Pain using processor for work

[Juanita]

I have been having a lot of pain with using my processor for work. I use it daily and it has been fine, but I connect to my computer with the minitek and try to work and it causes horrible headaches. I don't know if it is just from streaming the sound or what. I have issues with hearing the audio as well (it was better before the surgery), but I am sure that can be adjusted. The pain, however, is too much. I get a really bad headache and pain at the implant site.

I had my surgery July 8th and been using my Samba since the first week of August. I had a lot of pain after surgery, but that had settled. I was wearing my device for just over a week (not working) and the pain had improved, but just recently started up again (since going back to work). I worked for maybe 20-30 minutes before the pain became apparent.

UPDATE:

I have been wearing my device for about 2 weeks now and the pain is better. No headaches or pressure pain (or at least not as bad). My GP and I found a link between my very newly diagnosed depression and the pain I was experiencing. Thanks for the help.

Edited November 17, 2016 by Juanita
Update

[Kara of Canada]

I'm a CI implantee. I had the same issue as you around month one. Ivana will know better about it than me but I wanted you to know it can happen to anyone. I was told it could be related to overstimulation. So take it slow!! Best of luck. 

[Ivana Marinac]

Hello Juanita,

Have you settled your problem with magnet strength? 

So, basically, now you have a new problem: your streamer (miniTek) started to cause your headaches? Can you explain a little bit, where exactly do you feel that your headache starts? Is it a real headache, or you feel more like "hearing fatigue"? Like you are overwhelmed with a sound?

In this case, there might be a problem with a hearing map... This is first what crossed my mind, because miniTek could not affect individually....

[Juanita]

The magnet strength seems to be resolved. I had been wearing it for about a week with very little problem before I started working again. Sounds are still very overwhelming at times and I do tend to have to take the device off in crowds, but overall I'm beginning to get use to it.

The headaches I get now only happen while I am at work, but lasts for the day and I end up having to keep my device off for the rest of the day. The audio is too low and I can't really hear that well. The first thing I said to my husband was that the voices were really low, but it was overwhelming at the same time. It feels like a pressure headache. It starts near my forehead and the implant site becomes really sensitive feeling. I can only work for about 30 minutes before it gets to be too much.

[Ivana Marinac]

Ok, can you explain to me - your headaches become apparent after you use your BB with your streamer or with the Aftershokz headphones?

And, none of these problems do not happen if you do not combine it with the aforementioned add-ons? For instance, on your day off, weekend perhaps when you do not work?

Regarding your volume - your audiologist have to raise the volume.There are several levels of adjustment - when you finish all levels, you will be able to hear at maximum but you need some time to reach this goal. As you were not fitted for a long time, there is a strong possibility that you need more time to adapt yourself to the world of sound.

Also, another possibility is that your map is not adequate for you - you can get headaches if all frequencies are not harmonized. For instance, few times my higher frequencies were raised too much and I felt hyperacoustic episodes. Did your audiologist have experience with Bonebridge before you? If he is not experienced, he might need the Med-EL assistance. It's easy to ask for it.

[MED-EL Moderator]

Hi Juanita, we recommend that you talk with your doctor or medical professional to seek advice or information about this. I have sent you a private message with more information. Kind regards, Leigh

On 8/30/2016 at 10:37 PM, Juanita said:

I have been having a lot of pain with using my processor for work. I use it daily and it has been fine, but I connect to my computer with the minitek and try to work and it causes horrible headaches. I don't know if it is just from streaming the sound or what. I have issues with hearing the audio as well (it was better before the surgery), but I am sure that can be adjusted. The pain, however, is too much. I get a really bad headache and pain at the implant site.

I had my surgery July 8th and been using my Samba since the first week of August. I had a lot of pain after surgery, but that had settled. I was wearing my device for just over a week (not working) and the pain had improved, but just recently started up again (since going back to work). I worked for maybe 20-30 minutes before the pain became apparent.

Trying to get in touch with my surgeon again just to see. The site itself is healed.

a

[Ivana Marinac]

Well - we have discussed Juanita's problem a lot in one FB's group. Med-El's representative from Canada is included in the chit-chat group between surgeon and audiologist.

We hope they will found a solution even more because - this is definitely not a usual scenario.