MY CI Testing

LakeTahoe

LakeTahoe

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Hi...

I will have my CI testing tomorrow morning at 9. I know it take time to go thru the processing to get CI. I am not sure I will be qualify. So wait and see in few months. I'll let you know how it goes with my testing. I supposed to go on December 8th but conflict with the time. I had to change to morning.

Have a great evening! ;)
 
Hi Mama2AFTIV,

I would be interested in your testing experiences. I will be having a CT scan on my temporal bones today and then will be seeing the surgeon with the results in hand on 25th January to assess whether I will be suitable. My audiologist already did some basic speech perception tests and I did very well with a combination of sound and lipreading, horribly with just sound and not so well with just lipreading.

Good luck! I know what you mean about being nervous about whether we qualify or not.

R2D2
 
The important thing is you can hear again wheter it is the BTE or the cochlear implant. :) I wear the BTE hearing aid, just one. I used to have two when I was a kid in school. Now I am an adult and the doctor said I only need one. :-o They said I qualify for cochlear implant but I never got a chance to look into the situation because I said no really fast right off the bat to the doctor but I am going to have to look into cochlear implants again someday. Are CI's supposed to be more powerful than BTE hearing aids? That is a question I never really got around to asking. Thank you :)
 
Really I got no idea...I'll find out more on that tomorrow . It'll be interesting experince for me. :) I kinda miss my left ear now...

Heath said:
The important thing is you can hear again wheter it is the BTE or the cochlear implant. :) I wear the BTE hearing aid, just one. I used to have two when I was a kid in school. Now I am an adult and the doctor said I only need one. :-o They said I qualify for cochlear implant but I never got a chance to look into the situation because I said no really fast right off the bat to the doctor but I am going to have to look into cochlear implants again someday. Are CI's supposed to be more powerful than BTE hearing aids? That is a question I never really got around to asking. Thank you :)
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Heath said:
The important thing is you can hear again wheter it is the BTE or the cochlear implant. :)
...
Are CI's supposed to be more powerful than BTE hearing aids? That is a question I never really got around to asking. Thank you :)
Click to expand...

As for your first statement, a CI can be a BTE model along with a BWP (body worn processor). A CI BTE is larger than a HA BTE and that is mostly due to the power requirements. The processor is really a computer that is constantly processing the ambient noises. So, the noisier the environment, the more processing power the CI uses. In other words, there can be some variability in battery life for CIs.

Now, the question isn't really about power with a CI. It is not power "per se" that we are talking about. A HA and a CI cannot be compared that way because how the sounds are being processed by the person.

With a HA, the sound is amplified and then pumped into the ear as anybody would hear sounds. There is typically some distortion of sounds due to the nature of one's hearing loss. Digital HAs can compensate better for that than analoges but they are finicky beasts and have a bad track record from a staying power standpoint. There are some pretty good HA analogues out there. A CI bypasses normal hearing and directly provides converted digital signals to the cochlear nerve. This is the proverbial "catch-22" as to why isn't easy to predict how a person does with a CI. One's brain has to figure the signal and intrepet the information as sound. Some do better than others but it has become more consistent in results with each specific populations across the board. All of this is a fancy way of saying that how you hear with a HA (or even normal hearing) is different than using a CI (obviously the principle is the same).

Anyway, I digress, a CI is like direct current transmitter (at a very safe level) and one gets all the information without a glitch (as a HA might encounter going via the hearing system). This pulse can be "amplified" and sensitivity can be adjusted. There are built in limits as to how high one can turn the volume up and so on. All this is for safety reasons and to not allow damage to the cochlea and cochlear nerve.

Bottomline - Er...yes a CI is more powerful but not in the way you think.
 
I kinda miss my left ear now...
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Is your left ear unaidable? I was going to post about being VERY careful that you don't get railroaded into getting a CI just b/c an audi thinks it would be better, or b/c you've had too much exposure to the "CI salespeople" (the ones who wear it, and who rave about it so itsounds like they are selling it)
but, if one of your ears is unaidable, I'd definitly opt for it!
 
Well on my left ear, I had VERY good hearing before damn car accdient! So, she sent me to ENT and I'll go see ENT on Jan 10th for more testings etc. Then cat scan...then after that we'll find out if I am qualify or not. We'll see...

