Well today as I was unpacking my sewing room, I finally had time to try streaming music at home. I was a little apprehensive of this, but thought- "what the heck, I'll give it a try." So I grabbed my iPod out of my car and plugged it in to my roger pen, made sure I was wearing the battery with the roger receiver on it,put on some old music and let it go. I picked stuff I knew well and an artist I knew I wouldn't have any problem understanding just in case. Amazingly- it worked! I had a little trouble adjusting the volume at first until I found a comfortable level, but I was able to go about the business of unpacking while letting my iPod and roger pen sit in a safe corner of the room.
The range is great, too. I was able to walk through most of my house and keep signal. Now I know how far away my kids have to be before they lose me in school too. Good thing I take my mic off to visit the teacher's powder room! Admittedly, I don't think that's actually a problem at school with the thick, cinder-block and brick construction- but it does give me a better idea of true range with the roger system.
I did notice that using the roger system didn't seem to exclude everything else out there.. but again this could be odd circumstances. As I was listening and unpacking I occasionally turned on the vacuum cleaner and it drowned out EVERYTHING while it was on. This could be a combination of things, such as my proximity to the noise, the mic picking up the noise, or my good ear (with regular aid) hearing the noise and ignoring the signal coming from my processor.
So my second great try will be for using my phone on a bluetooth setting with my roger pen as a streaming receiver. I'll let you know how it goes.
On the sad side- it seems I am mildly allergic to my new house and have a never-ending case of sniffles *annoyed growl*.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Friday, July 8, 2016
post audiologist visit
Well I went to my audiologist appointment and we seem to have solved the problems I was having with the Auto Ultra Zoom program. We turned it off completely and fussed with my settings a bit so I could hear those softer sounds I was missing. I did another aided listening test and got about 50% of the sentences correct using only my implant/processor. We decided that my left ear was giving me more help than we realized- especially in the low tones and so we put an ear plug in that ear for the test. This helps us determine what I am really getting on just the implant.
Now, keep in mind that these tests are conducted in a sound-proof booth in a quiet environment. They are ideal conditions. Also keep in mind that these are sentences played on a speaker with no human reference and no context. They're a very good test of what can be heard and understood in an ideal environment- something that almost never occurs in reality. There is always background noise and usually some context (unless you're my husband- who is capable of coming up with things to say out of the blue just to confuse the heck outta me).
After adjusting the programming and putting me back on a wide-band (hear it all) mode, I came home with two programs. One with more high-pitched sounds than the other. I think we may have gotten things a little loud. I am finding I turn the volume down when I put on my processor each day. We'll see if I adjust to it or not. I also got permission to wear my hearing aid in the other ear along with my implant.
At this point, my audiologist says they start scheduling programming appointments every 2 months, but because I teach (restricted schedule), and I work with both signers and students using Listening and Spoken Language we scheduled another appointment the week before school starts. Hopefully by that time I will be able to tell how well I am doing in the school environment- teachers go back the week before students- and will be able to have programming adjusted accordingly.
For now I seem to be doing MUCH better at hearing things! My only complaint has nothing to do with my implant/processor and more to do with the construction continuing around my house- ALL THE NOISES! I have no idea what they are...
Now, keep in mind that these tests are conducted in a sound-proof booth in a quiet environment. They are ideal conditions. Also keep in mind that these are sentences played on a speaker with no human reference and no context. They're a very good test of what can be heard and understood in an ideal environment- something that almost never occurs in reality. There is always background noise and usually some context (unless you're my husband- who is capable of coming up with things to say out of the blue just to confuse the heck outta me).
After adjusting the programming and putting me back on a wide-band (hear it all) mode, I came home with two programs. One with more high-pitched sounds than the other. I think we may have gotten things a little loud. I am finding I turn the volume down when I put on my processor each day. We'll see if I adjust to it or not. I also got permission to wear my hearing aid in the other ear along with my implant.
At this point, my audiologist says they start scheduling programming appointments every 2 months, but because I teach (restricted schedule), and I work with both signers and students using Listening and Spoken Language we scheduled another appointment the week before school starts. Hopefully by that time I will be able to tell how well I am doing in the school environment- teachers go back the week before students- and will be able to have programming adjusted accordingly.
For now I seem to be doing MUCH better at hearing things! My only complaint has nothing to do with my implant/processor and more to do with the construction continuing around my house- ALL THE NOISES! I have no idea what they are...
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
AFK- moving
Well I've been off for about a week- we've been moving! Yes, you read that right. Amongst all of the other crazy, my husband and I have purchased and moved into our first home. It's been 6 months in the making. Before I even decided to be evaluated for an implant, we bought a house. We knew we'd be moving in June- there was no avoiding the timing.
So on top of teaching my first year, being a full time graduate student, getting a cochlear implant, and taking several required district classes during spring and summer, we bought our first home and moved. It's been a crazy year!
So later today I will be going back in to see my audiologist. I'll admit I've been bad and used my other hearing aid for the last week. I haven't been able to hear almost anything unless someone is right in front of me, facing me. This is a problem when we are hauling and moving boxes and packing/unpacking. It's simply not ideal for having to be facing the person you're talking to every single time you speak. Both my husband and I were getting frustrated and with all the stress- it wasn't worth it. I think the culprit is the Auto Ultra Zoom function we put into my processor last time. We also seem to have solved the problem with sound randomly cutting out on me. I think it was the cord that links my headpiece to my processor. We replaced that last time to see if that was the problem and it seems to have been. We will have to order a replacement cord.
I've also learned that I can't hear our doorbell unless I'm in the hallway with it. *SIGH* how aggravating!! I think I'm gonna have to break down and buy a doorbell flasher... GRRRR...
I'll update as soon as I can with how we fixed the problem this afternoon at my appointment. I'll probably be a bit sporadic in the next week or so- I will be doing (yet more still) unpacking and finishing up the 6 modules I have left for my ESOL class and doing a little side work for my parents' company as they move into shiny, new, not-in their house offices!
So on top of teaching my first year, being a full time graduate student, getting a cochlear implant, and taking several required district classes during spring and summer, we bought our first home and moved. It's been a crazy year!
So later today I will be going back in to see my audiologist. I'll admit I've been bad and used my other hearing aid for the last week. I haven't been able to hear almost anything unless someone is right in front of me, facing me. This is a problem when we are hauling and moving boxes and packing/unpacking. It's simply not ideal for having to be facing the person you're talking to every single time you speak. Both my husband and I were getting frustrated and with all the stress- it wasn't worth it. I think the culprit is the Auto Ultra Zoom function we put into my processor last time. We also seem to have solved the problem with sound randomly cutting out on me. I think it was the cord that links my headpiece to my processor. We replaced that last time to see if that was the problem and it seems to have been. We will have to order a replacement cord.
I've also learned that I can't hear our doorbell unless I'm in the hallway with it. *SIGH* how aggravating!! I think I'm gonna have to break down and buy a doorbell flasher... GRRRR...
I'll update as soon as I can with how we fixed the problem this afternoon at my appointment. I'll probably be a bit sporadic in the next week or so- I will be doing (yet more still) unpacking and finishing up the 6 modules I have left for my ESOL class and doing a little side work for my parents' company as they move into shiny, new, not-in their house offices!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Basic Tech part 2- The rechargeable battery
So my ability to hear hinges on the life of my batteries- as my hearing devices run on batteries. For years, my husband and I have held a Sams Club membership solely for the discount at which we can buy hearing aid batteries in bulk. I remember as a college student getting my first set of hearing aids and realizing that I would have to budget in the cost of hearing aid batteries within my already meager earnings. In the end it wasn't a huge burden- but I have got hearing aid batteries stashed EVERYWHERE. As an interpreter for the deaf- my ability to work depended on my ability to hear for my clients and interpret auditory information correctly and efficiently. I have batteries stashed in a cabinet at work, at home (desk and medicine cabinet), and in every purse, bag, or box I have ever used as well. I can't afford to be at work without batteries for my aids.
