second thought about idea of going bilateral

[SkullChick]

I know some of you know I said I don't want get other ear done till future technology, cuz of left ear mild issue, etc but I tried wearing CI again on left ear after 2 weeks I started out on 2, increased to 5 for both volume and sensitivity, so far no problem no discomfort, but need new mapping it sound little muffled. Look like I only needed break from sound as long its working out great again
Anyways, back to the point... Well, I've been thinking a lot about it and I realized something..... Maybe its not good idea to get completely new technology design with ribbon-like longer and more electrodes because it'll be like brand new phone came out in market and when you got it, realized it have so much issues like signal not working for days, keypad glitch, calling someone by its own, not ringing, whatever problems for a while till people fix it to "perfected it" so I don't want get implanted and having issues with it or risk of it failing on me, or all new unknown issues.....
So I thought my ci is same design around for 20 years (sure its modified a bit but its the same internal implant design) so its proved to be safe, .01% failure rate, and very effective and upgradeable so I'm thinking maybe its better to get my right ear done now with safe technology that work great and I still will get upgrade with new technolgy.

BUT I'm thinking if its worth it risking that I'd might have to drop out the heavy metal and hard rock out of my life for long time or possibility forever (waaaahhh! lol)
But at the same time, it (music) COULD sound better with right ear since its dominant ear and it should accept loud noise better than left ear....
If its worth losing fluctuant (spelling?) residual hearing, but at the same time it could be false, phantom sounds from my right ear being jealous and with new auditory memory it make up sounds?
If its worth it if I get right ear done and on activation day my right ear might'll get very happy and makes brain to use it as "main ear" and stick tongue out to my left ear and give left ear duty to do only localizing and extra help in noisy evorinment?
But at the same time it could be good thing it might mean my right ear might do a LOT better in everything, higher score on speech listening test, accept more sounds, lower decibels on audiogram (better than 30) all good things since it is still the dominant ear (I know it because of right ear being jealous and constantly trying to hear out of right ear and I don't feel like I'm hearing in left it feel sort of middle like right ear is trying to pull hearing to come in from right its hard to describe the sensation)

So I want some support, give me more cons/pros, talk it out with me, whatever you think can help with it.

PS: my right ear is unaidable and most recent I've wore hearing aid was fall of 2007 for trial part of CI evaluation and before that I stopped wearing it 4 years ago but I begin wearing it at age 3 and nonstop until 4 years ago on right ear only and left is stopped at around age 6-8.

 

[LadySekhmet]

Hey SkullChick!

Okay, here's my advice. I did not want to wait for the newer technology because that's so far off, and I think it will be a little weird to have one ear with a CI, and the other ear something totally different...it may not work well "together", and you would have to have the other CI off or even to the point removed. The other reason is, since I have two so close together, I can do the training all in one shot. Some people who waited a year or two, or even more, have to "start over" again.

Now - I am not saying that you need to get rid of Heavy metal music at all, just do it moderately. To be honest, there's still some music that sound horrible to me, and most of them are the rock music. I *believe* it's because the vocals are "screaming" at times, and there's a LOT of background music overlapping. CI cannot really handle that for a while, until you listen hard, and try to "break things apart", to find what sounds are missing, what sounds "hurt", what sounds are too loud or distorted. The way I do it is I listen to a couple of my favorite songs over and over, then I will pick apart the song, and explain to the audiologist. She has to KNOW the sounds and their frequencies. If she doesn't then that sucks...bring in a Cochlear representative. I would hate to see you give up heavy music that means so much to you. :-D You can also try to lower the volume and just enjoy it a bit quieter for now, over time, it should get better.

If you do get implanted in your Right (why is it unaidable? is it completely deaf?), you may probably experience a rude awaking because your right ear hasn't been simulated, and it may take a little bit more time for things to start to sound normal again. Kind of taking off your hearing aid for a month, then putting it back on...it sounds loud right? However, my audiologist and a few people feel that their better ear actually works better because of the auditory memory. Both your left and right will work together.


Hugs, and hope things works out for you with your new map! Don't give up!

 

[SkullChick]

Hey SkullChick!

Okay, here's my advice. I did not want to wait for the newer technology because that's so far off, and I think it will be a little weird to have one ear with a CI, and the other ear something totally different...it may not work well "together", and you would have to have the other CI off or even to the point removed. The other reason is, since I have two so close together, I can do the training all in one shot. Some people who waited a year or two, or even more, have to "start over" again.