Now my left ear, no ha, just my right one. Today I went to hearing test..it went well! But the part I hate is listen the words or sentences! Espeically man's voice..more harder to understand. Oh, well! But I did pretty good though. I finally heard some sound on my left in HIGH pitch..yikes! It hurts my ear!

deafdyke said:
Is your left ear unaidable? I was going to post about being VERY careful that you don't get railroaded into getting a CI just b/c an audi thinks it would be better, or b/c you've had too much exposure to the "CI salespeople" (the ones who wear it, and who rave about it so itsounds like they are selling it)
but, if one of your ears is unaidable, I'd definitly opt for it!
Click to expand...
 
I had no idea that you wanted to get a Cochlear Implant, Good luck tomorrow. :thumb:
 
Mama2AFTIV said:
It was today...I posted that yesterday... :giggle:
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Oh Crap! I wasn't paying attention to the date nor read the whole thread. :Oops: This is the first time I saw this thread today. Forgive me. ;)
 
:giggle: I knew you didn't pay attention..you're forgiven. :thumb:
Cheri said:
Oh Crap! I wasn't paying attention to the date nor read the whole thread. :Oops: This is the first time I saw this thread today. Forgive me. ;)
Click to expand...
 
Mama2AFTIV said:
Well on my left ear, I had VERY good hearing before damn car accdient! So, she sent me to ENT and I'll go see ENT on Jan 10th for more testings etc. Then cat scan...then after that we'll find out if I am qualify or not. We'll see...

Now my left ear, no ha, just my right one. Today I went to hearing test..it went well! But the part I hate is listen the words or sentences! Espeically man's voice..more harder to understand. Oh, well! But I did pretty good though. I finally heard some sound on my left in HIGH pitch..yikes! It hurts my ear!
Click to expand...


Going to Audiology for futhur testing.... They need it to keep track of all records for insurance purpose. They all have to make some reports so your insurance can cover it all when needed.

As of Left or Right ear preference, that is depend how much your brain already learn the sounds before the hearing became a total loss. For Example, if you wear right ear all the time with the BTE hearing aid, then you would prefer to have CI on right ear because the brain already recognize the sounds.

I got my new Freedom by Cochlear.com and its blow beyond my expection. I got it on my Right ear where I used hearing aid all my life. I wear hearing aid on both ear however for the past last few years, I start to use on right ear only instead both because I need the powerful hearing aid and I end up with alot of feedback that annoyed people around me such as resturant and any other places.

So I never regret and I love it very much. Right now, I am on the final stage of testing and begin with speech therpies to hear the voices sound along with many new sound. I also begin using my cellphone and I have long way to learn down the road.

Be Warn!!! Not everybody will be same as what I have been going through. Because on my last visit with audiology, she told me and asked me what did I do to two of her customer becuase they are having problems with able to hear anything as much as I gone through.... I received my CI last September and I am picking up real fast than I expected and I share this news with few other friends that already received their CI after me and are not getting the sound they need. Now I realized that not every one will be the same as other so just don't put yourself in a high hope when you received the CI.

Just write down the paper on what you willing to give up the sound and what is the minimum of sound you willing to hear. That what I did before I received my CI surgery. I wrote down and willing to accept what sound I going to give up and what sound I hopefully to received.

After CI surgery and then to turn on the CI, I am blown by this kind of freedom equipment and the paper I wrote down is now down in the trash because it is beyond my expection.

I wish you the best and stay postive. Don't be so discouraged the sound that are going to be differently after you get the 1st day turn on. You will need to keep going to audiology department to keep fine tuning untill you finally get the sound you need.

Wish you a good Holiday.....
PDWinfree
 
PDWinfree said:
Going to Audiology for futhur testing.... They need it to keep track of all records for insurance purpose. They all have to make some reports so your insurance can cover it all when needed.

As of Left or Right ear preference, that is depend how much your brain already learn the sounds before the hearing became a total loss. For Example, if you wear right ear all the time with the BTE hearing aid, then you would prefer to have CI on right ear because the brain already recognize the sounds.

I got my new Freedom by Cochlear.com and its blow beyond my expection. I got it on my Right ear where I used hearing aid all my life. I wear hearing aid on both ear however for the past last few years, I start to use on right ear only instead both because I need the powerful hearing aid and I end up with alot of feedback that annoyed people around me such as resturant and any other places.

So I never regret and I love it very much. Right now, I am on the final stage of testing and begin with speech therpies to hear the voices sound along with many new sound. I also begin using my cellphone and I have long way to learn down the road.