Well they've finally gotten over the love of zinc-air batteries for cochlear processors, thank goodness as they go through them like water through a colander. Now days they recommend rechargeable batteries for use with a cochlear processor. With my processor I received 3 rechargeable batteries which go into a charging stand every night.
As you can see here, the green light indicates these batteries are charged. If the battery is still charging, the light at the base will turn blue until it is done charging.
Each battery lasts between 10-25 hours depending on the size and use. I have two batteries that the roger receiver will hook onto- which are quite large with the receiver attached. I have one smaller battery that will allow my processor to fit into a small, specially made waterproof box made by Advanced Bionics. I'll admit I was a bit leary of a rechargeable battery because they tend to eventually stop taking a charge. This happens a lot with my students - And this is still true of these rechargeable batteries. After about 3 years of use, they stop taking a full charge- as this is the nature of the rechargeable battery. The batteries can be replaced as long as they are still under warranty.
While you can purchase a zinc-air battery case that will hook onto your processor and work just fine- I don't really recommend it unless it is a back-up option. Processors are pretty high-tech these days and they go through batteries really fast. Several of my students go through batteries every 2-3 days and this at 2 batteries at a time per processor. That's kinda pricey as they also tend to use the larger, size 675 batteries.
Now ask me what I plan to do at Gulf Wars next year? I'm not entirely sure. We are members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA.org) and camp for a week every year in Mississippi at a war event in a canvas tent. I won't have much access to power during that week. I guess I'll have to see whether I can appeal to a powered spot like constables or possibly to friends staying in the hotel on site to plug my charger in. This would have been one of the times a zinc-air battery case as a backup would have been smart. Oh well- maybe if I save up, I can convince my husband to just forgo the camping and get a hotel nearby for the week. Thats my kind of camping! He may be able to use a marine battery to run his CPAP all week, but I think it might just fry my delicate little batteries.
Well they've finally gotten over the love of zinc-air batteries for cochlear processors, thank goodness as they go through them like water through a colander. Now days they recommend rechargeable batteries for use with a cochlear processor. With my processor I received 3 rechargeable batteries which go into a charging stand every night.As you can see here, the green light indicates these batteries are charged. If the battery is still charging, the light at the base will turn blue until it is done charging.
Each battery lasts between 10-25 hours depending on the size and use. I have two batteries that the roger receiver will hook onto- which are quite large with the receiver attached. I have one smaller battery that will allow my processor to fit into a small, specially made waterproof box made by Advanced Bionics. I'll admit I was a bit leary of a rechargeable battery because they tend to eventually stop taking a charge. This happens a lot with my students - And this is still true of these rechargeable batteries. After about 3 years of use, they stop taking a full charge- as this is the nature of the rechargeable battery. The batteries can be replaced as long as they are still under warranty.
While you can purchase a zinc-air battery case that will hook onto your processor and work just fine- I don't really recommend it unless it is a back-up option. Processors are pretty high-tech these days and they go through batteries really fast. Several of my students go through batteries every 2-3 days and this at 2 batteries at a time per processor. That's kinda pricey as they also tend to use the larger, size 675 batteries.
Now ask me what I plan to do at Gulf Wars next year? I'm not entirely sure. We are members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA.org) and camp for a week every year in Mississippi at a war event in a canvas tent. I won't have much access to power during that week. I guess I'll have to see whether I can appeal to a powered spot like constables or possibly to friends staying in the hotel on site to plug my charger in. This would have been one of the times a zinc-air battery case as a backup would have been smart. Oh well- maybe if I save up, I can convince my husband to just forgo the camping and get a hotel nearby for the week. Thats my kind of camping! He may be able to use a marine battery to run his CPAP all week, but I think it might just fry my delicate little batteries.
Monday, June 20, 2016
End of my first week on...
Well I've been officially turned on for a little over a week now. I went in yesterday to see my audiologist to add in some programing with the roger receiver and roger pen. This neat little do-dad lets me use a microphone that looks like a pen as a personal microphone and also allows me to bluetooth sync with my phone so I can use my implant as a bluetooth phone receiver for phone calls. It is also what allows me to stream music to my processor.
First of all, let me say that apparently I am an unusual case when it comes to being able to distinguish speech so early on with my implant. While the background static is making me somewhat irritable, most people hear ONLY that fuzz for the first couple of weeks. (And for the record, I'm listening to what is apparently my front loading washing machine go through its spin cycle at the moment... it sounds like white static...whee!) My audiologist assures me the static will back off eventually and that she is pretty amazed with my ability to hear with the implant so early. We did an aided hearing test to see what I am getting and how we need to adjust things.
After doing the aided hearing test in the nice little sound proof box, we went in and hooked me up to a computer where my doctor ran some more beeping tests and adjusted how loud or soft various frequency bands are like an electronic equalizer or soundboard. Then, we got into the "other stuff" category of programming.
We added a program called "clear voice" as well as a program that softens sudden loud noises. Another program added is one that helps to dampen background noise in places like the car and restaurants. We talked about a few more, like echo block which I told her I would consider if I needed it regularly and my gratefulness for the wind-block program which helps dampen the sound of wind blowing past my microphones.
Next we put the roger receiver onto my battery (you need a specific type of battery to add the roger receiver shoe to your processor) and turned on the roger pen. With this I can stream calls from my phone via bluetooth. I've tried it once or twice and had utter fail. I cannot yet use this feature to distinguish clear language from an unknown person. I had to give up and have my husband call my doctor back to reschedule my appointment. Grr.
The other thing this neat piece of very smart technology can do is plug into my phone or iPod and stream music to me. This was also a total fail. It worked- but the signal was so fuzzy the music was indistinguishable. My audiologist assures me it WILL get better with practice- but I was so disappointed, I nearly sat there and cried. Why, oh why if I can hear and distinguish music from my car stereo, why can't I hear it directly streamed to me?! I'm still not sure of the answer and I haven't tried since to use it. I'm afraid it will just hurt too much. It may just be a volume issue- It may be that there are additional programs available we can layer in to help with this. I don't know. My audiologist and I will just have to do more research and practice.
At some point, I promise I will get into all the neatness that is the cool technology of the Roger pen... For now though- I continue on my learning journey.
First of all, let me say that apparently I am an unusual case when it comes to being able to distinguish speech so early on with my implant. While the background static is making me somewhat irritable, most people hear ONLY that fuzz for the first couple of weeks. (And for the record, I'm listening to what is apparently my front loading washing machine go through its spin cycle at the moment... it sounds like white static...whee!) My audiologist assures me the static will back off eventually and that she is pretty amazed with my ability to hear with the implant so early. We did an aided hearing test to see what I am getting and how we need to adjust things.
After doing the aided hearing test in the nice little sound proof box, we went in and hooked me up to a computer where my doctor ran some more beeping tests and adjusted how loud or soft various frequency bands are like an electronic equalizer or soundboard. Then, we got into the "other stuff" category of programming.
We added a program called "clear voice" as well as a program that softens sudden loud noises. Another program added is one that helps to dampen background noise in places like the car and restaurants. We talked about a few more, like echo block which I told her I would consider if I needed it regularly and my gratefulness for the wind-block program which helps dampen the sound of wind blowing past my microphones.
Next we put the roger receiver onto my battery (you need a specific type of battery to add the roger receiver shoe to your processor) and turned on the roger pen. With this I can stream calls from my phone via bluetooth. I've tried it once or twice and had utter fail. I cannot yet use this feature to distinguish clear language from an unknown person. I had to give up and have my husband call my doctor back to reschedule my appointment. Grr.
