Kylie

Just saying hi! Was lovely to meet you today.

Yesterday was probably the most intense listening day I have ever had.  After a full day of work, I participated in a large group meeting for over 6.5 hours.  Fourteen people.....many times there were multiple conversations happening at once....intense debates.  I never would’ve been able to participate equally before getting my CIs.  It is perfectly fine with me if I never put them to this kind of test again.  Smile.  But they did not let me down.  And I am thankful that my hearing no longer limits my ability to participate equally in groups.  Thank you Med-El!

@pdk Thank you Peter   I'll do more testing on upcoming days. Today I was late for work, because didn't want to get up as my tinnitus is almost non existent when I sleep.
Fortunately, after I wake up it was settled down to a level of static white noise. Still loud, but not louder like post-op and pre activation tinnitus. 
Today, I had a fairly strange, if not funny WOW moment. My co-worker was talking to me from behind. I used to figure out what he was saying when I had a pair of HA's on. Today I understood almost every single word he said clearly but my brain was still trying to guess what he was saying. Fun times. 

Hi everyone,
So after a long wait, my Rondo 2 finally activated on Monday  I've introduced myself on another topic but let me do that again. My name is Evren, I'm 35 and my implant is Synchrony ST /w flex28 electrode array. This is my first implant and I'm currently using hearing aid on my other ear which is slightly better (about 10%) than my implanted ear.
Wish I'd say I had an amazing activation but I unexpectedly  fainted after testing out the higher pitched sounds. I have to talk to my ENT about it on my next appt, but weird that, I've not read anywhere that something like that would happen, nor my audi encountered it before. 
My Rondo 2 didn't stay on my head so my audi switched to 4S magnet but still it fall down sometimes. Guess, I have to wait for the swelling to heal.
Fortunatetly, things only got better after first mapping is done. I scored 65% on my first speech discrimination test with Rondo 2, and it's up from 6% w/o hearing aid and 14% with hearing aid. 
The first sounds I heard were really funny. My audi clapped his hands and I was not expecting to hear pair of "beeps" instead of regular clapping sound. I think it will go more natural in time. 
At home, I've tried out some familiar tunes on Spotify. It's nowhere near perfect but I can hear vocals so that's something!
Day 2- I can understand my wife better even without the hearing aid. Being invaded with so many f, s, h letters help maintaining better speech perception I guess.
Sniffs and inhales  
Light switches, office equipment, peeing etc. sound fuller and richer than before. I didn't even know clothing make so much sound as well. 
In the afternoon, I was at my regular cafe and I heard the ambient music and made out the soft vocals in it. That's a new!
Day 3- Hello birds (lots of birds)  
I still have loud ringing post-op tinnitus (newly developed) on my ear, and Rondo 2 didn't help much to reduce it. Hopefully it will fade away in time and I will keep you updated  
 
 

@Kylie  He will need to come up with a new game!  You are bionic now!

This morning my 10 year old son tried to sneak up on me while I was getting dressed. It's a game he plays sometimes when I think he's still asleep. He even put socks on to dampen his foot steps. But I heard him and caught him first! It was so funny!! I never used to hear him with one working ear.

Hi,
New guy here,  just had my CI implant this morning - now at home relaxing. Bit of history, 62 years old, had severe hearing loss in right ear the day after memorial day 2018. Had the shots, no help. Had some dizziness also which eventually went away, got 2 hearing aids and was able to function mostly normal. Fast forward to March 14th 2019, took dog for a 2 hour run, when i got back to my truck, realized my left hearing aid was not working. Did the maintenance (wax build up) and no, I was deaf in my left ear. Went to ENT and my left (good ear) had a profound hearing loss. Again shots to no avail. Also some  dizziness, vertigo (less then 10 min) Various diagnoses from SSHL to Meniere's  and back again. In other words nothing conclusive.
So I studied online, read a lot, and visited here frequently and decided to move forward with the implant which I had today with no complications. 
October 14th is my activation day and am looking so forward to it. I have my hopes up since I've only been without hearing for less that a half year, but also know there is some hard work ahead. But I'm willing to put that in because I really dislike (nice word) not being including in the conversations and enjoying just being in the here and now.
I did have one question to the forum, two days after activation I am leaving town for a week, wasn't sure if for that first week or so you want to access to your audiologist. My thought is activate it, leave and work on rehab exclusively for a week  and then if have issues see the audiologist on my return. I guess worse case i turn it off till i get back.
 
