hearingmiracle Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Hi I like to gather some opinion from people who had fitted CI on one ear and hearing aid on the other ear. what are the reasons for going bimodal? Does it sound more natural for brain ? Or???? carolinemack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted August 19, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Well, usual progress of the hearing curve of severe hearing loss goes from the field of high toward those with low (bass) frequencies. As long as it is useful, natural hearing is tried to be preserved or at least fulfill with what left of hearing from the other ear. Natural is natural, but only up to the point when it functions. With time even these traces of hearing will be lost and then an implanted ear should be possible to take over that function while the neuroplasticity gets its swing during the long and perplexed way of the hearing rehabilitation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted August 19, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 I am bimodal. The reason being on Canada they will only do an implant in one ear. We have to apply for special circumstances to get another one. Not everyone gets it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted August 19, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Many adults have or have had bimodal experience since most adult surgeries are sequential. Some adults stay with 1 CI and 1 HA by choice as that works well for them. Other adults are bimodal because they are not able to get a second CI, due to insurance or country rules or due to the condition of their other cochlea. Everyone's experience bring bimodal is unique. For me, I peaked at bimodal function at 3 months post activation of my first CI. After that the hearing from my CI was so far superior to the hearing from my HA, that my HA was no longer any help. By 5 months I had stopped using that HA and at 7 months I had my second CI surgery. I was activated about a month later. For me, bilateral CIs are way better an bimodal hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted August 19, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Can you explain to us, Mary Beth, in what way a HA helped you at least you decided to use it these 5 months? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted August 19, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 I'll try to explain it. For me, it was like a dance between my CI and my HA. At first my HA led the dance and my CI was happy to follow along. As time went on, my CI became more and more interested in guiding the dance. When I peaked with bimodal function at 3 months, my CI and HA felt like equal dance partners. Then my CI hearing continued to improve and improve. Eventually my CI wanted to lead the dance. For me this was almost a physical sensation in my brain- a kind of tug-of-war of sorts. The hearing in my left ear (with the HA) still had a progressive loss. My goal from the beginning was to train my right CI as a stand alone ear. I wanted to be able to function fully with that CI ear alone. I did not want to rely on the diminishing hearing in my left ear. This was the right path for me. Other people may find bimodal hearing to work great for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hearingmiracle Posted August 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 Thanks all for sharing your experience. Noted that CI gradually improve. My doctor say a person with progressive loss , eventually CI would be needed to replace HA. I read many articles saying HA tend to be useful for some Low frequency hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 Yup HAs for the birds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 On 20/08/2016 at 1:06 AM, Mary Beth said: I'll try to explain it. For me, it was like a dance between my CI and my HA. At first my HA led the dance and my CI was happy to follow along. As time went on, my CI became more and more interested in guiding the dance. When I peaked with bimodal function at 3 months, my CI and HA felt like equal dance partners. Then my CI hearing continued to improve and improve. Eventually my CI wanted to lead the dance. For me this was almost a physical sensation in my brain- a kind of tug-of-war of sorts. The hearing in my left ear (with the HA) still had a progressive loss. My goal from the beginning was to train my right CI as a stand alone ear. I wanted to be able to function fully with that CI ear alone. I did not want to rely on the diminishing hearing in my left ear. This was the right path for me. Other people may find bimodal hearing to work great for them. Great! - Excellent explanation, I like this metaphor! Did your HA conducted (at the beginning) more lower frequencies or equal? I have been reading such experiences from the other implantees, but, of course - it depends on the present hearing traces... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 On 20/08/2016 at 2:21 AM, hearingmiracle said: Thanks all for sharing your experience. Noted that CI gradually improve. My doctor say a person with progressive loss , eventually CI would be needed to replace HA. I read many articles saying HA tend to be useful for some Low frequency hearing. Yes, it's because of the way how sound is transmitted. Also, during the period of rehabilitation, sounds within the higher frequency spectre come back earlier like -sh. On the other side -mm (lower frequencies) returns later - that's why it's good to have a HA amplification as long as this solution works for the individual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 Have found the picture: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 Ivana, By the time I received my first implant on my completely deaf ear, my other ear only had access to low and mid sounds. I had lost all mid high and high frequency sounds completely. That ear qualified for a CI right from the start too. So it was not hearing much and understanding even less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 35 minutes ago, Mary Beth said: Ivana, By the time I received my first implant on my completely deaf ear, my other ear only had access to low and mid sounds. I had lost all mid high and high frequency sounds completely. That ear qualified for a CI right from the start too. So it was not hearing much and understanding even less. Tnx Mary Beth - similar story like others have. My intention, questioning you this particular detail, was a try to explain why the use of HA matters - it is not just a