The other thing this neat piece of very smart technology can do is plug into my phone or iPod and stream music to me. This was also a total fail. It worked- but the signal was so fuzzy the music was indistinguishable. My audiologist assures me it WILL get better with practice- but I was so disappointed, I nearly sat there and cried. Why, oh why if I can hear and distinguish music from my car stereo, why can't I hear it directly streamed to me?! I'm still not sure of the answer and I haven't tried since to use it. I'm afraid it will just hurt too much. It may just be a volume issue- It may be that there are additional programs available we can layer in to help with this. I don't know. My audiologist and I will just have to do more research and practice.
At some point, I promise I will get into all the neatness that is the cool technology of the Roger pen... For now though- I continue on my learning journey.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Basic Tech part 1- The dehumidifier
As before, I mentioned that my processor came with lots of do-dads and thing-a-majigs. I've not really gotten into anything other than bare basics. Chargers, batteries, drying machine.
I live in Florida and as the state is basically a giant sand-bar with a swamp in the middle- it's humid. In the Society for Creative Anachronism (sca.org), which I am a part of- the joke is that Trimarans (folk from Florida) have gills. Hearing aids, unfortunately do not have gills. The de-humidifying of hearing aids is absolutely essential here in Florida. Up until recently, I used a dry-aid box to place my aids in nightly. Within the plastic jar, there was a container with silica beads that soak up moisture and help to keep your small electronics dry and functioning. I used this religiously- even with my waterproof Siemens Aquaris aids. This was a handy thing because it also gave me a water-tight (and cat-proof) container to keep my aids in over night or while camping.With my new processor, I got an upgrade!
As shown below, I Received a Zephyr Dry and Store dehumidifier with my processor:
This uses a combination of a desiccant- Dry Brik II and electronic warm-air movement to take humidity out of small hearing instruments. It works on an 8-hour cycle. It is also cat-proof!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Week one- first week impressions
Well I've been officially turned on for a week! I've discovered some good points, and some not so great points that I hope will be improved when my programming happens later this week.
I have very much enjoyed the quality of sound- the static is still there, however greatly reduced. This is something that I hope programming will eventually get rid of. Quiet environments are now mostly quiet instead of staticky most of the time, but even as I sit in my house typing this there is background static to the world and not clear sounds. Most voices, including my own, have a slight static to them. As of right this moment, the only programs in my processor are 3 steps of louder which I haven't used much. I find the louder I make things, the more static I get.
In General:
I am understanding most people in a quiet environment with a little extra work on my part. My husband being the exception. He's had a sore throat the last two weeks and is just now finally recovering and his voice is difficult to understand. He has a habit of talking to me while facing the other direction. I'd like to throw a shoe at him at least a few time's a day...*aggravated sigh*
I have found that the background-damping "learning listening environments" software to be absolutely fabulous everywhere but in a car! In restaurants I've had wonderful access to my husband's voice without background noise interference. Even Disney was very pleasant. Holding a conversation in a moving car is tough.
On Music:
I love music- It's aways been a focus in my life and I want to be able to enjoy the full spectrum of it as much as possible. I've been slowly losing that over the last 13 years and this has been one of my biggest personal adaptation issues as my hearing loss progresses. I have found that acquiring new music is even more difficult for me now than ever as within the last year my ability to understand speech has declined drastically. I went from understanding 80% of speech sounds to understanding 28% of speech sounds in one year. Thats in my better ear. I have bought exactly zero new music in the last several years. I have re-acquired a few old, lost albums from obscure artists I enjoyed in my youth, but gotten nothing NEW. Understanding music requires that I listen while studying lyrics until I learn the pattern. I have also discovered I can no longer listen to instrumental music most of the time because I can no longer hear most of it.
Listening to music is by turns awesome and frustrating right now. I expect that this, too will be improved with programming. Right now I can listen to music as usual in my car where I can crank it and no one else cares if I sing on-key or not. Less compression in programming has made it so I'm not so off key anymore and songs don't randomly change keys mid-line anymore. There's still a lot of static- especially with rock music. I am still getting a lot more bass than anything else. I can mostly hear vocals as long as I don't sing along. Singing along produces even more static, and I can't hear myself singing along with the music- because static. I am looking forward to programming that should help with these issues.
What's Next:
I will go in later this week and they will begin programming my processor with all the fun bits that come along side with such a great piece of technology. I am really looking forward to becoming a more advanced user of this tech. As I go I will be posting more about the technology itself and how it works as well as how it works for me personally.
For now, I am off to do homework! Yes, school is out for my students, but I must still take classes required by my district for my "intent to earn" as well as study for my professional educator test and for the re-take of the math sub-test of the General Knowledge exam. I am also a graduate student and need to sign up for my Fall semester classes! I DID mention I'm nuts, right?
I have very much enjoyed the quality of sound- the static is still there, however greatly reduced. This is something that I hope programming will eventually get rid of. Quiet environments are now mostly quiet instead of staticky most of the time, but even as I sit in my house typing this there is background static to the world and not clear sounds. Most voices, including my own, have a slight static to them. As of right this moment, the only programs in my processor are 3 steps of louder which I haven't used much. I find the louder I make things, the more static I get.
In General:
I am understanding most people in a quiet environment with a little extra work on my part. My husband being the exception. He's had a sore throat the last two weeks and is just now finally recovering and his voice is difficult to understand. He has a habit of talking to me while facing the other direction. I'd like to throw a shoe at him at least a few time's a day...*aggravated sigh*
I have found that the background-damping "learning listening environments" software to be absolutely fabulous everywhere but in a car! In restaurants I've had wonderful access to my husband's voice without background noise interference. Even Disney was very pleasant. Holding a conversation in a moving car is tough.
On Music:
I love music- It's aways been a focus in my life and I want to be able to enjoy the full spectrum of it as much as possible. I've been slowly losing that over the last 13 years and this has been one of my biggest personal adaptation issues as my hearing loss progresses. I have found that acquiring new music is even more difficult for me now than ever as within the last year my ability to understand speech has declined drastically. I went from understanding 80% of speech sounds to understanding 28% of speech sounds in one year. Thats in my better ear. I have bought exactly zero new music in the last several years. I have re-acquired a few old, lost albums from obscure artists I enjoyed in my youth, but gotten nothing NEW. Understanding music requires that I listen while studying lyrics until I learn the pattern. I have also discovered I can no longer listen to instrumental music most of the time because I can no longer hear most of it.
Listening to music is by turns awesome and frustrating right now. I expect that this, too will be improved with programming. Right now I can listen to music as usual in my car where I can crank it and no one else cares if I sing on-key or not. Less compression in programming has made it so I'm not so off key anymore and songs don't randomly change keys mid-line anymore. There's still a lot of static- especially with rock music. I am still getting a lot more bass than anything else. I can mostly hear vocals as long as I don't sing along. Singing along produces even more static, and I can't hear myself singing along with the music- because static. I am looking forward to programming that should help with these issues.
What's Next:
I will go in later this week and they will begin programming my processor with all the fun bits that come along side with such a great piece of technology. I am really looking forward to becoming a more advanced user of this tech. As I go I will be posting more about the technology itself and how it works as well as how it works for me personally.
For now, I am off to do homework! Yes, school is out for my students, but I must still take classes required by my district for my "intent to earn" as well as study for my professional educator test and for the re-take of the math sub-test of the General Knowledge exam. I am also a graduate student and need to sign up for my Fall semester classes! I DID mention I'm nuts, right?
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Turned On...
So today I went in and they turned on my implant!
