Shirley M
05-04-2007, 07:14 PM
[COLOR="red"][COLOR="red"]Hi,Is there anyone here with a CI? If so how long have you had it?
Hugs Shirley :wave:
Hugs Shirley :wave:
Sponsor
GypsyGrace
07-28-2007, 11:59 PM
My daughter has had a cochlear implant since she was 9 years old. She is now 14, is in honors classes at school, cheers on the high school JV cheer team. She has adapted very well to her new environment...... if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
neon_dreamer
07-29-2007, 01:21 AM
Shirley,
I'm an adult who has bilateral cochlear implants. I've had my first CI for 2 1/2 years and my second for 1 1/2 years.
I would also be happy to answer any questions you may have. :)
neon_dreamer
I'm an adult who has bilateral cochlear implants. I've had my first CI for 2 1/2 years and my second for 1 1/2 years.
I would also be happy to answer any questions you may have. :)
neon_dreamer
Donna52
09-08-2007, 08:24 PM
This post wasn't mine, but I've been advised to have these implants by my ENT. My hearing is very bad, even aids don't help that much. I could hear fairly well in elementary school/high school. The only time I had problems was in group conversation. I also could not hear someone whispering to me....all I could hear was what sounded like air blowing into my ears. I am now in my early 50's, and my hearing has gotten much worse in the past 8-9 years.
I don't know your ages or at what ages you were when you first had your hearing loss or received the implants. I don't want to have this done and be greatly disappointed because this implant won't be what I expected. I'm told it is NOT normal hearing, and that voices sound "mickey mouse" like. It's bad enough wearing hearing-aids that are very noticable..... I don't want something stuck to the back of my head in plain sight for the world to see.
I have small grandkids that I can't understand what they are saying to me, and I miss hearing my music like you wouldn't believe!! BTW, how does music sound with these implants???
I have been given a few email addresses of recipients who have had CI's. I've emailed only one so far. This lady had been hearing impaired since she was very small. Her hearing was alot worse than mine when I was young, so when she says that everything sounds like "normal" hearing to her with this CI, that doesn't help me a bit. I know what normal hearing sounds like, this girl never did. So, I need to speak with someone who for the most part of their life, did have pretty close to normal hearing. Her answers sounded more like a sales pitch to me, which makes me wonder if she and other recipients are paid to promote these CI's???
I don't know your ages or at what ages you were when you first had your hearing loss or received the implants. I don't want to have this done and be greatly disappointed because this implant won't be what I expected. I'm told it is NOT normal hearing, and that voices sound "mickey mouse" like. It's bad enough wearing hearing-aids that are very noticable..... I don't want something stuck to the back of my head in plain sight for the world to see.
I have small grandkids that I can't understand what they are saying to me, and I miss hearing my music like you wouldn't believe!! BTW, how does music sound with these implants???
I have been given a few email addresses of recipients who have had CI's. I've emailed only one so far. This lady had been hearing impaired since she was very small. Her hearing was alot worse than mine when I was young, so when she says that everything sounds like "normal" hearing to her with this CI, that doesn't help me a bit. I know what normal hearing sounds like, this girl never did. So, I need to speak with someone who for the most part of their life, did have pretty close to normal hearing. Her answers sounded more like a sales pitch to me, which makes me wonder if she and other recipients are paid to promote these CI's???
BigL
09-25-2007, 12:17 PM
My mom had profound hearing loss in both ears and BTE hearing aids were giving her very little help.
My mom went for the CI a little over a year ago and it has changed her life. It's been a God send.
My mom went for the CI a little over a year ago and it has changed her life. It's been a God send.
Donna52
09-25-2007, 12:50 PM
My mom had profound hearing loss in both ears and BTE hearing aids were giving her very little help.
My mom went for the CI a little over a year ago and it has changed her life. It's been a God send.
