Welcome baaaack!! CI vs HA...

[Audiofuzzy]

Welcome back dear AD-ers,


I'm sure I was sorely missed lol

Well Hi, and how are you??,

I see lots of new faces and few of old timers, lots of changes around, huh?
who's stayed and who's gone? Is Lucia Disturbed still here (hello!)?

I have a question to ya guys as I have big decision to make:
My hearing aids got broken for well, and I need to buy a new ones.
I need two.

My hearing loss is so severe at this point, it was suggested by my HA dealer to investigate a CI option.
Now, normally I wold be jumping at this opportunity if not for my freaken' migraines.
The sound is a very strong trigger for me (it induces M episodes) and I am afraid hearing well all the time, and loud, will backfire on me.
I know (I remember) a person who was CI-ed and her migraines were gone ever since, but everyone is different and it may not work that well for me.
So I'm afraid.

If not CI, then supposedly the only option for me is Phonak Naida IX
Phonak Naida IX Hearing Aids - $2,159.99

which have 'restoration of high-frequency hearing'. (hmmm - sounds good!)

What worries me, I tried two different digital HAs before and I don't know what was the cause of it
but both times they gave me this irritating, bothersome, steady, constant humming sound, like a plane was flying a far far above or a big car idling also far away.

Is it like that with all the digital hearing aides - the background hum or whatever this noise is? why is it happening at all anyway?

second - is the Phonak Naida IX indeed the best option out there for me,
or some other manufacturers have something better? or equal at cheaper prices?

What about Hybrid Cochlear Implant? Is it any good? is it easy to get accepted for it?
Is there anything newer, more advanced at this point than that?

What would you recommend, guys, please?

with warm greetings,

Fuzzy

 

[deafdyke]

Fuzzy, if I were you I'd go see an audi/ENT at a REALLY good (think university based) ENT hospital....they may be able to help you more then we can.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Hi Deafdyke, and how are you

I think I will do that.

However I thought about the whole thing,
and I suppose either way I have to buy HA first, as the process of being sent to the specialist (yes, it's gonna be the big CI kahuna here) will take appmx 3 months anyway, and then who knows what's gonna happen,

meantime I am going bonkers already w/o my HA and driving everybody else along with me.


So I would appreciate an advice on the hearing aids- is Phonak Naida IX
indeed the best on the market right now for a profound hearing loss, or is there something even better out there? any input?


Fuzzy

 

[overthepond]

Ditto to what DD had said.

On other hand, I suffered mirgaines pre implant but not on regular basis, only at times when I am stressed out, over tired which I was like when I had HA's, I found lipreading hard all day which often triggers headaches to full blown mirgaines if I don't catch it in time! I was often on codiene and anti sickness tablets for mirgaines (i have not got them anymore to give medical name for it). After few months of being switched on I noticed I was less tired, less overwhelmed, found lipreading much easier and my life in general became calmer and chilled out. My mum who lives in other country she often commented (I only see her 3/4 times a year) that every time she sees me, I have become more chilled out and let things slide over my head. I only had one mirgaine in the 2 years I had the implant.

When I was switched on the audiology made sure that the sounds are quiet until I got comfortable with it then I turn it up until I had maxed it out then the audiologist would increase the volume so on, it was in the last year that the volume is settled for me to enable to hear at 25/30 db across the board. I rarely experienced loud sounds and they do not hurt.

Each person has different outcome with the implant, it's hit or miss suitation.

Hybrid implant, it's a very tricky implant and depending on your loss. It needs to be researched very carefully, it's known that few people had it explanted and put normal implant in due to loss of low frequency also it's not widely used. I could ask Cochlear for you, I think Med-el does them too (there is a blog to a person who has it), Not sure if AB does it (perhaps Faire-jour or other AB users would help)

AB got the newest software installed recently called Clear Voice and alot of people love it.
Cochlear had newest processor called N5 which will be backwards compactiable with older implants, also have auto T coil installed at choice.
Med-EL, I have no idea.

I am going to have my left ear (unimplanted) assessed for new HA on 9th june. (i am using analouge at the moment)

 

[cdmeggers]

Seems like the Naida is indeed the best hearing aids out there for severe-profound losses. But I'd suggest you try the Naidas first before buying them outright. See if the audiologist can get the Naidas programmed to your hearing loss and that you are happy with them first. It's probably going to take many trips to the audiologist to adjust the Naidas. I don't know what other powerful hearing aids there are out there.. There's Oticon Sumo but they use older technology.