First they put it on and plugged me in to a computer. They tested it to make sure it was working correctly. As I sat nervously waiting to find out what this would sound like, the assistant audiologist informed me that it was all working just fine. Then my audiologist came in and ran a few tests to the tune of an oncoming headache worth of beeps and clicks. Next, she had me indicate how comfortable a series of beeps were at various frequencies. Once that was done, she programmed 4 different sets of volume into my implant. Finally, she unplugged me from the computer, had me take off my left hearing aid, put in a battery and turned me loose!
I could hear her voice and that of my husband! At first there was almost nothing but static. It sounds like white noise static for those of us old enough to remember such a thing. The voices (including my own) sounded like I was listening to a lousy audio tape recording of them- but they were distinguishable. Between the sound I was receiving and a lot of lip-riding, I was good to go!
I was advised not to wear my left hearing aid at all unless absolutely necessary so that I could get used to using the cochlear implant and deriving meaningful sound from it. She was very impressed that I was able to distinguish and understand voices fairly clearly at the very beginning. She even tested me with a screen in front of her face so I could not lip read the words she gave me to repeat.
Next was my appointment with the surgeon/doctor to follow up on my surgery. As I've mentioned before, my doctor/surgeon is a great guy! He is very knowledgeable and skilled. He checked out my ear and spoke with me about the few nights of bleeding I had in my ear canal which I had contacted the center about earlier. Apparently I have a hole in my eardrum. While he hasn't had a patient with this issue before- its not unheard of. Due to my tympanic membrane (eardrum) being weak from many years of repeated tubes being put in them and having burst at least once as an adult back in 2008 it was very thin. He put a patch on it to help it heal over and discussed this with me. It was painful, to say the least, and the glue he put in to hold the paper patch in place made me shudder with ickiness, but we hope that it will heal up on its own. I am to keep the ear dry for now and check in at a later time. If the hole does not heal up on its own for some reason, there are a few different ways we can fix it. We'll deal with that if necessary down the road. And so I must go buy those icky wax earplugs again that I so detested as a child. My hair always ends up with wax in it. Such a professional look! *laugh*
As the day went on, I developed a nasty headache for which I had to take my migraine medication to prevent a serious migraine developing. It did the trick and between that and the ibuprofen, I got rid of the headache within the hour. YAY! Lunch also helped.
I have discovered the minor downside to having a surgeon who leaves my head of hair untouched for this operation- I have so much hair that they had to put a stronger magnet in... twice, to get the headpiece to stick to my head! Oh, well. I'm not gonna cry over it THAT'S for sure! It may, however make it difficult to put my hair up. Also, having no feeling in the tip of my ear means I need a mirror to get my processor hung on my ear correctly. The doctor says that this will remedy itself and feeling will eventually return to my earlobe.
I love the T-mic on the processor. If you're unfamiliar with the technology, you can go to advanced bionics.com and look at the Naida CI. It's a little mic that hangs down in front of my ear canal and catches sound as the ear would- naturally. I think it's a brilliant idea! Why has no one ever thought of this before?!
Normal, BTE (Behind The Ear) hearing aids use microphones on the aid itself positioned close to the ear hook, and further down (for front/back sound). And while they're effective, they aren't anywhere near as effective as the natural formation of the ear at catching and channelling sound. I look forward to the benefits that this can give me and as I discover them, I'll definitely share!
So now I've had my implant on for 3 hours and it's adapting nicely! (or maybe I am?) I'm still getting lots of static- background noises tend to just be static right now. Everything sounds a bit fish-bowl-y at the moment, but I'm sure I'll adjust. I can hear my keyboard clicking, and oh my the AC unit outside my window is OBNOXIOUS!! All-in-all, though the programming in the processor seems to be working well and recognizing sounds as background sounds and giving them less priority in amplifying them. The car ride home was trying my patience and the music from the radio was mostly just music, no lyrics but then how do I know if it even had lyrics? *laugh* I usually listen to music on my iPod through my car stereo on my morning commute. I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow.
I am looking forward to next week when I will go back in and have programs put in for my roger system and all the fun bits! Did I mention how many bits and pieces there are?! OH MY GOSH! They sent me home with a box full of stuff so big that it barely fit into the backpack they gave me to carry it all in! And just so you know... there's a ton of stuff inside that box, too. I'll get into each piece and part in later posts as I use it.
Side Rant: Ok and seriously, how many pockets does a backpack need?! I'll admit that I haven't bought a backpack in MANY years, but holy moly! No wonder it takes the school deputy 20 minutes to search a backpack these days. They add pockets and hide-holes for everything, and yet continually tell us how bad these things are for our kids' backs. I don't get it. End Rant.
Any how, So I have a charger that will charge up to 4 batteries at a time, 3 batteries (2 pictured, one on my head), an electronic drying box and stuff that goes in it (thats those yellow thingies), a case for my extra processor, 2 extra head pieces with a pretty ruby red cover, an extra cord, and as I ordered a set of waterproof exterior pieces, those as well. They can be used out of water if necessary, but the waterproof box for the processor is something I will have to purchase separately- and at a steep price. Also as part of my package, I got a roger receiver and roger pen. I'll get into what all these pieces are for and how they work later because basically, I can't use any of it yet. This week is "learn to hear on the thing" week.
I have learned that it's difficult to put the headpiece on with my hair up in a ponytail- I assume this is because a) I have no idea where the magnet in my head is, and b) I have a ton of hair. I'll let you know how my skill in this area goes as well. It only took me about 2 months to figure out how to put a contact in the only eye I could see out of (ergo, without a mirror to help me aim). Once I figured it out, it was like riding a bike- you never forget how. Hopefully it will take me less time to master the processor/headpiece putting-on-ing!
(And bonus: I learned how to edit photos on my Mac... hahaha!)
First they put it on and plugged me in to a computer. They tested it to make sure it was working correctly. As I sat nervously waiting to find out what this would sound like, the assistant audiologist informed me that it was all working just fine. Then my audiologist came in and ran a few tests to the tune of an oncoming headache worth of beeps and clicks. Next, she had me indicate how comfortable a series of beeps were at various frequencies. Once that was done, she programmed 4 different sets of volume into my implant. Finally, she unplugged me from the computer, had me take off my left hearing aid, put in a battery and turned me loose!
I could hear her voice and that of my husband! At first there was almost nothing but static. It sounds like white noise static for those of us old enough to remember such a thing. The voices (including my own) sounded like I was listening to a lousy audio tape recording of them- but they were distinguishable. Between the sound I was receiving and a lot of lip-riding, I was good to go!
I was advised not to wear my left hearing aid at all unless absolutely necessary so that I could get used to using the cochlear implant and deriving meaningful sound from it. She was very impressed that I was able to distinguish and understand voices fairly clearly at the very beginning. She even tested me with a screen in front of her face so I could not lip read the words she gave me to repeat.
Next was my appointment with the surgeon/doctor to follow up on my surgery. As I've mentioned before, my doctor/surgeon is a great guy! He is very knowledgeable and skilled. He checked out my ear and spoke with me about the few nights of bleeding I had in my ear canal which I had contacted the center about earlier. Apparently I have a hole in my eardrum. While he hasn't had a patient with this issue before- its not unheard of. Due to my tympanic membrane (eardrum) being weak from many years of repeated tubes being put in them and having burst at least once as an adult back in 2008 it was very thin. He put a patch on it to help it heal over and discussed this with me. It was painful, to say the least, and the glue he put in to hold the paper patch in place made me shudder with ickiness, but we hope that it will heal up on its own. I am to keep the ear dry for now and check in at a later time. If the hole does not heal up on its own for some reason, there are a few different ways we can fix it. We'll deal with that if necessary down the road. And so I must go buy those icky wax earplugs again that I so detested as a child. My hair always ends up with wax in it. Such a professional look! *laugh*
As the day went on, I developed a nasty headache for which I had to take my migraine medication to prevent a serious migraine developing. It did the trick and between that and the ibuprofen, I got rid of the headache within the hour. YAY! Lunch also helped.
