Question about CI...urgent

sonocativo said:
My wife brought it up the other night, asking if I was still considering it. She supports the issue, and I want to hear somewhat normally again but either way I wont be able to hear much longer. I love music and I play so I would miss that ( possibly go insane without music? ) Bust mostly I love to hear my son as he learns to talk. But I know there are sacrifices to make.
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The way to look at is music is gone now. Doing nothing will not change that. Getting the implant may actually return music to your life as it did mine. There are many avid music fans who are enjoying music again with their implant as well as musicians. There are those that have not had satisfying experiences and those that had perfect pitch who cannot help but analyze every nuance and only miss what they were once able to do. There isn't a guarantee with any implant when it comes to music, you will want to consider what options will give you the best possible chance.. which is what I did.

It is easy for me to forget I am even deaf when I am listening to music. All that stands between me and total silence (chronic low level tinnitus notwithstanding) is my implant/processor. It's a blessing that makes me smile and marvel at how much more I am enjoying music than I ever did with a hearing aid no matter how many years it's been since I was activated.
 
BleedingPurist said:
There is no "here is your implant and that's that."
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I know, thats why I dont want to be stuck with something that has no "upgrading" or "add ons" in the future. I know there is always better coming out as time goes. And this isnt like... " I dont like it, lets try the other" type of deal.... so all the input I can get from those who has which, helps a lot on decisions as well.
 
I had decided to go with AB then my surgeon strongly suggested I go with Cochlear. He said for my "condition" he felt Cochlear was best. I really don't know if I would hear better with AB, but I do wish I went that route.

Mike you are so right......not being able to hear music is awful. Music made me happy, energized and I loved, loved, loved listening to my daughters play piano, violin and cello.
I also miss Christmas music. All music now sounds like dogs howling. It is actually really painful to listen to.

My surgery was rushed, once approved I had like 8 days before surgery. I love my CI and I do have other brain related issues due to when I was really sick. I have only had I think 2 mappings. My tinnitus is so loud I can't hear anything in the booth.

I learned so much from people on this site. No question was ever thought of as stupid and at every turn someone helped me. Ask us all many, many questions. I for one will be happy to answer anything you ask.

Good Luck a nice thing to look forward to this year!!!
 
sonocativo said:
I just want ones with options, Not just "Here is and implant and thats it" type of deal. I want to make sure I can upgrade or add-on any options I may eventually need. as I yet still dont understand some of the features everyone has mentioned like FM and the such. I want to connect to TV, Radio, Computers...ect...and all that as well.
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As far as the Cochlear brand it comes with a lot of accessories ... what your asking about connecting to other electronics ... it comes with different cables to plug the CI directly to a laptop or computer or tv that is plugged into a power source and has an inline surge protector in the cable itself ... another cable to connect directly to a mp3 player or CD player that runs on battery power ... and another cable which is a lapel microphone that you can control the direction in which it picks up sound or just clip it on a shirt ... there is another cable it didn't come with to hook up to a cell phone but is really pricey ... other than the cables it comes with 2 packs of disposable battery holders, 2 packs of ear hooks in different lengths, pack of snug fit things which holds it in place better on your ear than a regular ear hook, an entire box of disposable batteries, 2 rechargeable batteries, charger for those that can charge up to 4 at a time, 2 packs of mic covers (total 8 of them)a dry and store box with a few desiccant bricks, i got 2 of everything as well ... processors, controllers, coils, magnets, a case to store the spare CI, it comes with books on everything and a quick reference guide, even a cochlear americas tote bag and a wrist band ... as far as a FM system I don't know I've only heard of that used with hearing aids ...

sonocativo said:
I know, thats why I dont want to be stuck with something that has no "upgrading" or "add ons" in the future. I know there is always better coming out as time goes. And this isnt like... " I dont like it, lets try the other" type of deal.... so all the input I can get from those who has which, helps a lot on decisions as well.
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You can always upgrade your mapping, once you start getting used to it you'll go back to the audi and they'll hook it up to their computer and remap it and adjust the settings and frequency volume so you'll be able to hear better with it over time ... as far as the program the CI runs off of I don't think they upgrade that cause it isn't needed my audi told me when the new N5 first came out the programming between my Nucleus Freedom and the N5 were pretty much the same they only change the design of the CI itself ... the CI has 4 program slots ... you can program it to have 4 different ways of hearing ... like in mine program 1 is normal hearing, 2 is a phone setting with the volume up and sensitivity down ... 3 and 4 i never used it was just an experiment increasing or decreasing certain frequencies of sound ... you can also adjust the volume and sensitivity of the CI yourself it has controls for that (the new one has a remote as where mine has buttons) ... as far as upgrading equipment you can, Cochlear sent me papers to upgrade mine to the new N5 when it first came out at a discount but there was nothing wrong with mine so I didn't ... and as far as the internal implant it will be compatible with newer processors too ... I could use the N5 or N6 with my implant if I wanted to ... as well as any future models they come out with ...

