I'm getting frustrated with Cochlear

Foxrac

Foxrac

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I have Nucleus 22 and got implanted in mid 1990s. I only have very old processor (Spectra 22) that no longer work anymore for unknown reason. I prefer to upgrade Nucleus 6 instead of Freedom to take advantage of latest technology. I remember about Cochlear tried to make Nucleus 5 to be compatible with N22 after released in 2009, but after 5 years, they haven't. According to website, they told that N6 will be supposed to be available for N22 in next year (2015) but I'm not sure if I could take Cochlear's promise after inability to make N5 upgrade for N22.

I don't know if re-implant is possible, such as replace internal N22 with newer internal N6, but it could make complication worse because I suffered mild tenderness in right head that where CI is located, but extremely painful if I hit my head by accidently. I don't think surgery to replace the implant is optional for me due to fear of complication.

Now, I'm stuck with old hearing aids (Phonak) that I got in 1989 and it did helped very little, but most annoying is migraine and pressure in my ear when I put molds in. I only wear it if I'm in crowded area and make customers realize that I'm deaf.
 
I learn from 2 different usher syndrome. They're in high education. They been told that Cochlear doesn't work well on them. Sure, they can hear beautiful music but it's difficult to understood specs words that people make the voice. However, one person claim it well-compatible and able to hear well. I wonder if it's different type of usher syndrome.

Question: Are you able to understand every word?
 
PowerON said:
I learn from 2 different usher syndrome. They're in high education. They been told that Cochlear doesn't work well on them. Sure, they can hear beautiful music but it's difficult to understood specs words that people make the voice. However, one person claim it well-compatible and able to hear well. I wonder if it's different type of usher syndrome.

Question: Are you able to understand every word?
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No.
 
PowerON said:
Then why get cochlear if you cannot understand every words at all? :(
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Even those with the best unassisted hearing do not understand everything. Background noise can even be too much for them, some have problems with accents, any number of things except hearing loss can keep 100% of spoken language from being understood!
 
PowerON said:
Then why get cochlear if you cannot understand every words at all? :(
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There is no way to know what an individual's result will be when they get a cochlear implant. There are many variables to consider, including the age of implantation (best results are those implanted before the age of 2 years old and post-lingually deafened individuals.)

Whether you get 90% or 50% word discrimination; that lessens the workload on the brain having to speech-read, not to mention the environmental awareness.

Speech discrimination is not magic. It requires a brain that is wired for hearing. This means that even though an individual is audiologically capable of hearing speech (if tested in a booth with their CI Processor, they test at normal or near-normal levels for frequency thresholds) their brain may not optimally put together that information to have it register and be understood as speech.

This is also why a cure is not going to help any more than a cochlear implant in this regard, which is something that more than a few people are in denial of currently around here. A cure will require a hearing brain to be able to decipher the input coming into the ears. If you don't already fit into the previously mentioned criteria for best results, you aren't going to fare much better with a cure. A Cochlear Implant or a cure can provide the hearing, but the individual ability to actually process that hearing is equally important for success.

There is also consideration for how much the auditory nerve has atrophied. It must be stimulated or it dies.
 
Jane B. said:
Even those with the best unassisted hearing do not understand everything. Background noise can even be too much for them, some have problems with accents, any number of things except hearing loss can keep 100% of spoken language from being understood!
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I have a very hard time with people with accents. When those middle east telemarketers call or whoever with an accent, I just hang up. Not to be rude but I tell them I cant understand their accent and need someone who speaks clear english, and they just continue or argue... now they just get a dial tone so not to hurt their ego.
 
PowerON said:
Then why get cochlear if you cannot understand every words at all? :(
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and youre not a doctor to determin that. Why get hearing aids if you cant understand it all? I had and stil dont.... just a VERY IGNORANT comment right there!
 
sonocativo said:
and youre not a doctor to determin that. Why get hearing aids if you cant understand it all? I had and stil dont.... just a VERY IGNORANT comment right there!
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You're correct, I'm not doctor. I find it bother on why it's necessary to have cochlear if they been tell it's nearly similar as hearing aids? Both usher syndrome (Not DEAF only) is unable to understood anything. I learn that hearing aids DOESN'T work on them. I was surprise it show big different for Usher Syndrome vs Deaf. I'm deaf and I used to wear hearing aids and I could hear anyone knock, stomp, honking, etc. But no voice to understand. All I hear is bark bark woof woof yap yap. That's it.
 