Did she always have a profound hearing loss or did she once have normal hearing? If she used to have normal hearing, how does this new hearing sound to her compared to how it sounded when she could hear? Anywhere close to normal hearing?
My mom went for the CI a little over a year ago and it has changed her life. It's been a God send.
Did she always have a profound hearing loss or did she once have normal hearing? If she used to have normal hearing, how does this new hearing sound to her compared to how it sounded when she could hear? Anywhere close to normal hearing?
BigL
09-25-2007, 01:50 PM
Did she always have a profound hearing loss or did she once have normal hearing? If she used to have normal hearing, how does this new hearing sound to her compared to how it sounded when she could hear? Anywhere close to normal hearing?
My mom was born with normal hearing. Hearing loss runs on the female side of my mom's family and my mom began to gradually lose her hearing around her late 30's (about 20 years ago).
As for as comparing sound, I asked her only once briefly and she said everything sounds pretty much normal, but it was 20 years since she was able to hear normally so im sure she cant remember it totally. My mom listens to music all the time (oldies that she is familiar with) and I never once heard her complain that the songs sound different. She can pick up songs on the radio right away. Her CI Device also has a music program and she doesnt feel she needs it.
My mom was born with normal hearing. Hearing loss runs on the female side of my mom's family and my mom began to gradually lose her hearing around her late 30's (about 20 years ago).
As for as comparing sound, I asked her only once briefly and she said everything sounds pretty much normal, but it was 20 years since she was able to hear normally so im sure she cant remember it totally. My mom listens to music all the time (oldies that she is familiar with) and I never once heard her complain that the songs sound different. She can pick up songs on the radio right away. Her CI Device also has a music program and she doesnt feel she needs it.
Donna52
09-25-2007, 03:44 PM
I have a few more questions:
1) did your mother have only one CI? If so, does she use a hearing-aid in her other ear?
2) What about the quality of a person's voice? Without looking at the people who are speaking, can she distinguish voices? I was told that voices sound Mickey Mouse like with this implant.
3) Does she have difficulty in a group conversation or in a restaurant where there is background noise?
4) I've heard that these implants are very expensive, something like $50,000.00 for 2 implants. I have to wonder if they are worth it (for myself). The life of a hearing aid is something like 8-10 years (if that long). What is the life of a CI? Will your mom have to have additional surgery over the years for anything, such as any kind of maintenance to the implanted part (new battery, etc) or replacement??
5) The part that is on the outside, is it small enough that she can cover it with her hair? (I am very self-conscious). Also how is it attached?
I know I'm asking many questions here, but I don't want to do this only to be greatly disappointed. I have yet to go to an ENT to see if I do qualify. Thanks.
1) did your mother have only one CI? If so, does she use a hearing-aid in her other ear?
2) What about the quality of a person's voice? Without looking at the people who are speaking, can she distinguish voices? I was told that voices sound Mickey Mouse like with this implant.
3) Does she have difficulty in a group conversation or in a restaurant where there is background noise?
4) I've heard that these implants are very expensive, something like $50,000.00 for 2 implants. I have to wonder if they are worth it (for myself). The life of a hearing aid is something like 8-10 years (if that long). What is the life of a CI? Will your mom have to have additional surgery over the years for anything, such as any kind of maintenance to the implanted part (new battery, etc) or replacement??
5) The part that is on the outside, is it small enough that she can cover it with her hair? (I am very self-conscious). Also how is it attached?
I know I'm asking many questions here, but I don't want to do this only to be greatly disappointed. I have yet to go to an ENT to see if I do qualify. Thanks.
BigL
09-25-2007, 05:45 PM
You can ask as many questions as you'd like. Before I answer anymore I first want to make you aware of a couple things. For one, i am not trying to tell you my mom's ear with the implant is normal or anywhere normal. Id just like you to know that before the implant my mom could not have one on one conversations with people in quite, or talk on the phone. She really couldnt hear a darn thing. Now she can do that and more. Dont get me wrong, there are times when she struggles to hear something whether its too quite, or blurry, but for the most part the implant has been fantastic.