I myself will be trying the Naida IX on the 16th I think. Have an appointment to discuss different hearing aid options. Audie told me he has a few clients with the Naida IX and they're happy with them, and clients with Sumo who were not happy, Sumo break more frequently etc. I've tried the Naida V 2 years ago and I wasn't happy with it (it was brand new and fresh out of the market then, so it's possible the Naidas still had bugs/glitches that needed to be taken cared of). Hopefully it'll be a better trial with the IX this time but only time will tell.

I'm still trying to get a CI for my left ear (left ear is my dead ear) but Medicaid's got their own policies and blah. If I had Medicare, it'd be a different story. Going to keep hearing aid in right ear.

 

[A]

Why do people say severe-profound? does it mean they are severe in one ear, and profound in the other? or just the level of how much they can hear? I think I'm in the 90 dbs loss in both hear.. I have enough hearing to hear with my hearing aids, but I can't hear anything without my hearing aids.I have enough hearing loss to qualify for CI.

 

[faire_jour]

Why do people say severe-profound? does it mean they are severe in one ear, and profound in the other? or just the level of how much they can hear? I think I'm in the 90 dbs loss in both hear.. I have enough hearing to hear with my hearing aids, but I can't hear anything without my hearing aids.I have enough hearing loss to qualify for CI.

Severe to profound. That would mean that some frequencies could be as high as 60 db (that is the top of severe) to as low as 120 db or no response. I think a lot of people have audiograms that slope or have a range of db responses.

 

[deafdyke]

Audiofuzzy, Excellent. Someone who's a right off the bat canidate really shouldn't bother with going to see a top of the line specialist. They can just get served at the CI clinic. However, in your case you've got complicating factors. A top of the line specialist would be more experianced in dealing with people with complicating factors.

 

[A]

Severe to profound. That would mean that some frequencies could be as high as 60 db (that is the top of severe) to as low as 120 db or no response. I think a lot of people have audiograms that slope or have a range of db responses.

ok, the only record I have is my CI report (I requested an audiogram but they didn't do it. This is the closest audiogram I have) and it says I have a history of bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss

 

[Audiofuzzy]

To add to Faire_jour,

Why do people say severe-profound? does it mean they are severe in one ear, and profound in the other?

it is a hearing loss range,
it means the hearing loss one experiences is between severe to profound.
If you have bilateral profound, it means in both of your ears the hearing loss is profound, meaning is beyond severe as of now.
btw I am pretty sure by now mine is profound in both ears, too.

Thank you everybody for your responses.
here's what I did so far:
In two weeks I will see my fam dr and will ask to be referred to this big kahuna of CIs in our parts (BC, Can). Then I wait.

Today, I also talked to a very nice HAs dealer who explained that
to a Phonak Naida IX something of Siemens is comparable,
and that they personally prefer Siemens quality over Phonak but the choice is mine,
and there is also a third manufacturer which makes a similar product but I forgot its name already, too.

I can try each product in turn, and decide which I like best,
and that the humming sound coming from the digital HAs I had a problem with in the past could have been due to
a/ inappropriate programming
b/faulty HA
c/new, inadequate technology
d/ indeed I may not be a good candidate for a digital (yikes)

I am booked sometime next week for HA trials, and will let you now how is it going.
Still waiting for a loaner, arrrgh.

Once again, thank you all for your invaluable advice!
It's been so nice to talk to you all!

Fuzzy

 

[koozieonline]

Welcome back dear AD-ers,


I'm sure I was sorely missed lol

Well Hi, and how are you??,

I see lots of new faces and few of old timers, lots of changes around, huh?
who's stayed and who's gone? Is Lucia Disturbed still here (hello!)?

I have a question to ya guys as I have big decision to make:
My hearing aids got broken for well, and I need to buy a new ones.
I need two.

My hearing loss is so severe at this point, it was suggested by my HA dealer to investigate a CI option.
Now, normally I wold be jumping at this opportunity if not for my freaken' migraines.
The sound is a very strong trigger for me (it induces M episodes) and I am afraid hearing well all the time, and loud, will backfire on me.
I know (I remember) a person who was CI-ed and her migraines were gone ever since, but everyone is different and it may not work that well for me.
So I'm afraid.