habit, it has its reason while a CI catch its wind, or like you said - it's step. Mary Beth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 Audiologists vary greatly on what they want newly activated CI users to do about their contralateral ear. My audiologist has always been flexible on everything except that the CI stays on all waking hours. How much time I wanted to spend CI only. Above the minimum of 2 hours a day, was completely up to me. Ivana Marinac 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 Too many fruits for me!! Ivana Marinac 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted August 21, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 2 hours ago, Mary Beth said: Audiologists vary greatly on what they want newly activated CI users to do about their contralateral ear. My audiologist has always been flexible on everything except that the CI stays on all waking hours. How much time I wanted to spend CI only. Above the minimum of 2 hours a day, was completely up to me. Great! - They are not so "obsessive" ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanmaggie Posted November 15, 2016 Report Share Posted November 15, 2016 I have a CI for my left ear and HA for the right. I can use just the CI and be fine but I do hear more having them both! To begin with we figured to need to do the right ear as well, but because with just the CI my hearing has improved so much that we are going to continue with the HA . My HA hadn't worked for a while so had not used it and then I got it fixed and was surprised at my brains reaction to the different sounds from it. Voices etc, but within a few days my brain was happy with both and I can't distinguish between them! So I would assume it is just what a persons brain can do with the different types of sounds coming in. If and when my right ear gets worse, I will, then go with the other implant. Mary Beth and Cara Mia 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinemack Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 Hi there, I have progressive hearing loss. Fitted with a CI on the left almost 3 years ago and have loved it since day 1 of switch on, although of course it got better and better. I have a HA still on the right. My left ear's remaining function was spoiled by the CI but as that totally overtakes it anyway, I'm not bothered about that. We only get the 1 CI except for 'circumstances' here (Netherlands). My hearing aid needs updated, but even 'as is' I like to use it all the time as it somehow does add to things, which is strange as on its own it's virtually useless to me.I notice quite a difference if I don't wear it with the CI but I can certainly function with JUST CI. I'm hoping a new HA will have advanced enough to improve the remaining hearing in that ear but even if it doesn't, I doubt I'd be offered a 2nd CI. And if I was offered one, I'm not sure if I'd take it (although I think I would) because of course I'd be liable to then completely lose what little hearing i do have... at least when using the HA in that ear. it's all a bit conflicting. But meanwhile, as you ask... I'm quite happy with CI/HA. Cara Mia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Jdashiell Posted November 17, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 (edited) I am also Bimodal. I was bilateral with two HAs from the start when my hearing loss began fading away in early 1990's. My hearing loss was pretty flat across all frequencies in both ears and progressively declined over the years. I wore two hearing aids from the start. In January 2016, this year, my right side speech perception had declined below 50% so I was a candidate for CI. In March I was activated and have progressed well. I am lucky in that sense. I have found that the CI works a lot better than the HA, which is what I learned over the years at HLAA convention and meetings. I always felt shortchanged using HA's only, now I am part of the elite club!! And I prefer the Rondo to my Sonnet for comfort. That said, being able to hear on both sides has always, ALWAYS been the preferred hearing listening experience. I am accustomed to using my FineTuner and reaching up to the switch on my HA to turn on Tcoil mode. I use it with the Quattro4 for both devices to hear on my iPhone or iPad, or my Mac for various purposes and T-Coil without the Q4 to hear in a hearing loop room or device. I was born bilateral with my ears so I am "tuned" to hear on both sides now that I use CI/HA. Bimodal I hope to become bilateral soon with CI/CI!!! Joe Edited for corrections 3/19/17 surgery for second CI scheduled this Thursday 3/23/17!!! Edited March 19, 2017 by Jdashiell Corrections Cara Mia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted November 28, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Joe - bimodal means that, at the same time, you use both a CI and a HA. But - if you used 2 devices on both sides which give you the possibility of hearing with both ear, then you are also bilateral. Bimodal does not mean that you are at the same time - bimodal, because 2 devices can be on one side. Some explanations are here: http://www.medel.com/blog/whats-the-point-of-bimodal-hearing/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Jdashiell Posted January 8, 2017 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 I thank you for that correction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Jdashiell Posted January 30, 2017 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 Yes I am bimodal and a have been since I was activated last year. I am scheduled for my second left ear CI surgery in two months - on the exact same day as the first right side CI surgery! I agree with the dance metaphor between the CI and the HA. for me the telephone has been a struggle with the CI in my right ear - but recently I noticed a significant improvement with hearing my iPhone with my right ear CI. The lead dance partner switched to right side ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted January 30, 2017 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 Awesome and best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Adam Posted January 31, 2017 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I am very glad that things are going well. For me, the telephone and music took the longest to come back. Keep on plugging away at it. We are very excited that you will be going bilateral. Please keep us up to date on how things are going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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