JohnL

@Mary Beth
my wife has made several masks and sent them to our daughter who is a physician working in a hospital in NH. She is working in the ICU but required to reuse n95 masks as there are not enough. She used a pattern from the hospital and it had the elastic around the ears.  That’s probably not best for Sonnet users but it’s better than nothing. 

@Mary Beth
I was there last week. What a great experience. And the research team was terrific.  It was definitely exhausting but they made it very comfortable. And, boy, are they smart!!
I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Marcy
 congratulations on your activation. I was implanted last March and activated in April also at Mass Eye and Ear. I found the audiologists to be terrific but I must admit I didn’t know the whole process of testing so it was a bit daunting. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about what you will be going through (or at least what I went through). I have both the Sonnet and the Rondo 2 and I usually alternate processors each day. Fortunately I haven’t had a problem with the Rondo2 falling off but I actually use the hair clip just in case. 
good luck. 

The more important question - does MedEl listen to what we ask for??

Hard to pick just one. So... sonnet - wireless charging a la rondo2 and smaller size. Rondo 2 - slimmer design and dual mics/latest ASM. 

Dave
do you prefer the Rondo 2 because you hear better, it’s more comfortable, the battery lasts all day or something else?

I agree with everything that has already been said. Remember, the internal device stays with you forever. The external devices change and can be upgraded.  I also suggest you listen closely to what your surgeon says. While my surgeon didn’t give me a recommendation per se he did say “in my hands, the MedEl electrode array gives me the best chance for keeping some residual hearing”.  That tipped the scale for me. 
Good luck. 

I’m heading to Durham in early March. Would love to hear about Ford’s experience. 

Until I was activated, my ear felt as though I had cotton in my ear.  In fact, my wife said that the post op nurse told her the surgeon had put “packing” in my ear. Turns out, no such thing happened but it felt that way. Not to worry, upon activation that feeling goes away. 

Marcy
 congratulations on your activation. I was implanted last March and activated in April also at Mass Eye and Ear. I found the audiologists to be terrific but I must admit I didn’t know the whole process of testing so it was a bit daunting. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about what you will be going through (or at least what I went through). I have both the Sonnet and the Rondo 2 and I usually alternate processors each day. Fortunately I haven’t had a problem with the Rondo2 falling off but I actually use the hair clip just in case. 
good luck. 

Jan
welcome. I started using AB clix on my iPad and found that, in the early going, it was helpful. However, after a while it wasn’t much of a challenge so I switched to angel sounds on my computer (the computer has many more option than just an iPad). Someone once pointed out that anything you listen to during the day is “rehab” because you are making your brain work to hear sounds/speech. I think it’s good to keep that in mind. 
I’ve been “activated” for about six months and it is a marathon, not a sprint. I admit that sitting in front of a computer doing aural rehab can be boring but if you think about all the positive aspects of being able to hear and understand you will realize it is worth it.  I’m not where I want to be yet but even small improvements are a positive sign. 
 

Not me, I’m south of Boston. 

Marlene
welcome. You will find a lot of interesting and useful information as you scroll through the various topics on the forum. 
I was activated about 3 months before you. The best advice I can give you is to dedicate yourself to aural rehab. It can be boring and frustrating but, in my view, is very important. I’m not where I want to be after 6 months but I am better than I else’s at 3 months - so keep your chin up!  

Marlene
welcome. You will find a lot of interesting and useful information as you scroll through the various topics on the forum. 
I was activated about 3 months before you. The best advice I can give you is to dedicate yourself to aural rehab. It can be boring and frustrating but, in my view, is very important. I’m not where I want to be after 6 months but I am better than I else’s at 3 months - so keep your chin up!  

@Mary Beth
I had forgotten how “easy” level 1 was. Well, I guess it wasn’t easy when I started!
i can come a lot closer with identifying the words at that level with my eyes closed. 

@Mary Featherston
sorry for the delay but we just returned from France. Yes, we did Omaha beach and the American cemetery. Breathtaking!
i couldn’t understand a word the guide was saying but just seeing what our brave troops faced was mind boggling. 

@Mary Beth
we are sailing on the Seine with Amawaterways. The highlight is a day at Normandy beach. 
I have been doing aural rehab by reading an audio book and with Clix and Angel sounds every day. And I will continue to do so on our trip. 

Thanks

@Kylie
glad to hear you’re done and feeling okay. I like the arrow on your neck pointing to the ear. A nice road map for the surgeon. 

Well, surgery complete and Home recovering. So far, so good. Pain is tolerable, no increase in tinnitus (yet), and I can still taste my wife’s delicious food! The only downside is I can’t tell if he was able to retain any residual hearing. The surgeon performed a canal up mastoidectomy and “packed” my ear canal  and I have to wait until I see him in a month for it to be removed to be able to tell if there is any hearing left. That was a surprise  I thought I would wake up and know right away. But I guess I’ll have to wait  
 

Thanks Marybeth. I’m scared,excited and a whole host of other emotions. 

My surgery is scheduled for 3/29 but I’m trying to move it up. 

I am a candidate and have an appointment with an audiologist in a couple of weeks to review the options and make a decision on which manufacturer I am going to choose. A daunting decision to say the least because each manufacturer says they are the best. 

I am a candidate and have an appointment with an audiologist in a couple of weeks to review the options and make a decision on which manufacturer I am going to choose. A daunting decision to say the least because each manufacturer says they are the best.