Need advice for C.I

The final decision will be his based on how much HE wants to actually be able to hear. I'll assume that along with techniuqel answers you/he would like to hear of different experiences?

Before my CI I did not have a profound hearing loss but it was getting harder and harder to communicate with people, espeically in noisy places, in the 3 months since I recieved the CI I have actually begun to enjoy things again. I can actually understood the person at Mcd's when I ordered there the other day. My dr. and audiologist both say my progress is not typical but I think it needs to be remembered that I was still hearing with HA's tho it was very stressful with lots of lip reading. Stress is now gone. :)

I went into the whole exploration of seeing if I qualified for a CI based on the fact that if I lost my hearing in that ear to ME it was worth the risk. And yes I was aware that there are risks. (I really didn't qualify and the insurance company was asked to approve based on the fact that I didn't hear past the first sentence in a noise test) I do not regret my decision, my family notices the difference.

So your bf will base his decsion on how much he really wants to hear. If he has a good background in spoken langage and it's becoming harder/more stressful for him to use this mode and it's one he wants to use the CI could really help him, just as it's helped me and others on this message board. But in the end he has to decide if he wants to take the chance......with out the CI I am actually more deaf then before surgery. I did sound booth testing today, including the noise test, I actually was able to repeat at least half of the sentences in each group, usually only missed the last two, tho I haavn't seen exactly how accurate I was since she had a meeting to get to.

I do wonder how much, how quickly and well a person adapts to hearing with the CI has to do with how long it's been since they have heard, if ever. Remember my results aren't typical, but then I didn't have a profound loss when implanted.
 
Alright he went to the audiologist and heres the dealio he's getting more powerful HA and he surprised me by asking the audiologist about CI

whats the difference between digital and analogue or w/e it's called?
 
THe digital can be programmed to his hearing loss. the analog can't, it's just a one channel type of thing. The digital comes in 2, 4 or 6 channels. The 6 being the best of the bunch, but also the more expensive (around $3-5000/ aide I think, depends on which bells and whistles (options) ya pick) . I have 4 channel ones I purchased 2 yrs ago, (around $2000 apiece)the one on the right was programmed and I actually liked the sound and clarity, the one on the left was programmed and I hated it, never did get it programmed right (according to me, lol) according to the audi it was set to my hearing loss so 'should' have helped alot.
 
I think he has like a 4 or 6
I could be wrong

This is kind of a stupid question - but what do you mean they program them?
 
_xShipwreckx_ said:
I think he has like a 4 or 6
I could be wrong

This is kind of a stupid question - but what do you mean they program them?
Click to expand...

hopefully someone with more tech. no how can explain it. I always took programming to mean, that since hearing loss is not necessarily even throughout the frequencies the digitals program for more gain where needed and less in frequencies that don't need as much. thus the programming to the needs of the individual.

He should talk to his audiologist and if interested in CI go and have testing and consultation with a CI specialist to get a good understanding of that tech. and how it differs from a dig. HA.

My personal experience is the CI is far superior, but others really like thier digitals and say they help alot.
 
I am definately not a tech person, but look at it this way. When the test his hearing, it charts where and what he is hearing at different levels (frequencies and hertz). It is kind of like a map of what he is and is not hearing. When the program the digital hearing aid, they customize the sound amplification to best suit him. The digital HA will "clean up" sound and amplify it so he can get the best use out of the HA.
Like Jag said, I hope this helps.
I applaud your boyfriend for taking the necessary steps to improve his hearing. I am sure he is weighing the pros and cons about a CI. As I said before, support him with whatever decision he makes.
 
jag said:
......with out the CI I am actually more deaf then before surgery.
...
I do wonder how much, how quickly and well a person adapts to hearing with the CI has to do with how long it's been since they have heard, if ever. Remember my results aren't typical, but then I didn't have a profound loss when implanted.
Click to expand...

Er...going slighty off topic...

Yea, the is the weird part for me nowadays...that is being truly deaf now... My brother tested that concept one day he was visiting. He noticed I wasn't looking and literal shouted to me and I didn't hear a darn thing (I had my CI off to dry off some sweat on me). Whereas before surgery, I would have heard something...:D

As for your last observation, I myself have wondered on the variables of adapting to a CI. I do think it has a lot to do with where one is coming from prior to the CI. This is in terms of using one's hearing, using speech, and comprehension of what one hears. I was a going concern in day two myself...
 
Once again...back on the topic!

Having a CI is a very difficult decision and is truly personal. All I can do is offer sage advice which you can accept or not. Offer it to your BF.

I work as a postmarket surveillance officer for the FDA. My specialty is among other things hearing devices (inc. CIs). My job is to investigate MFRs adverse event reports and recommend whether devices should be recalled.

I have seen many adverse events from Cochlear Implants, but I know of multiple more successes. Please do your homework. The most common adverse event is "flap infection." Please know the signs for that.

If you or your BF have additional questions, please email me. I cannot recommend one MFR over another, but I can provide you with resources to make that decision yourself.

Good luck :fingersx: and God Bless
Bob
 
Dnbebo, question for ya. Do you have any involvement with product reliability issues with CI?
When we had Lilly implanted (Nucleus Freedon), the body worn cable was not yet FDA approved. We were/are involved with the "fielding" of this equiptment. We have had 2 cables break. Both times they were returned for examination to determine why they were failing. Do you know anything about this?

I understand if you cannot comment about ongoing investigation/studies.Thank you.
 
Lillys dad said:
Dnbebo, question for ya. Do you have any involvement with product reliability issues with CI?

I understand if you cannot comment about ongoing investigation/studies.Thank you.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry LD, my position prohibits me from discussing specific products or proprietary information. I can tell you that we have a wealth of information on our CDRH website! w w w.fda.gov/cdrh/
 
Yes I agreed with you Lucia. Accept who he is. If he decided go for CI, that's great. BUT give him a time to think about it and let him research. Also hear more comments on CI. Maybe go to CI meetings and he can get feedbacks on it. That's how I got invovled by doing it. So I fell in love with CI and I am candiate for it. Sooo I need to find a way to get money for it. I do have Medicare but I don't want to pay 20% out of my pocket.

LuciaDisturbed said:
Well, ultimately, it's his decision, so...if you really love him then you'll accept it.
Click to expand...
 
Back
Top