I have discovered the minor downside to having a surgeon who leaves my head of hair untouched for this operation- I have so much hair that they had to put a stronger magnet in... twice, to get the headpiece to stick to my head! Oh, well. I'm not gonna cry over it THAT'S for sure! It may, however make it difficult to put my hair up. Also, having no feeling in the tip of my ear means I need a mirror to get my processor hung on my ear correctly. The doctor says that this will remedy itself and feeling will eventually return to my earlobe.
I love the T-mic on the processor. If you're unfamiliar with the technology, you can go to advanced bionics.com and look at the Naida CI. It's a little mic that hangs down in front of my ear canal and catches sound as the ear would- naturally. I think it's a brilliant idea! Why has no one ever thought of this before?!
So now I've had my implant on for 3 hours and it's adapting nicely! (or maybe I am?) I'm still getting lots of static- background noises tend to just be static right now. Everything sounds a bit fish-bowl-y at the moment, but I'm sure I'll adjust. I can hear my keyboard clicking, and oh my the AC unit outside my window is OBNOXIOUS!! All-in-all, though the programming in the processor seems to be working well and recognizing sounds as background sounds and giving them less priority in amplifying them. The car ride home was trying my patience and the music from the radio was mostly just music, no lyrics but then how do I know if it even had lyrics? *laugh* I usually listen to music on my iPod through my car stereo on my morning commute. I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow.
I am looking forward to next week when I will go back in and have programs put in for my roger system and all the fun bits! Did I mention how many bits and pieces there are?! OH MY GOSH! They sent me home with a box full of stuff so big that it barely fit into the backpack they gave me to carry it all in! And just so you know... there's a ton of stuff inside that box, too. I'll get into each piece and part in later posts as I use it.
Side Rant: Ok and seriously, how many pockets does a backpack need?! I'll admit that I haven't bought a backpack in MANY years, but holy moly! No wonder it takes the school deputy 20 minutes to search a backpack these days. They add pockets and hide-holes for everything, and yet continually tell us how bad these things are for our kids' backs. I don't get it. End Rant.
Any how, So I have a charger that will charge up to 4 batteries at a time, 3 batteries (2 pictured, one on my head), an electronic drying box and stuff that goes in it (thats those yellow thingies), a case for my extra processor, 2 extra head pieces with a pretty ruby red cover, an extra cord, and as I ordered a set of waterproof exterior pieces, those as well. They can be used out of water if necessary, but the waterproof box for the processor is something I will have to purchase separately- and at a steep price. Also as part of my package, I got a roger receiver and roger pen. I'll get into what all these pieces are for and how they work later because basically, I can't use any of it yet. This week is "learn to hear on the thing" week.
I have learned that it's difficult to put the headpiece on with my hair up in a ponytail- I assume this is because a) I have no idea where the magnet in my head is, and b) I have a ton of hair. I'll let you know how my skill in this area goes as well. It only took me about 2 months to figure out how to put a contact in the only eye I could see out of (ergo, without a mirror to help me aim). Once I figured it out, it was like riding a bike- you never forget how. Hopefully it will take me less time to master the processor/headpiece putting-on-ing!
(And bonus: I learned how to edit photos on my Mac... hahaha!)
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Recovery the rest of week 1
Well I guess I fell off the proverbial horse pretty quick. I totally failed to post the last half of week one. We went to visit the in-laws on the other side of the state and due to lack of wi-fi, I gave up. We had a wonderful weekend relaxing with my mother and father in-law on the east coast. I got to visit with friends close by that I rarely get to visit with and in general had a great time!
I'm still sleeping upright, and not in much pain. A little discomfort is about it. I have, however discovered that with my ear in its current state of repair is sensitive to weather changes and is a bit temperamental when it gets cloudy and dark. I've always been sensitive to weather changes and pressure systems so I suppose this is just an extension of the usual for me. Ibuprofen was as usual a workable cure.
I went back to teaching today. It went well and I daresay the doughnuts I brought in for my co-teacher and interpreters did not go amiss. My classroom still seems to be only vaguely air conditioned and about 5 minutes after my arrival I had already pulled my nicely styled hair up and was sweating to death. Welcome to working in the public schools.
My students seem fascinated with my progress in receiving my implant and are asking lots of questions and are curious to see my stitches. I happily oblige them because several of them have implants themselves but received them so young (average age of 2 yrs old) that they don't remember getting them. Often Deaf and Hard of Hearing students need help in understanding their hearing loss and assistive technology as well as their accommodations afforded to them under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A self-advocacy goal often makes an appearance on their Individual Education Plan (IEP) that they will be able understand their hearing loss and assistive technology and explain it to a peer or adult. I have taken the time to share with my students the literature that my doctor gave me regarding the 3 major companies that produce cochlear implants here in the U.S. They all have excellent pictures of the ear, placement of implant and of the implant and processors they make. I have students with all three types of implants. They often do not understand what is in their head and how it works. I am sharing this journey with my students in order to help them better understand the technology they and their friends use. It is important to understand the benefits gained from and limits of the assistive technology that they use.
I'm still sleeping upright, and not in much pain. A little discomfort is about it. I have, however discovered that with my ear in its current state of repair is sensitive to weather changes and is a bit temperamental when it gets cloudy and dark. I've always been sensitive to weather changes and pressure systems so I suppose this is just an extension of the usual for me. Ibuprofen was as usual a workable cure.
I went back to teaching today. It went well and I daresay the doughnuts I brought in for my co-teacher and interpreters did not go amiss. My classroom still seems to be only vaguely air conditioned and about 5 minutes after my arrival I had already pulled my nicely styled hair up and was sweating to death. Welcome to working in the public schools.
My students seem fascinated with my progress in receiving my implant and are asking lots of questions and are curious to see my stitches. I happily oblige them because several of them have implants themselves but received them so young (average age of 2 yrs old) that they don't remember getting them. Often Deaf and Hard of Hearing students need help in understanding their hearing loss and assistive technology as well as their accommodations afforded to them under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A self-advocacy goal often makes an appearance on their Individual Education Plan (IEP) that they will be able understand their hearing loss and assistive technology and explain it to a peer or adult. I have taken the time to share with my students the literature that my doctor gave me regarding the 3 major companies that produce cochlear implants here in the U.S. They all have excellent pictures of the ear, placement of implant and of the implant and processors they make. I have students with all three types of implants. They often do not understand what is in their head and how it works. I am sharing this journey with my students in order to help them better understand the technology they and their friends use. It is important to understand the benefits gained from and limits of the assistive technology that they use.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Recovery Day 3
Ahhh how glorious it feels to have clean hair!! Don't get me wrong, the Doc did a spectacular job and didn't harm a hair on my head- but there's goo.... and hair stuck in weird positions due to said goo. Up until now I've only been allowed showers from the neck-down. Today I finally got to wash my hair.
Showering was a bit of a nuisance because we have a 3.5x3.5 ft. shower stall and no tub. The whole "no bending, lifting, pushing, scooting, etc." rule is not doable in a tiny shower stall with nowhere but the floor to store shampoo and such. I'll admit to bending the rule a bit. It's not like I can fall over in the shower- it's too small. I also had to stick a vaseline covered cotton ball in my ear to keep it dry. BLEH! It's a good thing I can't feel that ear or I'd be grossed out.
