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Please stay safe everyone! Looking forward to our January GoogleMeet chat. Thanks for joining in our 2020 chats! @Jewel @Mary Featherston @Kylie @Dave in Pittsburgh @Joan @Megan L. @phobos512 @Valentin @Tracey_66 @Nischal Koirala @KittKatz @Nikki @Kirk S. @MallaRuth @tmscarlett10 @Marion nancy @Neil

EDITED on 11/18/2020 after learning that Rondo 3 battery life is now being stated as “over 18 hours” instead of “up to 24 hours”. This was disappointing. We also heard that a lot of streaming can reduce Rondo 3 battery life by 20%. I have spent a lot of time lately pondering which processor to choose as my next processor. I have decided on Rondo 3. Thank you to all of the happy Rondo 2 users for your posts. It really made me consider choosing the Rondo family. Many people who are fortunate to have both Sonnet 1 or 2 and Rondo 2 processors have commented about choosing to

I LOVE the AudioStream! Thank you to the Med-El engineers who designed AudioStream! @MED-EL Moderator Terrific audio quality and music sounds amazing! Phone calls take precedence and then we return automatically to whatever we were streaming. There are audible “thunk” sounds when it connects and switches. This is a fabulous connectivity device for Sonnet/Sonnet 2. I am using Power One implant disposable batteries. The slightly longer battery cover does not bother me.

Happy International Cochlear Implant Day!! I am so very grateful to Med-El for enhancing my life in ways I never dreamed possible, for making it possible for me to hear so much better in my 70s than I ever did even as a preschooler. I was born hearing but with some hearing loss. The loss was progressive. I finally began wearing hearing aids in my late teens (stubbornly refusing to do so until then) and by my late 30s could not hear at all without them. Over the next 30+ years, my hearing aids needed more and more power; however, my ability to understand what I was hearing continued to signifi

As we celebrate International Cochlear Implant Day, I find myself thinking back over my hearing journey. It has been a wild ride. I heard fine from birth until age 13. Then I started with a progressive bilateral conductive hearing loss, which made everything sound quieter and quieter. Next came a progressive mixed hearing loss, which had both a conductive loss making everything quieter and a sensorineural loss making everything distorted due to missing sounds. After that came a series of failed ear surgeries trying to repair the conductive component in my right ear which ultimately led to

This is an excellent description of what I heard after my first activation. I called them "the beepies" but it was also somewhat reminiscent of Minnie Mouse. I was glad when that went away! And it will, it's part of learning to hear when the input goes to your brain via electronics instead of an eardrum and a cochlea. My second activation wasn't quite as beepy but it wasn't normal voices either. It all works out in the end!

The best Christmas present of all times -- Rondo 3 was just delivered by FEDEX and I am unpacking it. Next week I have scheduled an appointment with audiologist, but for now, just looking at it and putting it altogether (#4 magnet) thrills me to no end. Finally no more batteries, stereo sound and double microphones. I will share with you my experiences as soon as I have the processor programmed. I must really tell you how great, helpful, courteous and efficient was the Medel staff. Thanks to all.

Within 6 months I could close my eyes and not miss too much, if I concentrated very hard, though it sounded very tinny and electronic. Now at 18 months it sounds way better, more like voices than robots, but still definitely an electronic sound overall. Don't need captions now, can listen to any audiobook etc.

Have safe and Happy Holiday HPs Crew!!! By the time I see everyone again the new year....I'll have a new ear and maybe even be activated depending on when we have our coffee chat!

Well I lost my hearing back in May 2019. It was due to the mumps which was sudden and very painful, I got high fever and ran to the hospital. The day I went to the hospital, I only had fever but no symptoms of hearing loss but the following day I found out I was hearing significantly less than the day before. I told that to my family and they said it may be temporary and you will be fine in a day or two but the other day my hearing was zero in my both ears. It was such a sudden thing. Then we visited sooooo many clinics,hospitas, doctors but there was no sign of getting my hearing back!

Yes I was fine, just had a big coffee on the way to work! Worth it to talk to everyone!!

Excellent November HP chat today! 10 members participated, including 3 first time chat participants! Great seeing you all @Dave in Pittsburgh @Tracey_66 @Kylie @Nischal Koirala so nice to meet you! @Joan @Nikki @tmscarlett10 so nice to meet you and we look forward to your activation in a couple of weeks! @Megan L. Keep us posted on your second surgery plan! @MallaRuth thank you for joining in! We had participants from Spain, Nepal, Australia, UK and US. Topics focused on connectivity options (music link silhouettes

Hi Everybody. Can’t quite see Mt. Fuji in this photo from Saturday, but it’s there in the distance. Nice sunset nonetheless, I think. Will send another once the peak is covered in snow. A classic. Cheers!