Sorry for the book just trying to explain this stuff ... clear as mud right? lol if there is any particular question just post it here and I'll try to answer it or someone else with a CI will ... like someone said it is different with each person and each dr/audi has different methods and practices and different brands of CI ...

EDIT: as far as music it's a crap shoot ... if it's an old song or music I knew from before when I could actually hear I'm fine with it since I recognize the lyrics and music ... but the new stuff ugh forget about it sometimes I can pick up the words but seems like anymore they make the instruments way louder than the person who is singing and it drowns them out ...
 
ncff07... I agree with the music, I grew up country, jumped right into heavy metal ( to blend in with the guys in school ) I joined a band and played without knowing what they did, they all looked at me like WTF? LOL anyways I know how the music is so loud it drown out the vocals. I like some metal but not death metal, Im more of the 60s-90s oldies and classics. I do like some more recent alternatives, I like the music mostly as Ive never really been able to make out the vocals anyways unless I had the lyrics to read ( which I now do on youtube ) funny how many I sang wrong and whooo some of the things I thought was sung...lol
But yes, I am just trying to educate myself better on this before I go to a surgeon, audi or whoever to talk about it so I know what to ask, say and somewhat expect. I like to know a little about each product as well ( kind of like new car shopping between a cavalier and a silverado 4x4 ) lol should I get the tiny fuel saving putt putter or the monsterous gas guzzling beast? Should I add Turbo to that? lol
 
Your doing it the right way ... find out all you can before hand to make an informed decision ... a lot don't do that ... I was first told I was a candidate for a CI in 2001 but waited till 2009 to do it ... when you decide, the audi should be able to get you in to who you need to see ... may be a ENT surgeon or another audi to do specific testing for the CI(Medicare has stricter guidelines that must be met) ... in Winston Salem where I go there's only 1 audiologist that deals with the CI stuff specifically ... the audi will handle most of your questions too and can tell you what brands they have ... my audi was in the OR when it was done and after the surgery before taking me to recovery hooked her thing up and tested all the electrodes before they wheeled me to recovery ... it's a long drawn out process from deciding to do it to surgery day ...

there was something else I was going to mention but can't think of it lol hate it when that happens
 
ncff07 said:
there was something else I was going to mention but can't think of it lol hate it when that happens
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LOL happens to us all. I have been watching vids on youtube as well of the surgery and seen where they tested it before the patient was wheeled out to recovery. Im going to contact my audi soon and go see him to talk about it and all. Waiting to see what my wifes insurance changes and upgrades first. ( I get insurance through her as the spouse ) we opt'd to upgrade it for the hearing section last year which should go into effect soon....better coverage.
 
That reminded me ... the incision may be large or small ... depends on the surgeon ... JClarke had his a few months ago and I seen his incision site and it was small ... as to mine I had 15 staples in the side of my head from about 2 inches above my ear down and around behind my ear all the way to the bottom of it ...
 
you lose damage nerve your ear. I understood clear to CI review. approxiate $70,000 compare for addition for insurance will alike house pretty you handle you costly spending risk your budget. my experience expert study. I understood, But you have proper function your health high, MRI team decide CI cochlear implant review your assessment your brain make sure no damage. prevent to damage. won't damage for hurt to you

100% is high quality is very clear to define make sure correct to confirm mention for audiogoloy is. Audi and doctor is very strong assessment to your review,.

long time your possible long time your . you cannot fast times quick jump. I knew people have fast time serious people have jumping it sadly Cochlear implant cause damage nerve cause illness or perfect to cochlear become have professional lip reading cue speech. I understood I research some rare. odd. some rare people have jumping to awkward to ask to me mind to, I said to up to your to choice.

people have worry to Cochlear implant risk 2014 new technology costly, I understood observing to research study but. People have failure malufaure suppose have relpace to back to Cochlear implant. issues problem on repair. same exactly.I knew some rare Cochlear implant rare.

it is expect to better more relative to alike to improve development to mind your sound your skills lip reading. you goal sound I understand. you want to remove implant sometimes you up to you choice to up to you want to remove implant.

I said no choice to decide. I understand alikes cost will worst development to inexpensive. I said Good lucky to people Cochlear Implant have will failure. will happened show up. then happened modify sounds doesn't work you will make sure proper to functions. It is very careful sound.

it is very hard for you whether for your sound


Costly is very more than spending to for you.

I cannot do that do refusing to spending to insurance to for cochlear implant cause costly for expesnive for healthy Canada prevent policy. I knew wise avoid to Cochlear implant,, It will damage nerve cause affect to some make sure nerve your ear.

you want to up to your choice cochlear implant. mostly people have replace to remove implant then.



