Hear Again
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2005
- Messages
- 20,114
- Reaction score
- 5
Today I had an appointment with my surgeon and audi.
My audi began by giving me a pure tone hearing test which indicated that I needed more emphasis in the high frequencies -- especially for my N24 which hadn't been mapped for quite a long time. We also set my C levels. As in the past, I set them a little higher to ensure that I'm able to hear environmental sounds well.
Even though I've had my first CI for almost 2 years and my second CI for 9 months, I'm still not used to very high frequencies. When my audi played a very high pitched beep tone, I felt a vibration and immediate dizziness. This caught me off-guard a little because I wasn't expecting the vibration
or dizziness. My audi suggested that we turn on my (right) Freedom processor so that I could listen to her voice and see if I still had problems with dizziness. I no longer felt any dizziness, but we decided to turn down that particular frequency two levels anyway to make it more comfortable.
Instead of resetting my C levels again for the left Freedom processor, my audi took the map from my right Freedom processor and transferred it to the left (since I'm using the same speech strategy and speed on both sides).
The only change that was made was allowing me to adjust volume and sensitivity. Volume is currently set on 9 while sensitivity is at 12. Volume (or sensitivity -- I can't remember which) is set to the default of 6 for ADRO and BEAM. Speaking of the latter, I requested that a little more volume be added to BEAM to see if I noticed any improvement in my ability to hear
in noise. Prior to today, the volume level on BEAM was set very low.
Since I use a high power map, we had some difficulty getting the computer to accept all of my C levels, so we decided to decrease the volume of each electrode by one notch. My audi noticed that I was using ZeniPower batteries and suggested that I use Cochlear's Power One Plus batteries instead due to
the high power consumption of my maps.
My audi turned on both processors and asked me how it sounded. In a word, it sounded wonderful! I couldn't believe the clarity of what I was hearing! As we were programming both Freedoms, my audi noticed the blank display on my right Freedom and said that she would order a new controller. It was also at that moment the processor decided it didn't feel like turning itself back on. Once I got the Freedom turned back on, I noticed a background hiss that I didn't hear before. In addition to the controller, I will also receive the colored caps and batteries I didn't receive at my second CI activation due
to my hospitalization.
We then went on to program my 3Gs. I was pleased to learn that I could use my 3Gs bilaterally as a backup -- one for my N24 and the other for the Freedom. Thus, I don't have to worry about having unilateral hearing should both of my Freedoms stop working. The volume and sensitivity maps on my 3Gs were replaced by two sensitivity maps.
I also saw my surgeon regarding my bilateral tinnitus. It was good to see him again since I haven't seen him in over a year. He asked if my tinnitus was getting worse and I was happy to report that it wasn't. I told him my tinnitus varies from day to day, but has been quite tolerable over the past few weeks. I also said that I no longer had any difficulty sleeping since
the last time I contacted him by e-mail. He requested that I let him know when the tinnitus becomes worse and I have trouble sleeping so I can be given medication to help me sleep.
Before I left, my audi asked me how I would be able to tell the difference between my left and right Freedom processors. Good question and one I hadn't thought of since I had been using the 3G and Freedom for so long! LOL! I decided to place a rubber band around the left Freedom temporarily until I could purchase some sparkling craft decals. Someone on another forum suggested that I use Braille labels, so I will be doing that instead.
Today I felt some degree of sadness as my former CI audi has left. Farah and I worked together for almost two years and it felt strange not having her at the center. She was a truly wonderful audi! I'll never forget her compassion
or professionalism.
Having said that, it was a real pleasure working with my new audi! I feel 100% comfortable with her and am sure we're going to have a great professional relationship! I'm definitely in good hands at my CI center!
Overall, I'm a *very* happy camper and can't wait to do more experimentation with the Freedom! It's only been a few hours, but so far, I LOVE what I'm hearing!
My audi began by giving me a pure tone hearing test which indicated that I needed more emphasis in the high frequencies -- especially for my N24 which hadn't been mapped for quite a long time. We also set my C levels. As in the past, I set them a little higher to ensure that I'm able to hear environmental sounds well.
Even though I've had my first CI for almost 2 years and my second CI for 9 months, I'm still not used to very high frequencies. When my audi played a very high pitched beep tone, I felt a vibration and immediate dizziness. This caught me off-guard a little because I wasn't expecting the vibration
or dizziness. My audi suggested that we turn on my (right) Freedom processor so that I could listen to her voice and see if I still had problems with dizziness. I no longer felt any dizziness, but we decided to turn down that particular frequency two levels anyway to make it more comfortable.
Instead of resetting my C levels again for the left Freedom processor, my audi took the map from my right Freedom processor and transferred it to the left (since I'm using the same speech strategy and speed on both sides).
The only change that was made was allowing me to adjust volume and sensitivity. Volume is currently set on 9 while sensitivity is at 12. Volume (or sensitivity -- I can't remember which) is set to the default of 6 for ADRO and BEAM. Speaking of the latter, I requested that a little more volume be added to BEAM to see if I noticed any improvement in my ability to hear
in noise. Prior to today, the volume level on BEAM was set very low.
Since I use a high power map, we had some difficulty getting the computer to accept all of my C levels, so we decided to decrease the volume of each electrode by one notch. My audi noticed that I was using ZeniPower batteries and suggested that I use Cochlear's Power One Plus batteries instead due to
the high power consumption of my maps.
My audi turned on both processors and asked me how it sounded. In a word, it sounded wonderful! I couldn't believe the clarity of what I was hearing! As we were programming both Freedoms, my audi noticed the blank display on my right Freedom and said that she would order a new controller. It was also at that moment the processor decided it didn't feel like turning itself back on. Once I got the Freedom turned back on, I noticed a background hiss that I didn't hear before. In addition to the controller, I will also receive the colored caps and batteries I didn't receive at my second CI activation due
to my hospitalization.
We then went on to program my 3Gs. I was pleased to learn that I could use my 3Gs bilaterally as a backup -- one for my N24 and the other for the Freedom. Thus, I don't have to worry about having unilateral hearing should both of my Freedoms stop working. The volume and sensitivity maps on my 3Gs were replaced by two sensitivity maps.
I also saw my surgeon regarding my bilateral tinnitus. It was good to see him again since I haven't seen him in over a year. He asked if my tinnitus was getting worse and I was happy to report that it wasn't. I told him my tinnitus varies from day to day, but has been quite tolerable over the past few weeks. I also said that I no longer had any difficulty sleeping since
the last time I contacted him by e-mail. He requested that I let him know when the tinnitus becomes worse and I have trouble sleeping so I can be given medication to help me sleep.
Before I left, my audi asked me how I would be able to tell the difference between my left and right Freedom processors. Good question and one I hadn't thought of since I had been using the 3G and Freedom for so long! LOL! I decided to place a rubber band around the left Freedom temporarily until I could purchase some sparkling craft decals. Someone on another forum suggested that I use Braille labels, so I will be doing that instead.
Today I felt some degree of sadness as my former CI audi has left. Farah and I worked together for almost two years and it felt strange not having her at the center. She was a truly wonderful audi! I'll never forget her compassion
or professionalism.
Having said that, it was a real pleasure working with my new audi! I feel 100% comfortable with her and am sure we're going to have a great professional relationship! I'm definitely in good hands at my CI center!
Overall, I'm a *very* happy camper and can't wait to do more experimentation with the Freedom! It's only been a few hours, but so far, I LOVE what I'm hearing!