I haven't been sleeping wonderfully. I'm not sure if it's because I've chosen to sleep sitting up with a wedge pillow behind me for support, or because the meds have me all messed up. I'm in no pain. There is some mild discomfort- especially when sleeping. I can't sleep on the side they placed the implant on while it's still healing, obviously. My neck gets stiff often and I am waking up a lot.
Not to mention that every time I wake up, my derpy cat thinks it's time to get up and have a can! I've mentioned to him several times that I physically can't feed him (no bending restriction, remember?). He disagrees- profusely, with snuggles, and dough-making on my body parts, and loud purrs. Its obnoxious and I end up locking him out of the bedroom around 4:30AM. He then howls at the door all morning. I'm Deaf. I can't hear it. I sleep on in bliss while my husband listens to the cat howl. Being deaf has it's advantages.
It being Memorial Day weekend and all, my husband has decided we should go up and visit his family on the other side of the state. We'll also be visiting with other friends and chosen family while up there. I think he's secretly just trying to keep me out of my parent's newly refinished and now heated swimming pool. They live a few blocks away. I think I even own a bathing suit- somewhere. I only live in Florida.
Showering was a bit of a nuisance because we have a 3.5x3.5 ft. shower stall and no tub. The whole "no bending, lifting, pushing, scooting, etc." rule is not doable in a tiny shower stall with nowhere but the floor to store shampoo and such. I'll admit to bending the rule a bit. It's not like I can fall over in the shower- it's too small. I also had to stick a vaseline covered cotton ball in my ear to keep it dry. BLEH! It's a good thing I can't feel that ear or I'd be grossed out.
I haven't been sleeping wonderfully. I'm not sure if it's because I've chosen to sleep sitting up with a wedge pillow behind me for support, or because the meds have me all messed up. I'm in no pain. There is some mild discomfort- especially when sleeping. I can't sleep on the side they placed the implant on while it's still healing, obviously. My neck gets stiff often and I am waking up a lot.
Not to mention that every time I wake up, my derpy cat thinks it's time to get up and have a can! I've mentioned to him several times that I physically can't feed him (no bending restriction, remember?). He disagrees- profusely, with snuggles, and dough-making on my body parts, and loud purrs. Its obnoxious and I end up locking him out of the bedroom around 4:30AM. He then howls at the door all morning. I'm Deaf. I can't hear it. I sleep on in bliss while my husband listens to the cat howl. Being deaf has it's advantages.
It being Memorial Day weekend and all, my husband has decided we should go up and visit his family on the other side of the state. We'll also be visiting with other friends and chosen family while up there. I think he's secretly just trying to keep me out of my parent's newly refinished and now heated swimming pool. They live a few blocks away. I think I even own a bathing suit- somewhere. I only live in Florida.
Recovery Day 2
Well by 5 AM I'd had it with the packing around my ear. I forced myself to wait until a reasonable hour (around 8AM) to take the thing off! First though, I put in my contact. Finally I can see again! Then, I promptly took all the stuff off my ear. I'll be nice and just say EEEEEMWWWW.. and get on with it. It didn't hurt and I had my husband gently dab at the gore and goo with hydrogen peroxide per the instructions sent home with me from the hospital. My ear is full of blood and gore and I can't really do anything about it. I have to keep the inside of my ear dry. I'll admit I got nauseous and had to resort to the zofran they gave me. I quickly recovered. As a side note- The doctor said I could take the packing off of my ear in 2 days- I am following instructions with enthusiasm!
I can't feel my ear. It's numb. I have mild tension on that side, I assume from the stitches which I am informed are tiny and right against the base of my ear- totally unnoticeable and probably also from having a small magnet and hard drive now inside my skin on that side. I don't have a hand-mirror ( I know, what kind of girl am I?!) so I have no idea what any of this looks like. We applied the topical solution as instructed to my stitches and I was able to very gently run a brush through my hair so I don't look like a scary beast. I'm still wearing boat-necked shirts and soft, comfy clothes due to my "resting" status.
I got online to check my school email and keep up with happenings to find that the soon to be retired IT guy is re-imaging all of the school computers this Friday and I needed to save all of my files. So my wonderful husband drove me into school so I could save all of my files on a flash drive. I saw my students who, of course, all wanted to see the wound. I teach middle school. I also received a plethora of adorably misspelled "get well" cards from all of my students.
I came home and took a half-nap. It doesn't count as a whole nap when you wake up every 5 minutes from the cat climbing on you. *SIGH*
I can't feel my ear. It's numb. I have mild tension on that side, I assume from the stitches which I am informed are tiny and right against the base of my ear- totally unnoticeable and probably also from having a small magnet and hard drive now inside my skin on that side. I don't have a hand-mirror ( I know, what kind of girl am I?!) so I have no idea what any of this looks like. We applied the topical solution as instructed to my stitches and I was able to very gently run a brush through my hair so I don't look like a scary beast. I'm still wearing boat-necked shirts and soft, comfy clothes due to my "resting" status.
I got online to check my school email and keep up with happenings to find that the soon to be retired IT guy is re-imaging all of the school computers this Friday and I needed to save all of my files. So my wonderful husband drove me into school so I could save all of my files on a flash drive. I saw my students who, of course, all wanted to see the wound. I teach middle school. I also received a plethora of adorably misspelled "get well" cards from all of my students.
I came home and took a half-nap. It doesn't count as a whole nap when you wake up every 5 minutes from the cat climbing on you. *SIGH*
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Recovery Day 1
Day 1 of recovery: Still no pain- no meds are necessary. Very little dizziness. All is going well. I'm up and about just fine and trying to remember I'm on restriction from bending, lifting, pushing, anythinging!! I also still can't see. The being blind is getting aggravating.
I get creative and pop a lens out of an old pair of glasses so I can at least see when I HAVE to. I look like a total idiot, but oh well.
I snooze off and on throughout the day and decide to start this blog. I hunt down a list of free blog sites and pick one. I've got my 21 inch Mac screen 4 inches from my nose and zoomed all the way in. I can still barely follow what I'm typing and can't see the keys on the keyboard. *SIGH*
I'm still trying to figure out this blog-thing. I get the typing part. I can do that. I still don't know how to give people the link, or how to "set it up" so it looks like something. I'm not sure if it's because I just know nothing about blogging or whether this is somewhat medication induced fuzziness. I decide to deal with it later. Get the beginning parts down before I forget. Got it. Done...
I get creative and pop a lens out of an old pair of glasses so I can at least see when I HAVE to. I look like a total idiot, but oh well.
I snooze off and on throughout the day and decide to start this blog. I hunt down a list of free blog sites and pick one. I've got my 21 inch Mac screen 4 inches from my nose and zoomed all the way in. I can still barely follow what I'm typing and can't see the keys on the keyboard. *SIGH*
I'm still trying to figure out this blog-thing. I get the typing part. I can do that. I still don't know how to give people the link, or how to "set it up" so it looks like something. I'm not sure if it's because I just know nothing about blogging or whether this is somewhat medication induced fuzziness. I decide to deal with it later. Get the beginning parts down before I forget. Got it. Done...
Surgery Day
So it's the day of my surgery. I am both anxious and not. I am in a hurry to get this over with because I haven't eaten since the night before. I am coffee-less, which is dangerous to those around me. I am food-less which means I am also grumpy. I am beyond incensed when I arrive and they ask for a urine sample but I haven't been allowed any fluids since midnight the night before. REALLY?! I ask... I eventually get over it.
They take me in and dress me in my fairly dignified gown (six sizes too big, of course). I sit in the bed and wait. They come in and poke me pointlessly for 10 minutes before they stick me with a needle and can't find a vein where they want to put it and finally give up and put the IV needle in my elbow. All is well. They give me my meds and cart me off. I'm out within 5 minutes.