I know that's what I'm thinking, too much risk involved with newer technology and not going to work well together

Now - I am not saying that you need to get rid of Heavy metal music at all, just do it moderately. To be honest, there's still some music that sound horrible to me, and most of them are the rock music. I *believe* it's because the vocals are "screaming" at times, and there's a LOT of background music overlapping. CI cannot really handle that for a while, until you listen hard, and try to "break things apart", to find what sounds are missing, what sounds "hurt", what sounds are too loud or distorted. The way I do it is I listen to a couple of my favorite songs over and over, then I will pick apart the song, and explain to the audiologist. She has to KNOW the sounds and their frequencies. If she doesn't then that sucks...bring in a Cochlear representative. I would hate to see you give up heavy music that means so much to you. :-D You can also try to lower the volume and just enjoy it a bit quieter for now, over time, it should get better.

Yeah I know, only part I seem to can't really hear in music is bass guitar. Hm I don't know really. I'll try to pick out sound what hurt.

If you do get implanted in your Right (why is it unaidable? is it completely deaf?), you may probably experience a rude awaking because your right ear hasn't been simulated, and it may take a little bit more time for things to start to sound normal again. Kind of taking off your hearing aid for a month, then putting it back on...it sounds loud right?

well its unaidable because I can't handle such high amplification, it makes me dizzy, unbalanced, strong "whoosh" feeling inside head, and painful. So its not safe AT all if I'm driving I can't be dizzy, feeling like I'll fall to my left side on floor all time. My fiance told me I keep leaning or walk to left side when I wore hearing aid lol.

However, my audiologist and a few people feel that their better ear actually works better because of the auditory memory. Both your left and right will work together.

yeah that's what I'm thinking.

Hugs, and hope things works out for you with your new map! Don't give up!

thanks

 

[LadySekhmet]

Bass Guitar - probably need to have the lows a little bit lower. It will increase your DR, but not the volume. You should tell her that you have issues with the bass, she probably refers to your audiogram to make the changes. I had to keep telling my audi to increase the low frequency sounds! She thought it may sound too loud due to my audiogram.

ALSO - if you feel the volume is too much for you, ask her to lower it. When I was first activated...Volume 0 to 9 sounded the same. My audiologist says that there's 10% difference from 9 to 0. She changed it so there's 30% difference because I told her that there are times when the same sounds I'm used to hearing sounds very loud (happen frequently at night time). So she made it different, now it sounds better.

You'll be surprised how many small changes you can do regarding to your programming.

 

[SkullChick]

Bass Guitar - probably need to have the lows a little bit lower. It will increase your DR, but not the volume. You should tell her that you have issues with the bass, she probably refers to your audiogram to make the changes. I had to keep telling my audi to increase the low frequency sounds! She thought it may sound too loud due to my audiogram.

ALSO - if you feel the volume is too much for you, ask her to lower it. When I was first activated...Volume 0 to 9 sounded the same. My audiologist says that there's 10% difference from 9 to 0. She changed it so there's 30% difference because I told her that there are times when the same sounds I'm used to hearing sounds very loud (happen frequently at night time). So she made it different, now it sounds better.

You'll be surprised how many small changes you can do regarding to your programming.

yeah, also she turned off number 8 electrode cuz i told her i hated way it sound and always have low DR lol, wonder what sound is in that area? hm.
I left message with my surgeon's secetary to call back to jason's mother phone (cant call back to my vp so lol) to let her know the time and date of the appt to talk more about bilateral if I should go for it. If he agree its good idea then I'd pick blue one for my right ear! lol makes it easier knowing which goes on which ear

 

[deafdyke]

well its unaidable because I can't handle such high amplification, it makes me dizzy, unbalanced, strong "whoosh" feeling inside head, and painful.

In that case I totally would opt for implanting that ear! I'm blanking out on the term of that condition. Vertigo and the other thingy....damn why can't I think of the term?

 

[SkullChick]

In that case I totally would opt for implanting that ear! I'm blanking out on the term of that condition. Vertigo and the other thingy....damn why can't I think of the term?

Yeah thanks for telling me to go for it I need support, encouragement to keep me going for it and get implanted if surgeon and audiologist approve it. I'm biggest wuss I don't want to chicken out of this surgery lol I know I want it.

