shootin in the dark ?????

john57 said:
If you getting just two days with the throwaway batteries you may not even be able to get a full day with the rechargeable battery before recharging it again. My bigger concern is insurance after the three year warrantee expired. Cochlear is now changing $600 for a one year wear and tear service contact.
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Agreed -I asked my audie at my most recent remapping last month if he thought the rechargeable batteries were a good idea and he said that I'd probably only get 12 hours out of one. Not worth it to me to have to continuously swap out the battery packs.

As for price - I put a little $ away in a "kitty" every paycheck just to cover the expense of buying batteries, so when the time rolls around again, it doesn't put me in the poorhouse.
 
On the other hand, I think that its a fair deal. Most insurances cover CI fully, so the implantee should have to bear some of the day to day costs of using it.
 
deafdyke said:
On the other hand, I think that its a fair deal. Most insurances cover CI fully, so the implantee should have to bear some of the day to day costs of using it.
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Yah, we all gots to pay for what we get, I was just thinkin of a slush fund for people if they hit a rough spot or something.. I leaned a lot about the batteries and stuff today... Thanks...
 
sr171soars said:
I know that with the Freedom that one can get the rechargeable battery to use instead of regular batteries. While the cost can be expensive to get one, they pay for themselves over time.

I'm sticking with regular batteries and I can get about a years worth for about 80-90 bucks or so.
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I was going to say the same thing.

Just get rechargeable batteries. I don't know how long they will last, but they should last long enough so that you can recharge them when you're not using your hearing aid.

Perhaps, a recharger handset that you put your CI on overnight?
 
dreamchaser said:
cooool. Ebay can be a God send sometimes.

Do you play bass? I used to, rarely anymore, play 12 string and six. I used to write songs and was in a band way back when... it seems like a millenium ago... 1994- 8 The mini skirt just doesn't look the same anymore... LOL... But it is cool if you do music....
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Oh yeah, though the band is inactive for now. I like 4 stringers, but tune it down VERY low - F# B E A. I'm surprised my Harmony CI can discriminate the low freq, but speech is a :hyper: LOL
 
SCBassist said:
I located an example, click here
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You have to be careful in buying batteries off from eBay the example you are given are standard not the high current version for implants and in addition the batteries are expired two years ago! I use the Power One implant plus batteries and while you can get them on EBay they are no bargain. Since I listen to a lot of music I would not be happy with the standard version 675 of the battery. Cochlear has release a technical power showing that higher current version of the battery will give better sound quality if you are using a high current map. About 50% of the batery life is used to power the transmitter coil so that the receiving coil inside the head can receive power and the control signals.
 
I aksed 3 of my students (all 3 Freedom users) this am about this question, and all say they use rechargeables and pay out of pocket. They also stated that all repairs are paid for out of pocket.
 
SCBassist said:
Oh yeah, though the band is inactive for now. I like 4 stringers, but tune it down VERY low - F# B E A. I'm surprised my Harmony CI can discriminate the low freq, but speech is a :hyper: LOL
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that is so exciting. I am happy for you that you can enjoy what you love. What kind of music are you into?
 
jillio said:
I aksed 3 of my students (all 3 Freedom users) this am about this question, and all say they use rechargeables and pay out of pocket. They also stated that all repairs are paid for out of pocket.
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Jullio, am I wrong for considering that this issue might be mportant for people that have to keep their CIs functional? We are looking at a recession, and they are saying a million people could be losing their jobs this year. I was just wondering what resources could be our there for a CI wearer if they lose their job or something. I heard somewhre, I think it may have been in someone's post, something about people no longer being eligible for federal funding if they had a CI and were functioning well with it because they could not claim to be disabled. If that is true, and if jobs are cut, and prices keep going up, I was just a little concerned that these extra costs would be very hard to keep up with. I am ignorant about this stuff I know. That is why I am asking. People around here are losing jobs, and the food banks are running out of food, and the unemployment benefits are running out. People are not even hiring in the food industry or retail industry because no one is spending any extra money to out or buy stuff.
 