If not CI, then supposedly the only option for me is Phonak Naida IX
Phonak Naida IX Hearing Aids - $2,159.99

which have 'restoration of high-frequency hearing'. (hmmm - sounds good!)

What worries me, I tried two different digital HAs before and I don't know what was the cause of it
but both times they gave me this irritating, bothersome, steady, constant humming sound, like a plane was flying a far far above or a big car idling also far away.

Is it like that with all the digital hearing aides - the background hum or whatever this noise is? why is it happening at all anyway?

second - is the Phonak Naida IX indeed the best option out there for me,
or some other manufacturers have something better? or equal at cheaper prices?

What about Hybrid Cochlear Implant? Is it any good? is it easy to get accepted for it?
Is there anything newer, more advanced at this point than that?

What would you recommend, guys, please?

with warm greetings,

Fuzzy

Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can’t wait to read lots of your posts.

__________________
koozies online

 

[deafdyke]

Awesome Fuzzy, sounds like you're in good hands. I do think that if a person is an ambigious canidate for the implant, (unless of course they have a totally deaf ear and some hearing in their other ear, or other ambigiousities ) they really should see about an intensive hearing aid clinic. What I mean by that is they would go to a good audi, and try different hearing aids in the soundbooth.

 

[CrazyOne]

Look into middle ear implants. They are being developed to bridge the gap between hearing aids and cochlear implants.

C1

 

[vallee]

Just popped in to say hi to Audiofuzzy!!!

I had terrible migraines before my cochlear implants. I have not had a migraine since surgery almost 3 years ago. My neuro has stopped all medicine.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Hello Vallee!

yes it was you I was thinking of when I wrote about no more migraines after CI. I am so shocked it helped you so well, but very happy at the same time!!

I however might be not getting it yet (the CI), as the HAs I will be getting seem to be working pretty decent still, and also looks like my hearing loss didn't change any since 2005.

Which is a big surprise to me as I was SO sure I lost more,
but turns out the Beltone hearing aid crap I had was truly crappiest crap I ever had when it comes to hearing aid,
so it was probably that's why I thought I was losing my hearing - but it was just a poorer and poorer quality sound.



Fuzzy

 

[Audiofuzzy]

and oh, oops I forgot to add yet I meant to start with this;

Today I had my appmt with the HA dealer who fitted me for a trial with this Siemens HA, a digital one - (again forgot what's called will check tmrw)
but said he thinks I will benefit better from a different one, more powerful,
he didn't had it in the office yet so I have to wait until next Thursday (which is okay)
meantime I will wear and see how I like this digital one.
This time I don't hear any humming or other annoying steady background sounds, but the programming gave me a major migraine attack which is still on, and because of that I can't wear two of the HAs, only one.
I am worried now and wonder if the migraine persist because the stress of programming brought a major episode on,
or something else (could be hormones) or it's the aid after all...
I am very worried. We'll see tomorrow, hopefully.

If the mig will be gone, and I'll get another one soon after wearing the aids,
I will be devastated


I really did like the way they sounded, though,
and loved I have the option of switching from 1.universal to
2.'one on one' in noisy situation as I could hardly understand at a parties, bars etc.
I haven't talked on the phone yet, but he (the dealer) said it's much better than what I had before, so fingers crossed.

He also said he advise against CI for me because
a/ my hearing loss is the same since 2005
b/ the outcome for me is unknown, since I am used to hearing thru hearing aids, not "normal". so it's 50/50 chance it can go either way.
so while I still can have pretty good use of HAs, he feels it SAFER to stay with HAs.

Well I don't know - what's your intake on this? Does it really make a difference that I hear a bit different because of HAS as opposed of late deafened person?

Because in a way as a candidate for CI I am in way comparable to a late deafened person, I guess, except that since being 12 yo I was wearing hearing aids.
But does that really make a difference? most people switch to CI once HAs stop working, no?


Fuzzy

 

[lovezebras]

Correct. Most ppl once HA's don't work for them anymore or they are just a poor quality and aren't getting enough sounds that are of importance they look into CI...this guys wants your business which is why he is telling you not to go with a CI because he will be out a deal prolly. If you heard really well until you were 12 you have a leg up in the CI dept because your brain still has, at some point, heard sound and processed it like a hearing person which is good because your brain WILL remember it and make it easier to hear with a CI. Some ppl don't like the sound of the CI however but it does remarkable things with sound and being able to hear things you prolly haven't heard in agesssss. I would suggest maybe setting up a CI appt just to see if you qualify because if you do or don't the ultimate choice to go through with the whole thing is yours. Just let the CI audi know that you are not 100 percent sure if you want a CI but it is a definite option and you want to see if you qualify.