I wake up and say hi- and go back to sleep. I wake up a few more times and eventually get something to drink- iced apple juice of the GODS!! I happily slurp it down and stay awake long enough to be discharged. I'm not too dizzy. No pain. My husband informs me that the doc told him all went well, and showed him pictures. He was not so thrilled to see those. They're a little gruesome, but hey, who doesn't like to have pictures of the surgery they just had, right? Oh well.
So we run through KFC on the way home and I happily gobble down food. We get home and I take a nap sitting up. Still no pain, minimal dizziness. YAY!
My mom has left me buttercream iced cupcakes on the table.
I rest up and text friends and family that all is well, with my iPhone 2 inches from my face. I can't put in contacts until two days later after the anti-tearing meds they gave me during surgery wear off.
They take me in and dress me in my fairly dignified gown (six sizes too big, of course). I sit in the bed and wait. They come in and poke me pointlessly for 10 minutes before they stick me with a needle and can't find a vein where they want to put it and finally give up and put the IV needle in my elbow. All is well. They give me my meds and cart me off. I'm out within 5 minutes.
I wake up and say hi- and go back to sleep. I wake up a few more times and eventually get something to drink- iced apple juice of the GODS!! I happily slurp it down and stay awake long enough to be discharged. I'm not too dizzy. No pain. My husband informs me that the doc told him all went well, and showed him pictures. He was not so thrilled to see those. They're a little gruesome, but hey, who doesn't like to have pictures of the surgery they just had, right? Oh well.
So we run through KFC on the way home and I happily gobble down food. We get home and I take a nap sitting up. Still no pain, minimal dizziness. YAY!
My mom has left me buttercream iced cupcakes on the table.
I rest up and text friends and family that all is well, with my iPhone 2 inches from my face. I can't put in contacts until two days later after the anti-tearing meds they gave me during surgery wear off.
Considering the risks
So there are some risks to having a cochlear implant surgery done...
Most of those risks are minor- but must be considered carefully. There is a small risk of meningitis. After all, they are drilling a small hole into the skull to fish that electrode through. That risk is minimized by a few vaccines you are required to get before surgery. Then there's the partial facial paralysis that can happen if the wrong nerves are fussed with. Again- this doesn't happen very often anymore as surgeons are practiced at placing the implant very precisely. Then comes the more annoying than serious side effect of having a metallic taste in your mouth for a while after the surgery because of a nerve they often get close to during placement. Also bouts of dizziness for up to 6 months after surgery. This is not a comprehensive list of side effects. This is what I remember off the top of my head; But it should be made clear that there ARE possible side effects that are very serious in nature. It is important to weigh these carefully against benefits. For myself- I decided that it was worth it.
So after all the tests and requirements, weighing in of risks vs. benefits- I decided to go for it. I set up a time and within a month, had a surgery date of May 23rd. Wow, I thought...This is really happening!
I Anxiously awaited the date when I would go in for my pre-operation check-in. I spoke with my doctor/surgeon, picked out all of my equipment and spoke with my audiologist. I picked up all of my prescriptions that I would need afterwards. I had them schedule a post-op. ASL interpreter so I could get directions from nurses and doctors. Being Deaf, and mostly blind (my eye sight is awful) and not being able to hang glasses off my ears nor wear contacts due to having surgery, made it so I needed to be able to see the directions given to me by a human being who could get up close enough for me to see! THAT was an adventure. Everything was ready to go.
Most of those risks are minor- but must be considered carefully. There is a small risk of meningitis. After all, they are drilling a small hole into the skull to fish that electrode through. That risk is minimized by a few vaccines you are required to get before surgery. Then there's the partial facial paralysis that can happen if the wrong nerves are fussed with. Again- this doesn't happen very often anymore as surgeons are practiced at placing the implant very precisely. Then comes the more annoying than serious side effect of having a metallic taste in your mouth for a while after the surgery because of a nerve they often get close to during placement. Also bouts of dizziness for up to 6 months after surgery. This is not a comprehensive list of side effects. This is what I remember off the top of my head; But it should be made clear that there ARE possible side effects that are very serious in nature. It is important to weigh these carefully against benefits. For myself- I decided that it was worth it.
So after all the tests and requirements, weighing in of risks vs. benefits- I decided to go for it. I set up a time and within a month, had a surgery date of May 23rd. Wow, I thought...This is really happening!
I Anxiously awaited the date when I would go in for my pre-operation check-in. I spoke with my doctor/surgeon, picked out all of my equipment and spoke with my audiologist. I picked up all of my prescriptions that I would need afterwards. I had them schedule a post-op. ASL interpreter so I could get directions from nurses and doctors. Being Deaf, and mostly blind (my eye sight is awful) and not being able to hang glasses off my ears nor wear contacts due to having surgery, made it so I needed to be able to see the directions given to me by a human being who could get up close enough for me to see! THAT was an adventure. Everything was ready to go.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
First Steps
So I got in contact with my local clinic to begin my evaluation for candidacy. You see, you have to meet certain criteria to receive a cochlear implant. You have to have a hearing loss of a certain degree, and have no barriers to surgery and implantation. The rules are somewhat in flux as to what constitutes the degree of hearing loss needed. The FDA's requirements are far more broad than the insurance company's requirements. Age is also a factor. Implants may be given as young as 12 months old. Don't assume that you will or will not be found a candidate until you go through the screening process. You also must be found to gain no serious benefit from hearing aids- a far less invasive way of helping one to hear better.
Let me be clear- hearing aids and cochlear implants do not "correct" hearing loss. These are not like glasses that restore vision to 20/20. Hearing aids simply make sounds louder. ALL sounds. They have some damping effect on sudden loud noises and some compression in them which will electronically move sounds that are in an area of loss to areas where one can hear. This is not making their hearing better- but rather mitigating the loss by making sounds around the person louder so they are MORE ABLE to hear those sounds. Cochlear Implants bypass the ear by using a processor to "hear" and transmit sound electronically to an electrode placed in the cochlea of one's ear which then sends that signal directly to the auditory nerve. This changes the sound from what a hearing person naturally hears to a more computerized sound. I'll let you know what this sounds like when I get mine up and going!
Sadly, it must be mentioned that implants are more likely to be covered by insurance companies than hearing aids. I am lucky and my husband's insurance covers both- to a degree. My previous hearing aids were waterproof and being sufficiently advanced, cost around $3,000 each. Our insurance only covered a portion of that- the rest had to be paid out of pocket. Many insurance companies do not cover any amount of hearing aids. This is often why new parents of young children born with hearing loss chose to go the route of an implant (around 100,000 for surgery and implant, not to mention processor)- because insurance covers it (sometimes). I do not recommend making the decision to have one's child implanted solely based on what insurance will pay for. Lets face it- Insurance companies aren't there for your benefit or they would never make a profit. If you are looking at options for your child, please consult a variety of professionals and look at the wide spectrum of options available to your family. If any professional tells you in absolute terms that "this" (any "this") is the only way.... then walk away. There is no "only way." Do what is right for your child and for your family.
Ok, soap box talk complete! On with the show!
I went in for candidacy evaluation and spoke with a number of professionals. I went through a series of hearing tests with and without my aids in to determine my degree of hearing loss and how much benefit I was getting from my aids. I am a borderline candidate. I JUST fit into the numbers the insurance company dictates a candidate for an implant must match. (These numbers are far more restrictive than the FDA's requirements.) I went through an additional set of tests to check my balance, eye coordination and auditory nerves. I went through a set of MRIs to determine that there were no obstructions, malformations, etc. preventing the implant from being successful. At this point, I became a candidate for an implant!
