ear, rechargeables/disposiables, types of programs/number of programs (Advanced Bionics got 3, cochlear got 4, not sure about Med el), would it suit your lifestyle, it also depends on whats your cochlea is like, that sort of things you would need to think about yourself, as you can only do it once (hopefully) for the rest of your/ci life.

I live in New Jersey reasonably close to NYC and would appreciate some suggestions on how to find an ideal CI surgeon who specializes in this kind of surgery. Are there some certifications I should consider when choosing a surgeon or office? It seems that, ideally, I would want a surgeon who is old enough to be experienced and successful with CI surgery yet young enough to be familiar with the recent CI implants. I know this is ideal but I certainly want to keep my options open and not limit myself based on the age of the surgeon but his EXPERIENCE. Any advice or suggestions?

Sorry can't help as I am from UK

I am 37 years old and have known my audiologist since I first got hearing aides when I was 6 years old! He has become like a family member to me, and even traveled to hear me defend my Ph.D research!! That is, I have known my audiologist longer than he has known his first ex-wife!

Ha, I wish i had you Audi but as CI user i had same audi since I was assessed, she's very good

I hope that my questions start some engaging discussion. Thanks again for your time, patience, and advice. You bet I look forward to hearing from you.

No worries, any question just fire away

Paul

Paul, you cannot use PM's until you had made certain number of posts, I believe it's 50 but some say 90, i am not sure which is accurate.

 

[LadySekhmet]

Hey Paul!

I hail from NJ, I recently moved to Las Vegas!

Here's my suggestions of who to see - at least they're the ones that I saw and I'm happy with.

Dr. Sujana Chandrasekhar of New York Otology New York Ear Surgery-- Dr. Sujana Chandrasekhar. I love her. She preserved my residual hearing and did both ears. She's not a CI surgeon strictly, but she's really good. The only itch, is that she only does Cochlear.

If you're looking for CI audiologist - You can go to Lisa Bell at University Medical and Dentistry of New Jersey. Plugging Electronic Sound into Cochlear Implants for Children - The University Hospital, Newark, NJ
She does NOT sugar coat things, and will spend about 3 hours talking to you about everything of what CI is about. You can see the actual implant, which I thought was the coolest thing. She also only does Cochlear.

If you are interested in other CI audiologists, PM me and I'll give you a list.

So first things first - you need to "qualify" to be a CI candidate. So, you will need to see a CI audiologist first, then set up appointment with surgeon and onward.

Many people had to wait a month to a couple months (some years due to out of country) for surgery. So, just be aware of that. Since Dr. Chandrasekhar does not only do strictly CI surgeries, her surgery schedule are a lot more flexible and you can have the surgery within 2 weeks after the initial appointment.

Good luck!