Secondly, keep in mind that the implant's success varies from patient to patient. It may work super for some, pretty good for others, and maybe not so well for other patients. There are many factors that come into play that you should discuss with your doctor first. The odds are the implant will benefit you a great deal, but you should be aware of this.
Onto your questions, ill answer them as best as possible.
#1 Yes, my mom only has one implanted ear. Insurance companies do not cover a 2nd implant so you really have to try justify it to them it which my mom is going to try and do soon. My mom wears a hearing aid in her other ear once in a while, but she doesnt think it helps a great deal.
#2 I heard of the mickey mouse and chipmunk voices too and thats what scared my mom away from it for years, but my mom had no problem with this at all. As soon as her implant was activated she was able to hear people clearly. I think the "mickey mouse voice" stories are outdated and were occurring when the implant was first being rolled out (just my opinion), even if you did run into this problem it would only be temporarily. That would gradually go away with mappings.
#3 If its really loud maybe, but we went to a sweet 16 with a DJ playing music at a resonably loud level and my mom was hearing people at her table fine.
#4 The battery of a CI is not in your head, its on the external device that you wear so thats not a concern. Like a hearing aid. I THINK, but I am not certain, that if you ever had to go for an MRI that the doctor may have to deactivate the device or do something to it (not really sure so i shouldnt say more). As far as other matinenance, none that im aware of unless soemthing went wrong with the device of course.
As for the cost, I believe my mom's surgery was around $20,000 and assuming you live in the USA and you have insurance you SHOULD be covered aslong as your doctor proves that you are a viable candidate. Like I said above, insurance companies do not cover a 2nd implant.
#5 The outside part is bigger than a BTE hearing aid but it doesnt go into you ear canal, and a wire runs up with a magnet that attaches to your head where the implant is. If you have long hair you can cover it with no problem.
These are all great questions that you must bring up with your ENT.
Good Luck
Secondly, keep in mind that the implant's success varies from patient to patient. It may work super for some, pretty good for others, and maybe not so well for other patients. There are many factors that come into play that you should discuss with your doctor first. The odds are the implant will benefit you a great deal, but you should be aware of this.
Onto your questions, ill answer them as best as possible.
#1 Yes, my mom only has one implanted ear. Insurance companies do not cover a 2nd implant so you really have to try justify it to them it which my mom is going to try and do soon. My mom wears a hearing aid in her other ear once in a while, but she doesnt think it helps a great deal.
#2 I heard of the mickey mouse and chipmunk voices too and thats what scared my mom away from it for years, but my mom had no problem with this at all. As soon as her implant was activated she was able to hear people clearly. I think the "mickey mouse voice" stories are outdated and were occurring when the implant was first being rolled out (just my opinion), even if you did run into this problem it would only be temporarily. That would gradually go away with mappings.
#3 If its really loud maybe, but we went to a sweet 16 with a DJ playing music at a resonably loud level and my mom was hearing people at her table fine.
#4 The battery of a CI is not in your head, its on the external device that you wear so thats not a concern. Like a hearing aid. I THINK, but I am not certain, that if you ever had to go for an MRI that the doctor may have to deactivate the device or do something to it (not really sure so i shouldnt say more). As far as other matinenance, none that im aware of unless soemthing went wrong with the device of course.
As for the cost, I believe my mom's surgery was around $20,000 and assuming you live in the USA and you have insurance you SHOULD be covered aslong as your doctor proves that you are a viable candidate. Like I said above, insurance companies do not cover a 2nd implant.
#5 The outside part is bigger than a BTE hearing aid but it doesnt go into you ear canal, and a wire runs up with a magnet that attaches to your head where the implant is. If you have long hair you can cover it with no problem.
These are all great questions that you must bring up with your ENT.
Good Luck