 

[A]

and oh, oops I forgot to add yet I meant to start with this;

Today I had my appmt with the HA dealer who fitted me for a trial with this Siemens HA, a digital one - (again forgot what's called will check tmrw)
but said he thinks I will benefit better from a different one, more powerful,
he didn't had it in the office yet so I have to wait until next Thursday (which is okay)
meantime I will wear and see how I like this digital one.
This time I don't hear any humming or other annoying steady background sounds, but the programming gave me a major migraine attack which is still on, and because of that I can't wear two of the HAs, only one.
I am worried now and wonder if the migraine persist because the stress of programming brought a major episode on,
or something else (could be hormones) or it's the aid after all...
I am very worried. We'll see tomorrow, hopefully.

If the mig will be gone, and I'll get another one soon after wearing the aids,
I will be devastated


I really did like the way they sounded, though,
and loved I have the option of switching from 1.universal to
2.'one on one' in noisy situation as I could hardly understand at a parties, bars etc.
I haven't talked on the phone yet, but he (the dealer) said it's much better than what I had before, so fingers crossed.

He also said he advise against CI for me because
a/ my hearing loss is the same since 2005
b/ the outcome for me is unknown, since I am used to hearing thru hearing aids, not "normal". so it's 50/50 chance it can go either way.
so while I still can have pretty good use of HAs, he feels it SAFER to stay with HAs.

Well I don't know - what's your intake on this? Does it really make a difference that I hear a bit different because of HAS as opposed of late deafened person?

Because in a way as a candidate for CI I am in way comparable to a late deafened person, I guess, except that since being 12 yo I was wearing hearing aids.
But does that really make a difference? most people switch to CI once HAs stop working, no?


Fuzzy

I wore hearing aids all my life before preschool. started wearing CI in my late 20's. back in 2003.

it does help alot compare to hearing aids, but you will still struggle with it some areas. it depend on how much hearing you have. If you are moderate HOH, CI is not going to make that much of a different because in some cases, a deaf person with CI is like being mild/moderate HOH (with or without HAs). I'm assuming you are severe/profound because you are candidate.

If you looking for answer on how to handle parties and telephones, I'm afraid CI isn't going to be the answer. While some can use the telephone and such, not everyone. I will know I'm ready for telephone if I can understand people on youtube and televisions without caption.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Once more- THANKS for the replies

To be clear - I was probably born deaf, but the first signs of me having difficulty hearing showed when I was 5.

I just started using HAs at 12. I don't know why my parents decided to be at this age for me.

You are right, maybe HAs dealers look at CI as the $$$ lost, and they will advise against it.
I however decided I am happy with this newest digital technology for now, and will leave CI for later, when HAs won't be enough.
That's because while we were programming the HAs, I was bombarded with all sort of bass and trebles and in a matter of 15 minutes I got nauseous
and knew I was getting migraine from all that noise. And I did. Real bad major one.

I am scared if I will hear all those sounds on a daily basis I will constantly in a migraine state. I know I may also not, but do I have guarantee I won't? that's the problem. if I could only knew beforehand ...sigh...

Unfortunately, - am I cursed or what,
yesterday I couldn't wear both of the new HAs due to a horrible migraine I developed from the stress of programming.
Today as soon as I put the left aid on it sounded weird to me,
and after about an hr it sounded like the tube had water in it just as I had my apmtnt with my fam dr.

On my way back home it suddenly went on and worked well for about 4hrs, then it went suddenly off (dead) for well.
So I had to take it off, and tomorrow I will see the guy about it. crap crap crap what a luck I have.

well, at least I didn't get migraine from wearing both of them while they worked so that's a good thing.

But to still have two HAs on, I put the old Beltone analog on and gosh - what difference in quality of sound, yeah.
So I am hoping the other Siemens I am waiting for, more powerful will be even better I hope.
This one btw is Siemens Motion 700 BTE,
and what I am waiting for yet, I dunno.

I will update you as soon as I will have any news if you are still interested

Fuzzy