PowerON said:
You're correct, I'm not doctor. I find it bother on why it's necessary to have cochlear if they been tell it's nearly similar as hearing aids? Both usher syndrome (Not DEAF only) is unable to understood anything. I learn that hearing aids DOESN'T work on them. I was surprise it show big different for Usher Syndrome vs Deaf. I'm deaf and I used to wear hearing aids and I could hear anyone knock, stomp, honking, etc. But no voice to understand. All I hear is bark bark woof woof yap yap. That's it.
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Depends on how severe, but also depends on learning ability as well. If a brain cant or is slow learning it either takes time or it never happens. Although I learned how to pronounce certain words, after saying it the way I have for what 30 years... I still pronounce it the way I always have just because its natural to me, I know the correct way but it still comes out the other way UNLESS I really concentrate on using it. Otherwise, I just dont care.
Ive been corrected while talking and Ill say it again, doesnt bother me, but bothers the hell out of a hearie....lmao
 
PowerON said:
You're correct, I'm not doctor. I find it bother on why it's necessary to have cochlear if they been tell it's nearly similar as hearing aids? Both usher syndrome (Not DEAF only) is unable to understood anything. I learn that hearing aids DOESN'T work on them. I was surprise it show big different for Usher Syndrome vs Deaf. I'm deaf and I used to wear hearing aids and I could hear anyone knock, stomp, honking, etc. But no voice to understand. All I hear is bark bark woof woof yap yap. That's it.
Click to expand...

There are two types of Usher Syndrome - Type I and Type II.

Type I - born deaf and become legally blindness by 20's.

Type II - born HoH and become legally blindness can be greatly depends on individuals, it can be from 20's to 70's, even some cases don't become legally until death.

I have Usher Syndrome Type II because I was born HoH until I had nasty chicken pox in 1988 that destroyed my hearing and crippled the ability to walking. I was in hospital for few days and it was worst disease ever in my life. My retina specialist told me to use Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) because my eyes are extremely SLOW to degrade, but only lost very tiny like less than 1 degree and haven't change for 4 years now. Some people with US Type II lost much more degree and some of them are legally blind by 20's but I'm very unique.

Many people with US Type II have good benefits with hearing aids, but CI is recommended for US Type I.
 
PowerON said:
Then why get cochlear if you cannot understand every words at all? :(
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I fixed my old processor (Spectra 22) and it works now, but magnet is very weak due to child size, so I had to pressure the magnet with my hand.

I can hear door hinges, walk the steps, talk, volume from TV, jump, breath, laugh, chuckle, dance, etc.

I found carpet is more quieter than hardwood floor.

The sounds are pretty clear, but I'm surprised now, however I can't understand many words, especially from TV volume.

I'm definitely upgrade to N6 in next year and need stronger magnet.
 
sonocativo said:
and youre not a doctor to determin that. Why get hearing aids if you cant understand it all? I had and stil dont.... just a VERY IGNORANT comment right there!
Click to expand...

Yes, CI can be very useful if you unable to use oral language, just hear everything that you can describe the sounds.
 
Yeah, it take time.. but at least N6 upgrade for N22 implant is coming soon!
Glad to know your Sprecta 22 is fixed. How you fix it?? :)
 
Foxrac said:
I fixed my old processor (Spectra 22) and it works now, but magnet is very weak due to child size, so I had to pressure the magnet with my hand.

I'm definitely upgrade to N6 in next year and need stronger magnet.
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I don't know how it would work with the 22 but with mine I can order replacement parts direct from Cochlear Americas online would it be possible to order a stronger magnet that way? Or would a magnet from a different model coil work in yours?
 
Foxrac said:
There are two types of Usher Syndrome - Type I and Type II.

Type I - born deaf and become legally blindness by 20's.

Type II - born HoH and become legally blindness can be greatly depends on individuals, it can be from 20's to 70's, even some cases don't become legally until death.

I have Usher Syndrome Type II because I was born HoH until I had nasty chicken pox in 1988 that destroyed my hearing and crippled the ability to walking. I was in hospital for few days and it was worst disease ever in my life. My retina specialist told me to use Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) because my eyes are extremely SLOW to degrade, but only lost very tiny like less than 1 degree and haven't change for 4 years now. Some people with US Type II lost much more degree and some of them are legally blind by 20's but I'm very unique.

Many people with US Type II have good benefits with hearing aids, but CI is recommended for US Type I.
Click to expand...

Someone been told that Usher Syndrome I, II and III - none of them are match, just different. That's why lot of deaf has been misunderstood and cause led poor communicate and loss friendship. I'm pretty upset how they treat them without understood their individual condition. Wonder do you know Randy from Boston?
 
Foxrac said:
There are two types of Usher Syndrome - Type I and Type II.

Type I - born deaf and become legally blindness by 20's.

Type II - born HoH and become legally blindness can be greatly depends on individuals, it can be from 20's to 70's, even some cases don't become legally until death.

I have Usher Syndrome Type II because I was born HoH until I had nasty chicken pox in 1988 that destroyed my hearing and crippled the ability to walking. I was in hospital for few days and it was worst disease ever in my life. My retina specialist told me to use Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) because my eyes are extremely SLOW to degrade, but only lost very tiny like less than 1 degree and haven't change for 4 years now. Some people with US Type II lost much more degree and some of them are legally blind by 20's but I'm very unique.

Many people with US Type II have good benefits with hearing aids, but CI is recommended for US Type I.
Click to expand...

I've got a friend with type 3 Ushers, wouldn't that mean there are 3 types?
 
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