Thanks for listening and any newbie advice will be appreciated
 
Dave

Most days I put on my CI processors when I wake up, give thanks for this gift of hearing and go about my day never thinking about my hearing.  Today I focused on my hearing.  Here are my WOW moments of today.
A conversation with a coworker as we were moving opposite directions on a staircase which continued even after he turned the corner to a different hallway.
Multitasking in high school English and Social Studies classes, which enabled me to work on writing review sheets while also listening to the class lecture and student comments without ever looking up.
Enjoying an audiobook while traveling between schools.
Jamming to music in the car even with the volume turned down.
Enjoying a movie at the theater and noticing how loudly popcorn crunches when the theater is quiet.
Enjoying the sounds of nature with the windows open.
It has been over 4 years since these Med-El CIs have returned hearing to my life.  They amaze me every single day.
Thank you Med-El!
 
What have been your favorite sounds of your day?

I have had a terrific experience with Fiona Stanley hospital in Perth. All covered under public health. And they only use Medel as far as I know.

Hello Everyone,
I am new to the group and would like to introduce myself. My name is Don Doherty and I am 73 years young. I lost some of my hearing while serving as an automatic rifleman in the Marine Corps during my tour in Vietnam (66-67). It got bad enough that I was medically evacuated from Puerto Rico in 1970 where I was then stationed, to Philadelphia Naval Hospital which was the Hearing Center at the time. I was tested and diagnosed with bilateral neurosensory high frequency hearing loss and had a hearing aid ordered. While waiting for the aid to come in I was fortunate to undergo an aural rehabilitation program which the military had in those days. When my in-the-ear aid came in (June 1970) I learned I was being recommended for discharge. I appealed this Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) finding and was allowed to finish my Marine Corps career provided I change my military occupational speciality and limit my exposure to loud noise. I had many challenges being a Marine with a hearing aid but finally retired in 1987. When I was released from the Marine Corps I went to the Veterans Administration where I was issued a much needed second hearing aid. I then worked for the Veterans Administration for the next 25 years. All totaled I had worn hearing aids for about 45 years. As my hearing grew progressively worse, my audiologist told me my hearing aids were no longer helping me. I then began to consider getting a Cochlear Implant. It took me doing some study and research before I finally made the commitment to proceed. The approval process came from the Veterans Administration as my hearing loss was considered service connected and they were going to pay for it. I chose Med-El because I wanted the latest technology, the ability to have an MRI, and an implant that could get as close to the hearing nerve as possible. I also attended two Med-El Mingles where I liked the staff especially Taylor Sands who was very helpful and answered many of my questions. My decision to get a cochlear implant was reinforced by these Med-El activities and contacts.
On September 5th I received a Synchrony 2 Cochlear Implant from the esteemed Dr Stephanie Antonio-Moody at Norfolk-Sentara General Hospital in Norfolk, VA. I can’t believe it’s been only six days ago. I have met my Cochlear Implant audiologist, Dr Anna Louthan, and will be getting the Sonnet 2 and Rondo 2 audio processors. My activation date is September 24th, just 13 days away, and I am anxious to begin my new life’s journey.
I thank everyone in advance for your support.
Semper Fi,
Don
 
 

My audiologist said an interesting thing to me at my last visit that seemed counter intuitive at first. (I'm 4 months in). She said try not to use the controls unless really desperate - instead make my brain learn to make the adjustments. As it does in normal organic hearing. She said it may be hard but over time it will work out. So I've been following this and it is interesting. I definitely use the controls at times in the most challenging environments but try to minimise it. I can tell though that my brain is starting to sort out some types of background noise.  I think she's right that perseverance seems to be the key.

About 1/2 the time I wear it I do not use any controls at all....I only use controls in a conference room or restaurant...

@MaryGP  usually, the more rehab you do, the better you'll hear.  As Kylie mentioned, some people do loads of structured rehab - like Mary Beth.  But keep in mind that every conversation you have, every meeting you go to, every commute spent listening to music - those are all helpful too.  Just not structured and without a specific goal.
 

@MaryGP
@Kylie and @Mary Featherston have great points.  Everyone approaches training our brains differently.  You will figure out what works best for you and fits best in your schedule.  Aural rehab helps our brains learn how to use the new auditory input.  As we improve in listening with our CIs, we spend much less effort throughout the day trying to hear. 
I’m sorry if my fondness for aural rehab made you anxious.
CIs have changed my life and I am thankful every single day when I put on my processors.
Wishing you the best.

Kylie,
Thanks for the information.  It sounds like CI is working very well for you!  Such good news for you and your family.  
 I have been a little overwhelmed at the level of rehab necessary to make this successful.  It is encouraging that you are getting results with only 20 minutes a day.  I am so tired at the end of the work day (mentally tired - from work+straining to hear), that I am concerned about my ability to be successful.  I don't know how you do it with kids!!!! :).  I can definitely commit to 20 minutes.
Hope you have a great week.  Thanks again!

