need advice here...

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SpiceHD

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I went to see CI specialist to see if i can get upgrade on my current CI and mary (her first name) said i cant get Freedom which is what i reallllly wants however.. i can get 3G... so i will accept that for now since its similiar to Freedom only less features than Freedom. Now... She recommended me to get 2nd CI surgery to get Freedom on my non implanted ear. I am considering it but i want to look at cons and pros of having both ci and having 2 different models. Be nice please and let me know what you think. Should i go ahead or not?

oh by the way... once VR approves for paying the price on 3G... i will be able to get it by Dec i think... at least i hope so. YAY! sooooon ill be able to hear music.
 
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I think you should go for it! But ultimately it's up to you. If you get 2 CIs you'll be able to localize sounds (know where the sound came from without looking), less head shadow effect, etc.
 
SpiceHD,

I have two different CIs -- a Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G speech processor in my left ear and the Nucleus Freedom (with Freedom BTE) in my right ear.

After my second CI was activated, it took some time (approximately 6 months) before sounds and voices became blended into one. For the longest time I experienced an overlapping "echo voice" which sounded like a person talking in two difference pitches.

However, it wasn't very long before the echo voice completely disappeared.

I no longer notice any significant sound differences between my first and second CI -- at least when both of them are used together. When either CI is used alone, my N24CA sounds "blurry" and distorted compared to my Freedom (which sounds *very* clear). When both CIs are used together, I notice fuller, richer and more natural sound.

If you're able to go bilateral, I think you should go for it! :) As LuciaDisturbed mentioned, you will have the added benefit of sound localization as well as being able to hear better in noise.

Someone asked what is meant by "head shadow effect." I found a website which says, "This is a term describing a sound having to go through or around the head. The filtering effects of head shadowing cause one to have perception problems with linear distance and direction of a sound source."

All the best to you SpiceHD on your bilateral CI journey! If you have any other questions regarding bilaterals, please feel free to send me a PM anytime! :)

Hear Again

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G
Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom
Implanted: 2/1/06 Activated: 3/1/06
 
Hear Again said:
Someone asked what is meant by "head shadow effect." I found a website which says, "This is a term describing a sound having to go through or around the head. The filtering effects of head shadowing cause one to have perception problems with linear distance and direction of a sound source."
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I wonder if that that why I feel like I hear sounds in my head, area near my right ear when my CI is actually implanted in my left ear?
 
SpiceHD said:
i have nuclear 22 and is able to upgrade to 3G. but wont be getting it till dec yet...
Click to expand...

I think that CI is currently work on new Freedom 2 or other name for Nucleus 22/24 receipts.
 
LuciaDisturbed,

I experienced the same thing when I only had one CI.

Now that I have two, sounds and voices seem more "outside my head" (or in my surrounding environment) if that makes any sense. :)

Hear Again

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G
Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom
Implanted: 2/1/06 Activated: 3/1/06
 
LuciaDisturbed said:
Hmmm, I wonder if that that why I feel like I hear sounds in my head, area near my right ear when my CI is actually implanted in my left ear?
Click to expand...

Ummm ...I have never felt like that and never mistaken where it comes from. Even my odd on and off tinnitus about five months after I got my CI (it disappeared a couple of months later) always felt coming from my right side (same side as my CI).

But what is even more interesting is the fact that we are wired in our brain for opposite body sides. In other words, your right side of the brain gets all input from the left and visa versa. Extremely fascinating observation on your part and Hear Again's.
 
SpiceHD said:
i have nuclear 22 and is able to upgrade to 3G. but wont be getting it till dec yet...
Click to expand...
Ah alright.. My friend have N-22 too. She is waiting for Cochlear company to make Freedom for N-22 like it have already for N-24. She is waiting and waiting, she heard so much abt Freedom and wants it so badly but couldn't since she have N-22.
 
i cant either but i dont want to wait any longer... i went wihtout a ci for 3 years... so i decided to accept 3G and when they r ready for freedom with n-22... then ill figure out how to get it (money wise)
 
SpiceHD said:
i cant either but i dont want to wait any longer... i went wihtout a ci for 3 years... so i decided to accept 3G and when they r ready for freedom with n-22... then ill figure out how to get it (money wise)
Click to expand...

It's currently work on Freedom 2 or other name for N-22/24.

3G isn't bad but you can try on trial.
 
RedheadGrrl said:
hmm, aren't u on medicaid/medicare???
Click to expand...
yes but in few years if freedom havent fixed for N-22 yet.. ill be graduating from college and be off ssi so i wont be able to hold on medicare/medicaid for long once i lose ssi. maybe 6 months at best ... so i gotta prepare for that too. we will see i guess.
 
Pacman said:
It's currently work on Freedom 2 or other name for N-22/24.

3G isn't bad but you can try on trial.
Click to expand...

right now i want nothing more than just listening to the music. i have been yearning for that for last 3 years and i really dont want to wait any longer. the audio person said i might be able to upgrade again for free since i really wanted freedom not 3G but that will request a lot of paperwork i think. i will find out more once VR approves it.
 
SpiceHD said:
right now i want nothing more than just listening to the music. i have been yearning for that for last 3 years and i really dont want to wait any longer. the audio person said i might be able to upgrade again for free since i really wanted freedom not 3G but that will request a lot of paperwork i think. i will find out more once VR approves it.
Click to expand...

My friend told that will release in 2007.
 
Whedn I sopke with the surgeon and the reasearch Dr. they both agreed that there is no new CI coming from Nucleus for a very long time. If you are referring to an upgrade only type CI, I guess that could make sense.
 
They are already did...for who have N-22/24 and can get upgrade to N-22/24 Freedom parts (something like that) I will find out more cuz my friend wanted the upgrade due to few reasons. So I dunno if he got approved or not. I saw him at Deaf Nation but didn't talk all we said hi and bye lol!

Anyway as for me I am going go for Freedom.

As for SpiceHD, Go for it!! There is no stopping ya girl! :)

Pacman said:
I think that CI is currently work on new Freedom 2 or other name for Nucleus 22/24 receipts.
Click to expand...
 
LakeTahoe said:
They are already did...for who have N-22/24 and can get upgrade to N-22/24 Freedom parts (something like that) I will find out more cuz my friend wanted the upgrade due to few reasons. So I dunno if he got approved or not. I saw him at Deaf Nation but didn't talk all we said hi and bye lol!

Anyway as for me I am going go for Freedom.

As for SpiceHD, Go for it!! There is no stopping ya girl! :)
Click to expand...
Yeah there's "Freedom for Nucleus 24" upgrade
Introducing Freedom for Nucleus 24

and there is no Freedom for N22 users (probably will be known as "Freedom for Nucleus 22" The latest processor that N22 can use is ESPrit 3G for Nucleus 22 that came out 2 yrs ago. (also here: ESPrit 3G for Nucleus 22 )
 
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