Be Warn!!! Not everybody will be same as what I have been going through. Because on my last visit with audiology, she told me and asked me what did I do to two of her customer becuase they are having problems with able to hear anything as much as I gone through.... I received my CI last September and I am picking up real fast than I expected and I share this news with few other friends that already received their CI after me and are not getting the sound they need. Now I realized that not every one will be the same as other so just don't put yourself in a high hope when you received the CI.

Just write down the paper on what you willing to give up the sound and what is the minimum of sound you willing to hear. That what I did before I received my CI surgery. I wrote down and willing to accept what sound I going to give up and what sound I hopefully to received.

After CI surgery and then to turn on the CI, I am blown by this kind of freedom equipment and the paper I wrote down is now down in the trash because it is beyond my expection.

I wish you the best and stay postive. Don't be so discouraged the sound that are going to be differently after you get the 1st day turn on. You will need to keep going to audiology department to keep fine tuning untill you finally get the sound you need.

Wish you a good Holiday.....
PDWinfree
Click to expand...


I know what you mean, i didn't think about my expectation for what i could hear after i get turned on etc. I tried to keep my expectation down so i won't be disappointed. But now i am really happy, i only just got turned on two weeks ago, and the volume is not very high as have not had remapping and stuff yet. So far i was suprise to hear my baby (cat) purring, and meowing from feets away, it was surprising, (he is a big talker!!) I keep finding new sounds before that i never heard before in my life, for example pop machine makes a ding sound when putting coins in. lol
 
I had my implant one year ago.

I went in for my assessment one year ago and decided to have bilateral cochlear implants. It was one of the best decisions I made. My brother had an implant several years ago and I was impressed with the results. He had not been able to hear on the phone for many years and now uses the phone all the time. I had not been able to hear on the phone for the past 15 years. I am now able to talk with a few family members and friends. One thing you will have to do and that is practice! I spend several hours every day listening to tapes of people talking. This has really helped me. I am now able to lip read better and understand more than I have in the past. My speech has also improved. I have noticed that deafened adults do better with implants than deaf who have never heard. I have found getting use to the high sounds...water running, rain on the car roof, high notes of musical instruments were the most difficult for me to adjust to. Just remember the brain needs to learn new tricks and it may take a while. I know a few deafened adult who got the implant and then stopped because of one reason or another. I also know deafened adults who are having a great success. Just keep a positive additude and work at training your brain.
 
It has been few months since I made this thread. I am quiltfy for CI. So now I am not sure which ear. I am rely on my right. If I get CI on my right, then I cannot hear for few weeks after surgery. So it is pro and con for me right now.

ENT dr called me today. Set up the appt but I asked her the questions before I went ahead to set it up. I asked her that I am planning to go down to Los Angeles for 3 weeks, and would be it ok for me to go on rides at amusement park. She suggested me grab to have a good times then have a surgery without worry about having pains! I agreed. So I'll wait till May 30th I think and set up surgery in July after I get back from Wild Wild West. :)

I am kinda nervous but in some other way I am excited. :)

I also noticed that I get headache often on my right side. On my left almost never! How odd is that! I'll talk to ENT and ask more questions on that. So I thought of having surgery ON my left ear. So wait and see.
 
Yay!! Glad you have qualified and hope that all goes well on the day. It's a great idea to take advantage of the tourist attractions around there.
 
Yep! I am gonna advantage of it! :mrgreen: I am planning take my 5 years old son to Dinseyland and California Adventure for first time (I've never been to CA yet either!) and Six Flag Magic Mountains, maybe. Other than that I'll swim alot at my best friend's new apt that she'll move in a few months. Save on crazy price of gas!
I don't mind to relax and enjoy the Calfornia sun! :)


R2D2 said:
Yay!! Glad you have qualified and hope that all goes well on the day. It's a great idea to take advantage of the tourist attractions around there.
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Congratulations on being a candidate!! I'm very happy for you, and am looking forward to hearing more about your experiences!!!
 
Mama2AFTIV said:
Hi...

I will have my CI testing tomorrow morning at 9. I know it take time to go thru the processing to get CI. I am not sure I will be qualify. So wait and see in few months. I'll let you know how it goes with my testing. I supposed to go on December 8th but conflict with the time. I had to change to morning.

Have a great evening! ;)
Click to expand...

I'm praying for you. :(
 
Warning: You CI will give you robotic sounds and robotic voices when people are talking.You will not hear like you heard it before.Im just preparing you.
 
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