Next would be my appointment with the implanting surgeon to talk more in depth about the implications and risks involved in having the surgery done.
Let me be clear- hearing aids and cochlear implants do not "correct" hearing loss. These are not like glasses that restore vision to 20/20. Hearing aids simply make sounds louder. ALL sounds. They have some damping effect on sudden loud noises and some compression in them which will electronically move sounds that are in an area of loss to areas where one can hear. This is not making their hearing better- but rather mitigating the loss by making sounds around the person louder so they are MORE ABLE to hear those sounds. Cochlear Implants bypass the ear by using a processor to "hear" and transmit sound electronically to an electrode placed in the cochlea of one's ear which then sends that signal directly to the auditory nerve. This changes the sound from what a hearing person naturally hears to a more computerized sound. I'll let you know what this sounds like when I get mine up and going!
Sadly, it must be mentioned that implants are more likely to be covered by insurance companies than hearing aids. I am lucky and my husband's insurance covers both- to a degree. My previous hearing aids were waterproof and being sufficiently advanced, cost around $3,000 each. Our insurance only covered a portion of that- the rest had to be paid out of pocket. Many insurance companies do not cover any amount of hearing aids. This is often why new parents of young children born with hearing loss chose to go the route of an implant (around 100,000 for surgery and implant, not to mention processor)- because insurance covers it (sometimes). I do not recommend making the decision to have one's child implanted solely based on what insurance will pay for. Lets face it- Insurance companies aren't there for your benefit or they would never make a profit. If you are looking at options for your child, please consult a variety of professionals and look at the wide spectrum of options available to your family. If any professional tells you in absolute terms that "this" (any "this") is the only way.... then walk away. There is no "only way." Do what is right for your child and for your family.
Ok, soap box talk complete! On with the show!
I went in for candidacy evaluation and spoke with a number of professionals. I went through a series of hearing tests with and without my aids in to determine my degree of hearing loss and how much benefit I was getting from my aids. I am a borderline candidate. I JUST fit into the numbers the insurance company dictates a candidate for an implant must match. (These numbers are far more restrictive than the FDA's requirements.) I went through an additional set of tests to check my balance, eye coordination and auditory nerves. I went through a set of MRIs to determine that there were no obstructions, malformations, etc. preventing the implant from being successful. At this point, I became a candidate for an implant!
Next would be my appointment with the implanting surgeon to talk more in depth about the implications and risks involved in having the surgery done.
Introducing me....
Welcome to my cochlear journey! This blog is a journal of my journey towards receiving and using a cochlear implant. It is my hope that what I write here will help others who are considering or going through this process to better understand it.
Some history- I am a 35 year old female with a progressive, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that started becoming noticeable at the age of 23. I grew up as any hearing child would. I suffered numerous inner ear infections as a child and had tubes put into my ears constantly for about 11 years. Thankfully, I outgrew the ear infections and only got about one a year as a young adult until my family moved to Florida when I was in high school. My hearing loss is of unknown cause and so we have no map for how much worse it will get or how fast it will decline. In 13 years I went from borderline normal/mild hearing loss to profound in my right ear and severe in my left ear. Eventually, my audiologist recommended that I look into a cochlear implant if I wanted to try and preserve any of my hearing as aids would no longer be of much help to me.
I have always been a staunch supporter of the Deaf Community and Culture. I am fluent in ASL and absolutely support it as the best method of clear communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. I believe firmly that signed language is the natural language of the Deaf and that no child should EVER be denied access to language through signed means. If a child has a firm foundation in signed language, they have a firm foundation in language- necessary to acquiring a second language- to read and write in. I have a bachelors degree in Interpreting for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing in the educational setting. I did this for about 10 years after graduation and loved every minute of it! Unfortunately, my hearing loss got in the way of being able to provide quality interpreting services and I had to find another job. I've never been a huge supporter of Cochlear Implants. The very idea of trying to "fix" a Deaf person into a "hearing person" seemed just ridiculous. I always feared the technology wouldn't keep up with the times. What happens when the tech gets better but what's in someone's head is permanently unable to match the tech?
So why am I getting an implant- you ask?
Well, I'll admit that I was impressed by the forward- thinking of Advanced Bionics. I am now a Teacher of the Deaf and went to a workshop provided by my district where a representative for Advanced Bionics presented their line of products to the teachers whom are seeing more and more students with implants show up in our classrooms, but aren't always trained to work with them. The representative spoke not only about Advanced Bionics' partnership with Phonak- the leading brand of aids for children, but also about how the company is looking toward the future by placing additional hard drive space into their implants for future programming and capabilities. I was impressed. Finally a company that is looking at the fact of technological progress! Technology advances so fast these days that 3 days after you buy a new iPhone, something newer is already out there.
And so I began my research. I looked into all 3 brands of cochlear implants available in the U.S. - Advanced Bionics, Med-El and Cochlear Americas. I read research, looked at sites, asked around and met with representatives. I made my choices based on what I personally wanted out of this implant.
I got into contact with an Advanced Bionics representative- amazingly, the same woman who had presented at our conference. She was very helpful in getting me information and in contact with a local clinic that could evaluate me for candidacy.
My journey had begun!
Some history- I am a 35 year old female with a progressive, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that started becoming noticeable at the age of 23. I grew up as any hearing child would. I suffered numerous inner ear infections as a child and had tubes put into my ears constantly for about 11 years. Thankfully, I outgrew the ear infections and only got about one a year as a young adult until my family moved to Florida when I was in high school. My hearing loss is of unknown cause and so we have no map for how much worse it will get or how fast it will decline. In 13 years I went from borderline normal/mild hearing loss to profound in my right ear and severe in my left ear. Eventually, my audiologist recommended that I look into a cochlear implant if I wanted to try and preserve any of my hearing as aids would no longer be of much help to me.
I have always been a staunch supporter of the Deaf Community and Culture. I am fluent in ASL and absolutely support it as the best method of clear communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. I believe firmly that signed language is the natural language of the Deaf and that no child should EVER be denied access to language through signed means. If a child has a firm foundation in signed language, they have a firm foundation in language- necessary to acquiring a second language- to read and write in. I have a bachelors degree in Interpreting for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing in the educational setting. I did this for about 10 years after graduation and loved every minute of it! Unfortunately, my hearing loss got in the way of being able to provide quality interpreting services and I had to find another job. I've never been a huge supporter of Cochlear Implants. The very idea of trying to "fix" a Deaf person into a "hearing person" seemed just ridiculous. I always feared the technology wouldn't keep up with the times. What happens when the tech gets better but what's in someone's head is permanently unable to match the tech?
So why am I getting an implant- you ask?
Well, I'll admit that I was impressed by the forward- thinking of Advanced Bionics. I am now a Teacher of the Deaf and went to a workshop provided by my district where a representative for Advanced Bionics presented their line of products to the teachers whom are seeing more and more students with implants show up in our classrooms, but aren't always trained to work with them. The representative spoke not only about Advanced Bionics' partnership with Phonak- the leading brand of aids for children, but also about how the company is looking toward the future by placing additional hard drive space into their implants for future programming and capabilities. I was impressed. Finally a company that is looking at the fact of technological progress! Technology advances so fast these days that 3 days after you buy a new iPhone, something newer is already out there.
And so I began my research. I looked into all 3 brands of cochlear implants available in the U.S. - Advanced Bionics, Med-El and Cochlear Americas. I read research, looked at sites, asked around and met with representatives. I made my choices based on what I personally wanted out of this implant.
I got into contact with an Advanced Bionics representative- amazingly, the same woman who had presented at our conference. She was very helpful in getting me information and in contact with a local clinic that could evaluate me for candidacy.
My journey had begun!
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