I cannot to help for you with for you, BUt you can do decide to think. who trust to opinion to your personal hard.
But I lost friends Cochlear implant Unfornately It is very difficult viewpoint my culture.


it costly is very expensive, so But I refusing to cochlear implant,

BUt I Have already imply I have lucky recovery healthy is very successfully :) impressive for me no damage. whew I am happy I scary Cochlear implant is very some danagerous. it is scary for me. It is risk level Cochlear implant.

I high Doubt Cochlear implant is very expesnive and costly failure.
 
There is a variety of opinions on who/can be "suitable" for Cochlear Implants.

I have mentioned before the actual experience of adults at Sunnybrook Cochlear Implant section/Toronto since 1984.
3000 referred=patients--2000 were deemed "unsuitable" for a variety reasons. Of the balance-1000 --18 didn't benefit when activated.

aside-I am one of thousand. Statistics given patients meeting- about a year ago.

Does any other centre give their statistics?

further aside: I just crossed over being 70 when implanted over 6 1/2 years ago.
 
That reminds me of something else ... Travis is correct ... they will be very close to your facial nerve and while minimal there is still a risk of nicking that nerve and your face be paralyzed ... but they use probes in that nerve so if they get to close they know it ... the left side of my tongue had a metallic taste for awhile but it went away ... and he's right about the MRI too you'll have metal in your head and won't be able to do that without having the CI's removed first...
 
ncff07 said:
That reminds me of something else ... Travis is correct ... they will be very close to your facial nerve and while minimal there is still a risk of nicking that nerve and your face be paralyzed ... but they use probes in that nerve so if they get to close they know it ... the left side of my tongue had a metallic taste for awhile but it went away ... and he's right about the MRI too you'll have metal in your head and won't be able to do that without having the CI's removed first...
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I'm going to clarify on the MRI bit. It's not because of the metal, but rather the magnet with the internal device. If an MRI is absolutely needed after getting a CI, the magnet can be removed, MRI done, then a new sterile magnet put back in. The entire internal implant is NOT removed for an MRI, only the magnet.


In my case, when I had the surgery done, was definitely not a small incision (not strictly behind the ear). Mine was more like an upside-down question mark basically, incision following the groove behind the ear and up a bit. Wish it could have been smaller, but my surgeon does what he's comfortable with.
 
ncff07 said:
and he's right about the MRI too you'll have metal in your head and won't be able to do that without having the CI's removed first...
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The internal implant is not removed. The magnet is removed in an outpatient procedure using local anesthetic. All that is lost is the ability to keep the headpiece positioned magnetically. You can use a hat or headband.
 
cdmeggers said:
I'm going to clarify on the MRI bit. It's not because of the metal, but rather the magnet with the internal device. If an MRI is absolutely needed after getting a CI, the magnet can be removed, MRI done, then a new sterile magnet put back in. The entire internal implant is NOT removed for an MRI, only the magnet.


In my case, when I had the surgery done, was definitely not a small incision (not strictly behind the ear). Mine was more like an upside-down question mark basically, incision following the groove behind the ear and up a bit. Wish it could have been smaller, but my surgeon does what he's comfortable with.
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BleedingPurist said:
The internal implant is not removed. The magnet is removed in an outpatient procedure using local anesthetic. All that is lost is the ability to keep the headpiece positioned magnetically. You can use a hat or headband.
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That's what I thought too and my audiologist told me the same thing but last year an oncologist was going to do an MRI and I told him about the implant after I left he called the ENT surgeon and was told the entire implant would have to be removed :hmm: besides the magnet they said it did have a small amount of titanium in it too ... :hmm:
 
the ENT surgeon ought to consult with the CI manufacturer then. CI Manufacturer will know exactly what to do depending on which implanted device you have. Shouldn't need to remove the entire internal device.
 
My incision was fairly large also. Definitely see a surgeon who does a lot of implants. They tested mine in surgery also. My pain level was fine, the allergic reaction is what got me.

The first voices I heard were my hubbies and mom. Walking out of my activation day I was hearing my own footsteps.
 
Yes, Ive watched youtube videos of the surgery, very graphic, but I have watched all the videos before having my spinal fusion as well....doesnt bother me at all. I should have been a surgeon or medic of some sort? Anyways, The surgery isnt my concern, its just informing myself and being prepared mentally.
 
Looked up my Audi today, he moved again and this time has his own business again. They were already closed so I will call tomorrow.
My wife came home asking me a bunch of questions about the CI and if I was going to do it, said I dont have anything to lose and she is tired of yelling to me as Im practically Deaf anyways...true.
So I will get in touch with him tomorrow and see what I need to do next.
 
my incision was pretty much exactly like in that photo, stitches and all! shaved area too.

good luck Sono, let us know what your audie says!
 
Thanks, Im nervous but really I have nothing to lose but very little residual hearing.
 
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