Hi Everyone, I'm back here I'm not sure where I've left off here, but I got implanted 2 years ago on my right side and it is awesome. I got implanted with Cochlear and not Medel tho, so I can't really speak about my experience with Medel. Anyway it's really good. Much better than any hearing aid I ever used. I am hearing very well, almost normally. Would say above 90% for speech. Sometimes I can even hear lyrics to songs I listen for the first time, and also TV shows without closed captioning. Cinemas are still a little difficult tho. Maybe it's the surrounding. As for whethe

Hi all, Just thought I would share with you my latest Episode that just went online. Hope you enjoy... Any questions feel free to ask away. Regards John

Do you know that feeling when you get a new speaker system or awesome headphones and you spend hours and hours jamming to music? That is me with the new AudioStream connectivity device for my cochlear implant processors! Loving AudioStream!!

Wow it's hard to know where to start... it's really changed my life and I can't believe you can't always get CI for SSD everywhere in the world because one ear is 'enough'. It's really not, if there is a choice of having 2. I can locate sound and orient to it. Useful for safety like crossing roads, and people calling me, and my kids creeping up from behind, and playing hide and seek, and being able to track objects that aren't in my vision. My sound booth testing for sound orientation went from 0 to perfect in 6 months and I really notice it in daily life. I can hear and understand

Good morning. My name is Bill. I was implanted on Feb 12 in Tucson. Activation will happen TODAY😊 with a Rondo 3 on the right side and my Costco Resound Preza HA on the left. I've been using HA's since the early 90's and my hearing gradually got worse to the point that my lack of speech recognition was unacceptable. Couldn't comfortably (or uncomfortably) participate in group conversations. One on one interactions were tough as well, especially with my wife. This forum has already made my CI journey less stressful. I will report back in a day or two after the activation today.

Hi all, I was implanted Nov 30th 2020, switched on Dec 15th. So much to learn, and even thought the journey to surgery was long, wow post switch on I am realizing the rehab journey may be even longer. I have a Live Production / Pro Audio background. when my journey began I regrettably couldn’t find you all, so began a VLOG documenting my own. if your interested here is the link and little snippets of my journey thus far. My Cochlear Journey VLOG video series Now post surgery I’m exhausted, a little devastated but incredibly determined. So many question

Sure! I will keep it brief, and if you want more details, I am happy to fill them in. I am Single-Sided Deaf. I lost all hearing in my right ear quite suddenly at the end September of 2017. I struggled for a while with various treatments - Injections into my ear, steroids... nothing worked. I wore CROS hearing aids for two years, but they didn't really help. In fact, they kind of made things worse. My ENT suggested I look into Cochlear Implantation, but it was not yet FDA approved. He had me trial BAHA.. not really better than CROS, and definitely not worth surgery for me. I

Thanks I'll be there! It will be lovely to start at 9pm for me, just a little more civilised LOL. Though I'd come anyway whatever the time - I do enjoy our chats so much.

@Mr-LJ and @Jared Charneythank you. I really appreciate the feedback a ton. Does help the journey and understanding of what is going on as well as having like people understand the journey too. Def hard to explain to "hearing" people what's happening, and I wished there was something for them to listen to, to be able to "hear" what we are going through. I look forward in seeing everyone on this platform, it will def make me a lot happier to know I made the right choice and have real humans to interact with

Sonja, there's such a great supporting network here, I was just activated in December and def. things are slow but I feel progress slowly in the right direction. I love that people like Mary Beth are so knowledgeable and sharing of time and it really makes a huge difference. I especially appreciated all the other insights I can get and not just rely on my audiologist etc.

I was due my microphone cover change in a couple of weeks too, so I did that as well. AND of course that meant I was due a decal change... so here it is today!

thanks Mary Beth for putting it all together, this morning was even more informative than I could have imagined and it was really nice meeting everyone!

@John R I watched your vlog - nicely produced and you speak like a pro announcer! I do hope you keep making the videos. A few particular things resounded with me from your content: the desperate hope that tinnitus would go away (mine is much reduced when I'm wearing my processor - is yours?) the hearing effort is exhausting when you are impaired, and is always underestimated hearing impairment can indeed be lonely and isolating from family/friends, but being honest with what you need from them is so helpful. I myself have also had so much support from my social

Direct..... yup direct....bilateral.....true stereo.....STREAMING for Sonnet 1 and Sonnet 2! I am sooooo excited! https://www.medel.com/hearing-solutions/accessories/connectivity/audiostream?fbclid=IwAR21qadWSv3tZmVt72AJ1k1VbIo7Dh1OHGHI4vs2t3SC4H3WB3pId9C5SJg

Hello HPs Crew 😁 Sending an update here. Hope everyone who celebrates had a wonderful Christmas 🎄🎅 Surgery went good on Monday, YAY. The anesthesiologist gave me a TON of anti nausea medicine and adjusted a few other things, so I felt pretty good after surgery. I did throw up 2x in recovery but just a little. This time has been a complete 180 from the first CI. But still taking it easy!! Activation is set for January 11 🦻 Maybe I’ll be switched on for our January coffee chat 🤓 wouldn’t that be fun?!