I have a recent CI (4 months since activation) after suffering sudden hearing loss last year, with an inner ear infection. I'm 39 years old. I went straight to CI and didn't do the other surgical options because they seemed inferior for the overall hearing experience. So while I can't compare them I do think I'm getting a realistic type of sound (the quality of which is improving daily). My brain is learning to filter environmental sound, music is getting better, multiple conversations are possible etc. 
I choose to do my rehab after dinner when the kids are in bed, or occasionally while they are at school if I have some free time on a non-work day.  I am not as committed as @Mary Beth to do multiple sessions per day! But I'm getting fantastic results with 20mins per day. I predominantly use the angel sounds software on my Surface, which works great. Also I've started listening to documentaries and TED talks with and without captions. I don't have an iPad either but there's bunches of good stuff available still. If you go down this path there are great recommendations on this forum on the rehab pages. Whatever devices you have, there will be programs you can use.

@Kylie I agree with your audiologist - I rarely use my remote, I try to adjust to the situation.  Noisy restaurants are my primary reason for using the remote.

My audiologist said an interesting thing to me at my last visit that seemed counter intuitive at first. (I'm 4 months in). She said try not to use the controls unless really desperate - instead make my brain learn to make the adjustments. As it does in normal organic hearing. She said it may be hard but over time it will work out. So I've been following this and it is interesting. I definitely use the controls at times in the most challenging environments but try to minimise it. I can tell though that my brain is starting to sort out some types of background noise.  I think she's right that perseverance seems to be the key.

Neil,
Everyone is different and must make do with their own situation and decisions. 
I had a different situation, My first CI on the right side went in flawlessly and I felt over that first year being bimodal with a CI and a HA was better on the CI side. In fact, I wanted to get the second CI as soon as possible because of the excellent hearing with the CI.
I lost my hearing as an adult, my hearing was flat across all frequencies in both ears, so adapting to CIs was relatively easy for me.
My right CI was implanted without issue, however, my left side was not. It took three implant surgeries to get it implanted properly, due to a bony buildup in the inner ear.
 
My point is every one is different. Find a good ENT who does research well for each case. 
Then do your own research on adapting to CIs - follow through with any and all audio rehabilitations exercises you can. 
Patience, Practice and Perseverence
 
 

I have a recent CI (4 months since activation) after suffering sudden hearing loss last year, with an inner ear infection. I'm 39 years old. I went straight to CI and didn't do the other surgical options because they seemed inferior for the overall hearing experience. So while I can't compare them I do think I'm getting a realistic type of sound (the quality of which is improving daily). My brain is learning to filter environmental sound, music is getting better, multiple conversations are possible etc. 
I choose to do my rehab after dinner when the kids are in bed, or occasionally while they are at school if I have some free time on a non-work day.  I am not as committed as @Mary Beth to do multiple sessions per day! But I'm getting fantastic results with 20mins per day. I predominantly use the angel sounds software on my Surface, which works great. Also I've started listening to documentaries and TED talks with and without captions. I don't have an iPad either but there's bunches of good stuff available still. If you go down this path there are great recommendations on this forum on the rehab pages. Whatever devices you have, there will be programs you can use.

Hello all,
I just lost my hearing in one ear, suddenly 3 months ago. I went to bed hearing, and I awakened profoundly deaf in my left ear.  I have been fitted with a CROS hearing aid, but am interested in CI.  Especially, now that it is approved by FDA and I may be able to get insurance to pay.  I am a positive person (well, lets say that I am grossly optimistic) so at first, I thought, this isn't that big of a deal.  I haven't loss my independence.  I am not stuck in a wheel chair on unable to drive (THank God!).  But, as time progresses I am really effected by the back ground noise and its invasion on conversations, my inability to pick up words in multiperson conversations (did people always talk over eachother like that?) and the exhaustion at the end of the day after working so hard to hear every one at work.  You see, I am a manager in a chemical plant laboratory.  The ventilation is necessary and very loud.  I am constantly straining just to hear my employees.  Oh, and then there is music.  Which is now just flat and noisy.
My audiologist thinks I am a good candidate for CI because I just lost my hearing.  I would love to write/speak with someone who has been through the same thing.  Anyone out there?
Peace,
Mary

A podcast while I was getting dressed before the kids were up. Bliss!

A podcast while I was getting dressed before the kids were up. Bliss!

My new sound was also crickets. Had to ask the spouse what I was hearing. They sure can be noisy!

@Jdashiell stay safe, Joe.
@Mary Beth My first sound was my husband's CPAP machine.