dreamchaser said:
Jullio, am I wrong for considering that this issue might be mportant for people that have to keep their CIs functional? We are looking at a recession, and they are saying a million people could be losing their jobs this year. I was just wondering what resources could be our there for a CI wearer if they lose their job or something. I heard somewhre, I think it may have been in someone's post, something about people no longer being eligible for federal funding if they had a CI and were functioning well with it because they could not claim to be disabled. If that is true, and if jobs are cut, and prices keep going up, I was just a little concerned that these extra costs would be very hard to keep up with. I am ignorant about this stuff I know. That is why I am asking. People around here are losing jobs, and the food banks are running out of food, and the unemployment benefits are running out. People are not even hiring in the food industry or retail industry because no one is spending any extra money to out or buy stuff.
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No, I do not think that you are wrong for being concerned about this at all. We already have a paopulation int his country that has to decide whether they will pay for medications, or food. In the economic climate we currently face, we could also end up with a population that must decide between purchasing batteries or food. Some might consider that a stretch in logic, but it is a very real possibility.

And, yes, you are correct about assessment of disability. A person who has a CI or an HA and is able to function well with the devise, is not covered under the ADA as disabled. ADA criteria is based on the concept of functional limitations. If the devise alone allows the individual to perform the required tasks associated with the job, they are not entitled to protection uder the ADA. Additional accommodation is not mandated. One would have to have supportive evidence that functional limitations still exist despite the use of an assistive devise such as HA or CI. However, the majority are normally not restored to complete functional capability with the use of assistive technology, and it is not difficult to support the need for additional accommodation. But that situation can and does lead to discrimination and failure to provide proper accommodation in both the workplace and the classroom, and often requires a legal remedy to correct it.
 
john57 said:
You have to be careful in buying batteries off from eBay the example you are given are standard not the high current version for implants ....
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Never used battery variants, the size was just assumed. Like I said, its an example, not meant as something he should go for.
 
dreamchaser said:
that is so exciting. I am happy for you that you can enjoy what you love. What kind of music are you into?
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Thanks, but getting perfect pitch never seems easy! LOL I listen to everything, mostly rock and country.
 
jillio said:
No, I do not think that you are wrong for being concerned about this at all. We already have a paopulation int his country that has to decide whether they will pay for medications, or food. In the economic climate we currently face, we could also end up with a population that must decide between purchasing batteries or food. Some might consider that a stretch in logic, but it is a very real possibility.

And, yes, you are correct about assessment of disability. A person who has a CI or an HA and is able to function well with the devise, is not covered under the ADA as disabled. ADA criteria is based on the concept of functional limitations. If the devise alone allows the individual to perform the required tasks associated with the job, they are not entitled to protection uder the ADA. Additional accommodation is not mandated. One would have to have supportive evidence that functional limitations still exist despite the use of an assistive devise such as HA or CI. However, the majority are normally not restored to complete functional capability with the use of assistive technology, and it is not difficult to support the need for additional accommodation. But that situation can and does lead to discrimination and failure to provide proper accommodation in both the workplace and the classroom, and often requires a legal remedy to correct it.
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thanks for clarifying the ADA thing for me. I thought I was right, but wasn't sure.

Considering that CIs will probabl always be with us, and that people can't utilize (I think) any residual hearing that they had before the implant, it seems that they will be very dependent on batteries, or cables and things, and I just don't know how they will address the cost if they are without work, and don't qualifiy for disability benefits because they are functional. ??? I was just thinking it might be cool if someone nicely brought this to the attention of the industry that is profeiting, so they might create a slush fund, which they could tout as being caring.. ??? but it might inspire them to help... Just dreaming again..
 
dreamchaser said:
thanks for clarifying the ADA thing for me. I thought I was right, but wasn't sure.