Hey all! Sorry I've been away for a while! I tried to log in several times, and it seemed like the website was down or something, it was really weird. Then I got busy lol, and forgot to try again. So, looking at these updates, @phobos512, so glad your therapy is going well; it seems that both your CIs are pretty in sync with one another. @Megan L., good luck on Monday! Just enjoy the weekend, and mentally prepare. ❤️ Also, welcome @Lynda!

@Mary Featherston Its crazy isn’t it?! I guess for so long it was a struggle to understand people let alone on the phone...and now every time a zoom meeting or a Teams phone call goes well and all is understood, it’s like, “WOW!” It amazes me every time 🦻😊

Yes. Hoping to make the January chat. Keep safe everyone.

Hey guys, I hope you're okay. Best wishes for the Christmas days. I hope to see you at the January meeting. Take care!

REMINDER Last virtual monthly chat for 2020 Sunday November 15 9:30 am New York time start time chat opens at 9:15 for socializing Google Meet with free live captioning All are welcome. Smile Reminder: There will not be a chat in December. We will start back up again in January. Invites will be sent on November 15 by 9:15. November’s chat includes: @Dave in Pittsburgh @Kirk S. @Tracey_66 @Mary Featherston @Kylie @Jewel @Mary Beth @Valentin @Nikki @Joan @Megan L.

Hi @PamR Sorry for the delayed response, haven't checked my notifications for a whole week while I was moving house! Anyway... I also became SSD suddenly, at age 38, following an ear infection. I also found it affected my orientation, not hearing people behind me (very off putting when surprised and hard for my kids who weren't heard unless they were face to face). And it affected my enjoyment of all noisy environments, which I started avoiding. I rescheduled all my catch ups to quiet coffees at home or at an outdoor cafe. Weddings and funerals were a hearing nightmare - too man

Just heard the rain 😀 although crackerly at the moment.

blah blah blah...

I went to the activation this afternoon and it went really well. The sound for the new side seems louder and more tinny than my old one but I understand that will improve. The plus is I am able to understand speech with just the new side. I am thrilled with that. Initially my Audi was going to keep the processor off the ear but the incision does not hurt at all so I am trying it on the ear for now. Thanks for all the well wishes. No to go through my new box of goodies.😀

I've been using Audiostream for just over a week and I can't believe the difference it makes. I don't think I've heard music this good since I was 15 ( a long time ago) and it's so much better for use with the phone.

@Kylie I smiled the whole time I read your post about real life benefits of your CI with SSD. I wish @MED-EL Moderator could make a video of you to share with people who are considering a CI for SSD. Thank you for sharing.

Hello MrsT7 and welcome to the group where I'm sure you'll get the best help and advice. It doe's take time to get used to the implant but if you keep positive and have patience things will become easier, you'll find that you wont even be thinking about it. 😃

If I don’t get snowed in ❄️🥶I’ll be there Dave

Merry Christmas everyone! Take care and stay safe. Looking forward to seeing everyone in the January Google meet.

@Lynda I’m getting mine done at Johns Hopkins in Maryland. Keep us posted 😊 and thank you for the luck 🍀 @Mary Beth Thank you!!!! Appreciate it! You know I will update you & the crew as soon as I can 🤩

Happy holidays, everyone!

Had first post activation follow-up today for my left and adjusted the right some as well. Also did some time in the booth. I feel like the word list today was a little less complex than that used for initial qualification, but it's still some kind of diagnostic tool and Dr. Rooney was pretty happy with the results. Ended up with 64% correct in my left ear and 88% correct in my right ear. Didn't do together. With the implant I'm clocking about a 25-30 dBHL in my left ear and a 20 dBHL in my right ear with tones.

Sorry to be late; a former employee of mine died last Tuesday and I've been unfocused. I'd second what Nikki said. Activation was the first indication that things were going to turn around. I'd lost the ability to hear in phone meetings. I didn't hear most of what was said in in-person meetings. I was withdrawing and avoiding talking to people. But on activation day I heard my audiologist speak. It wasn't clear and I could barely hear, but I hear her. My husband and I were both crying. I have since learned that Kirsten doesn't in fact sound like Minnie Mouse; she has a very ni

Mine is on Tuesday!

Thank you @Salik It may be awhile before I get Rondo 3. I prefer to wait until ASM 3 is available here in the US. It has been available in other countries ever since Sonnet 2 was released. I want to experience Rondo 3 the way it was designed to work optimally.... using ASM 3. Although Sonnet 2 also is designed to work with ASM 3, in the US it is using ASM 2 since ASM 3 has not been approved by the FDA yet. Rondo 3 release in the US is expected before the end of the year but it is being released using ASM 2. So I will wait until ASM 3 is released in the

Hi everyone. I just got done with my post surgical follow-up appointment. Everything is looking good. Stitches are about 75% dissolved my doctor told me. Plenty of fluid in my middle ear space, which I knew already, and should go away over the coming weeks. Activation two weeks from today. Dizziness is mostly gone aside from when I am lying in bed and I switch sides I can get a little bit. Never had any nausea, never needed to take so much as a Tylenol since the surgery. He told me the surgery was really easy, my anatomy made things very straightforward, and that bodes well for the other