Test Results

[Hear Again]

Hear Again: Another question or two for you, why do you wish you could have continued using HA in your non-implanted ear? How long have you been bilateral?

I've been bilateral for a year now.

The reason why I wish I could still wear a HA in my nonimplanted ear is because I've worn HAs for over 20 years and have simply gotten used to using them. This may sound strange, but it's like giving up a long-time friend. My HAs have been with me for years and giving them up (even with my first CI) was an emotional experience for me.

Speaking of which, I had mixed emotions when I was told that I was a CI candidate. Part of me was elated because it was what I had hoped for, but part of me was heartbroken because I knew I had reached the end of the road as far as amplification was concerned.

The audi who fitted me with my first pair of HAs back in 1985 was the one who filled out my CI application (since her clinic offered free hearing tests and I needed an audiogram for the CI audi). I'm so glad I saw her because she was one of 3 audis who encouraged me to have a CI. I can still remember her telling me, "You have very, very little hearing left and yet you use your hearing so much better than patients I have with mild or moderate losses." I don't know if that was a fair statement to make since we are all different, but it made me realize how much hearing I *didn't* have.

I was also encouraged by my university audi who took one look at my audiogram and told me she thought I'd be an excellent candidate.

Anyways, I digress... Sorry for rambling.

 

[R2D2]

R2D2: Like Hear Again said, I didn't realize you were considering going bilateral & can't wait to hear your bilateral CI experiences! I am very excited for you!!!

I myself am struggling wondering if I'll be happy with one CI and one HA. I hate things to be 'uneven' so I wondered if I'll try pushing for a 2nd CI after I find that I am loving the CI after like 6 mos-a year of using the CI. Of course I'll kinda be afraid of giving up all the last of my residul hearing in my non-implanted ear but if being bilateral truly what will help me, then that's what I would go for!

Just take it one day at a time. It will take time for you to adjust to the first CI. It was only recently that I've had the desire to go bilateral. I'd say that 9 months post my implant was the point where my happiness with the implant has been greatest because I feel the small, qualitative differences that you get later are the nicest ones.

 

[set2]

Deafmama, My surgery is on July 19 and I will have my right ear implanted. I chose the freedom because I liked what I read about it especially the features like Whisper, Adro etc. The freedom felt the best on my ear.

I reached the point were I was considering not wearing a HA in the right ear because the HA was not helping enough and I was getting too much distortion and headaches. My loss is progressive and I felt it would be better to do this sooner than later. The audi and surgeon felt this would be an ideal time to go for it.

I am hoping one CI will be enough . My left ear is a little better than the right but the quality of the sound is just ok with some distortion especially in noise. If I can get bilateral sound back that would be incredible!

 

[sr171soars]

You'll have to put me on your ignore list!

No worries there. I guess I will have to live with all this bilateralitis going around. I think I'm immune enough! I have learned to never say never but don't hold your breath for now.

 

[Hear Again]

No worries there. I guess I will have to live with all this bilateralitis going around. I think I'm immune enough! I have learned to never say never but don't hold your breath for now.

Bilateralitis? LOL!

Before I became bilateral, I remember reading all kinds of posts on one of the CI forums from people who were considering a second CI. It seemed as if *everyone* was persuing a bilateral which made me even more excited about getting mine.

As far as you going bilateral, I guess the rest of us will just have to keep the conversation going in the hopes of swaying you. (just kidding) I know you're happy with one CI and I completely respect that. In fact, I know many CI users who are quite satisfied with one and don't feel the need to have a second.

 

[Blazing Sunset]

Hear Again:

Once again, Welcome back to AD and it's so great that you're back!

You fared well from the tests! I can understand how it would be easier to hear sentences rather than single words.

I can't wait to find out what mine will be like!

 

[Hear Again]

Hear Again:

Once again, Welcome back to AD and it's so great that you're back!

You fared well from the tests! I can understand how it would be easier to hear sentences rather than single words.

I can't wait to find out what mine will be like!

Blazing Sunset,

Thanks again for the welcome back!

I also can't wait to see how well you do with your audiological testing!

In my case, I *loved* going back for mappings because it meant having another hearing and speech test. With each test, my percentages kept getting higher and higher.

What a far cry from the days I wore HAs! I can still remember how I used to dread being put in the torture chamber (err, I mean sound booth) for testing because the results were always a disappointment and kept getting worse from year to year.

The next time you're tested, be sure to post your results (but only if you are comfortable doing this). Hopefully it will serve as a source of encouragement to others who are newly implanted or are exploring CIs for themselves or their children.

 

[Blazing Sunset]

Hear Again:

You are welcome!

The torture chamber is a good way of describing how some of us may feel when having those tests! lol I used to feel the same way when I was tested each time with my HAs.

The last time I was in the sound booth was last week. The only test my audie gave me was to see how well I was hearing with the CI. The results are that I am hearing sounds averaging in the 30-35db range. That's so much better than it was when I was tested back in March!

The next time I go back in 3 months, I think I will be tested again in the sound booth. I am not sure what tests she will be giving me but I cannot wait! I know I have a long way to go and I am going to practice as much as I can put in each day!

I will be sure to post the results when I have the tests done.

 

[deafskeptic]

That is awsome, Hear Again! On my last test, I got like 3 percent which is a big improvment from 0 on my test!

I'll be happy with 50% one year from now as that's a reasonable expectation for someone like me.

Oh yes, I'm told I can hear high pitches sounds at 20 db and the lower pitched sounds at 30 dbs with the CI. I could only hear at 40 db with my HA.

 

[Hear Again]

deafskeptic,

That's great! You're right -- *any* amount of improvement is good -- especially for someone who is prelingual like yourself.

I look forward to following your progress! It sounds like you're off to an excellent start!

Like you, I heard at 40 dB (in the low frequencies -- I had no measureable hearing aided or unaided at 1000 Hz and above) with HAs, but I'm now able to hear at 20-30 dB with my CIs.

When my audi told me the results of my first audiogram, I was nearly in tears because it had been so long since I could hear that well. I'm 36 years old and the last time I could hear at 20-30 dB without HAs was when I was 3 years old.

I remember telling my audi prior to receiving my CIs that even if I could only hear 50% of speech, I'd consider my CIs to be a success. I also said that having the ability to enjoy music would be icing on the cake!

The past 2 years have been absolutely amazing! I consider myself fortunate to be living in a day and age when this wonderful technology makes it possible for the severely hard of hearing and deaf to hear.

Here's wishing you continued success!