Considering that CIs will probabl always be with us, and that people can't utilize (I think) any residual hearing that they had before the implant, it seems that they will be very dependent on batteries, or cables and things, and I just don't know how they will address the cost if they are without work, and don't qualifiy for disability benefits because they are functional. ??? I was just thinking it might be cool if someone nicely brought this to the attention of the industry that is profeiting, so they might create a slush fund, which they could tout as being caring.. ??? but it might inspire them to help... Just dreaming again..
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Yes, that is something that should be addressed cuz my aide had to go without her CI for 3 months cuz she didnt have the money to pay $300 to replace the coil. She has no health insurance so if something happens to her CI, she has to pay for it out of pocket. She was very frustrated without it cuz she is so dependent on it. I felt bad for her.
 
A person who has a CI or an HA and is able to function well with the devise, is not covered under the ADA as disabled. ADA criteria is based on the concept of functional limitations. If the devise alone allows the individual to perform the required tasks associated with the job, they are not entitled to protection uder the ADA. Additional accommodation is not mandated
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really? then how the hell did Jackiesolarnzio get those really good accomondations for her kids?
She has no health insurance so if something happens to her CI, she has to pay for it out of pocket. She was very frustrated without it cuz she is so dependent on it.
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Oh yes. I know a certain poster is so confident that the CI will allow this generation of oral deaf kids to really suceed......but you know what? Even well educated people have a hell of a lot of difficulty procuring really good quality health insurance. Even very healthy people are struggling to cope with the costs....I really do think that health insurance costs are going to be an insurmontable barrier for all except a few.
 
deafdyke said:
really? then how the hell did Jackiesolarnzio get those really good accomondations for her kids?

Oh yes. I know a certain poster is so confident that the CI will allow this generation of oral deaf kids to really suceed......but you know what? Even well educated people have a hell of a lot of difficulty procuring really good quality health insurance. Even very healthy people are struggling to cope with the costs....I really do think that health insurance costs are going to be an insurmontable barrier for all except a few.
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Cuz Jackie fought tooth and nails with the school district to get those accodomations for her kids.

In another blog, one deaf person brought up on how the taxpayers are paying for medicaid and medicaid pays for CIs so in essence we, the taxpayers, are paying for many CI surgeries. This person feels that the CI surgery should not be covered cuz (in that person's words..not mine) CI surgeries are not life-saving.

(Pls do not bash me cuz I am quoting someone from a blog)
 
deafdyke said:
really? then how the hell did Jackiesolarnzio get those really good accomondations for her kids?

Oh yes. I know a certain poster is so confident that the CI will allow this generation of oral deaf kids to really suceed......but you know what? Even well educated people have a hell of a lot of difficulty procuring really good quality health insurance. Even very healthy people are struggling to cope with the costs....I really do think that health insurance costs are going to be an insurmontable barrier for all except a few.
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I guess they still had functional limitations even with the CI.:dunno2: She also got medicaid to cover her son's implant.

Which kind of leads us right back to the issue of CI being less expensive to society over time. Two high schoolers using 2 Cart transcribers? Sounds like a pretty expensive accommodation to me.
 
jillio said:
I guess they still had functional limitations even with the CI.:dunno2: She also got medicaid to cover her son's implant.
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So that means the taxpayers paid for the implants as well as the CART services?
 
SCBassist said:
Thanks, but getting perfect pitch never seems easy! LOL I listen to everything, mostly rock and country.
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:) I did mostly and a little rock. I finger pick, and play rhythym, so I am no genius on the guitar,, but I do dearly love it.. Actually, it has been sittin here for weeks staring at me and wondering why I don't pick it up and tune it... :)

do you write songs? I have about an albumn of songs, I used to perform them on stage, but rasin kids got in the way of the music thing.. Anyway, it's nice to meet a fellow musician... I wish you much luck with it, and I am so glad that your CI is making it possible for you... good luck, and God bless... J
 
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