If ur thinking Meniere's I don't have it, it only happen if I'm wearing hearing aid.

 

[deafdyke]

It does sound like you're a perfect canidate.....RECRUITMENT....that's the condition that I was thinking of!!! It's good that you're posting here....we can help talk you through the decision. I know I've been attacked in the past for not being gung-ho about CIs. However it IS a fact that everyone reponds to hearing technolgy differently. For some people, especially those who are somewhat ambigious, experimenting with different technologies might work just as well. I think those who are right off the bat canidates for bilateral implantation (ie NO benifit not even enviromental sounds from ha in both ears, or who have significent tintituas or recruitment) should go for the bilateral option without even blinking.
I think its great that people with significent recruitment and tintituas have the option of CI.
Do you know if implantation helps with vertigo? You know........You're in Delaware aren't you? Are you somewhat close to Johns Hopkins? It might be worth it to go and see the CI program at Johns Hopkins. That way you could get an expert opinon. They also tend to be on the cutting edge of stuff, so maybe a doc there might know if CI would prevent the vertigo.
Think about it this way. You can't wear your aid w/out it causing you physical pain. Yet you want to (and like being able to) hear.
GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SkullChick]

It does sound like you're a perfect canidate.....RECRUITMENT....that's the condition that I was thinking of!!! It's good that you're posting here....we can help talk you through the decision. I know I've been attacked in the past for not being gung-ho about CIs. However it IS a fact that everyone reponds to hearing technolgy differently. For some people, especially those who are somewhat ambigious, experimenting with different technologies might work just as well. I think those who are right off the bat canidates for bilateral implantation (ie NO benifit not even enviromental sounds from ha in both ears, or who have significent tintituas or recruitment) should go for the bilateral option without even blinking.
I think its great that people with significent recruitment and tintituas have the option of CI.
Do you know if implantation helps with vertigo? You know........You're in Delaware aren't you? Are you somewhat close to Johns Hopkins? It might be worth it to go and see the CI program at Johns Hopkins. That way you could get an expert opinon. They also tend to be on the cutting edge of stuff, so maybe a doc there might know if CI would prevent the vertigo.
Think about it this way. You can't wear your aid w/out it causing you physical pain. Yet you want to (and like being able to) hear.
GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, but there is surgeon I've been seeing is Dr. Teixido he's ENT and surgeon for CI in Delaware area. He did my left ear he did good job so I'm hoping to get him to do my other ear, hopefully he agreed with me, only person I'm worried about is my audiologist she was hard to convince to get just 1 ci, try 2! Lol but I think maybe this time'd be easier since she see how much better I'm doing now. Who know.

We'll see.
I hope to get it done very soon so I can start school next term after I get 2nd ci. Whenever that may be.

 

[deafdyke]

Oh I was just throwing out some thoughts. You should tell your audi that wearing your aid causes you physical pain.

 

[deafdyke]

Oh, and as for waiting for new technology...........I think that the CI hardware will be able to accomondate new programs etc. Like it's not gonna be like if you have an 80's era computer, and you can't use it for today's programs. I think the hardware will remain the same......but it's just the software and programs that will change.

 

[vallee]

Amy,
If you want to go bilateral then do it. I heard from my audie that most decide they want to go bilateral within a year of the first. I can only express how happy I am being bilateral. I love it. Music sounds great and yes I listen to some heavy metal.

 

[SkullChick]

Oh, and as for waiting for new technology...........I think that the CI hardware will be able to accomondate new programs etc. Like it's not gonna be like if you have an 80's era computer, and you can't use it for today's programs. I think the hardware will remain the same......but it's just the software and programs that will change.

Yeah but I'm concern about if they add more electrodes, longer or different style electrodes, not round clear spiral type maybe it'll become ribbon style, etc I just don't want anything different I want same one as my other ear to be safe and it still is very effective so I don't feel like its worth an risk with all unknown and no long term study on new design.

 

[SouthFella]

hmmm interesting.. I refused stimultaneous bilateral implants. I want to see how the first implant goes first and take it from there. And yes technology is changing all the time . There is talk now if a full implantable hearing aid. interesting.

The two Ci processors wont get confused, there is serial numbers in each and the implant know which processor works for which ear automatically.

Some insurance companies won't pay for 2 implants.

I would suggest give yourself some time and be patient with the first CI and see how it goes before jumping in for the 2nd CI implant. The poor brain can only handle so much of the new stuff pounding it daily.

 

[SkullChick]

hmmm interesting.. I refused stimultaneous bilateral implants. I want to see how the first implant goes first and take it from there. And yes technology is changing all the time . There is talk now if a full implantable hearing aid. interesting.

The two Ci processors wont get confused, there is serial numbers in each and the implant know which processor works for which ear automatically.

Some insurance companies won't pay for 2 implants.

I would suggest give yourself some time and be patient with the first CI and see how it goes before jumping in for the 2nd CI implant. The poor brain can only handle so much of the new stuff pounding it daily.

My first ci is fine it worked out all on its own I only need new mapping that's all now my volume and sensitivity is back to normal. I just need to pop coil off or turn it all way down when I'm in loud evironment so it won't happen again.
I want more, my right ear's jealous and makes all those annoying realistic tinnitus if CI's off. I don't want future technology I want it to be same as my other ear and your other ear is aidable so you don't know, my other ear is unaidable is useless and I want to give that ear CI and become useful again and I want more and full surround of sound.

 

[LadySekhmet]

I would suggest give yourself some time and be patient with the first CI and see how it goes before jumping in for the 2nd CI implant. The poor brain can only handle so much of the new stuff pounding it daily.

I got my second surgery within 4 months. I love my first one, so why not? I just didn't want to put off a year because I would have a set back in training. Now I have two, they both work together...in fact, I had to TURN up the DR on my left (the first one) because my right was just a lot better than my left.

To me, everything sound pretty much the same as I wore my hearing aids, with a lot more clarity and higher frequencies that I never had in the first place. Now I can hear everything on the 10db line, while on my hearing aids, I could only hear 30db-40db, then it drops.

IF my brain gets tired I simple take off the coil, it's not that difficult.

 

[R2D2]

When you first posted about going bilateral, I was bit unsure at first because you mentioned in earlier posts that you weren't that happy with the CI and with your word scores. But since you say that some of the problems have been resolved with a new map then perhaps going bilateral might give you the edge that you are looking for.

Going bilateral didn't vastly increase the word score for me in booth conditions, but it has made a tremendous difference in real life scenarios which often involve noisy backgrounds.

Good luck with your appointment!

 

[SkullChick]

When you first posted about going bilateral, I was bit unsure at first because you mentioned in earlier posts that you weren't that happy with the CI and with your word scores. But since you say that some of the problems have been resolved with a new map then perhaps going bilateral might give you the edge that you are looking for.

Going bilateral didn't vastly increase the word score for me in booth conditions, but it has made a tremendous difference in real life scenarios which often involve noisy backgrounds.

Good luck with your appointment!

I never said I wasn't happy with CI I only said I was having pain from heavy metal and headache-like pain on left side when taking it off.

I love my CI I didn't have new mapping yet, I just took 2 weeks break and I started wearing it again at volume and sensitivity at 2 and increased it to 5 and now its full 9 in volume and 8 in sensivity (that's my usual before that 2 weeks) I learned my lesson if I'm in constant very loud evironment I need to pop coil off and not to listen to heavy metal for while. Problem solved its back to normal.

My mapping appointment is on july 8th and meeting with surgeon to discuss about going bilateral on 9th. I just feel like it'd be great for me and I want it to be same part as left ear for my right ear.

Honestly I just want full surrounding sound and feel balanced and shut my right ear up and makes it happy by giving it an real sound

 

[KarissaMann05]

Ooh, I now see your point is... Whatever you made a best desicion, I will support you and will be right behind you!

Wish you a good luck!

 

[R2D2]

I never said I wasn't happy with CI I only said I was having pain from heavy metal and headache-like pain on left side when taking it off.

I love my CI I didn't have new mapping yet, I just took 2 weeks break and I started wearing it again at volume and sensitivity at 2 and increased it to 5 and now its full 9 in volume and 8 in sensivity (that's my usual before that 2 weeks) I learned my lesson if I'm in constant very loud evironment I need to pop coil off and not to listen to heavy metal for while. Problem solved its back to normal.

Oh okay. Looks like I misread your other thread. Glad that the problem has been resolved for you now