DaveD Posted April 19, 2018 Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 My name is Dave Detty and I'm looking forward to improving my hearing with a CI. My hearing loss has been progressive through much of my adult life. Probably due to genetics and occupational / recreational noise exposure. I've been wearing bilateral hearing aids for the past 25 years. HA no longer due much more than increase noise levels. I still get some benefit but it's pretty much only through one-on-one communication or some other aid like neck-loop and BT transmitters. I finally got an audiologist to conduct a CI evaluation and lo and behold, either ear qualifies for CI. (There is a rumor that Medicare will only cover one side but I'll be digging to that more to try and get bilateral at some point.) I'm meeting my surgeon at The Ohio State University on April 25th to discuss the surgery and CI options. My thinking at this point is to go with the longer Med-El FlexSoft electrode array and hopefully obtain better hearing across a wider frequency range. If my surgeon agrees I'll be trying to get on the schedule as soon as possible. Getting tired of having my wife repeat virtually everything she says! It's been very interesting reading the comments on HearPeers and I look forward to further discussions on this forum. Dave Detty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Featherston Posted April 19, 2018 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 Welcome, @DaveD! Good luck with your appointment. Let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolmarie Posted April 19, 2018 Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 Welcome Dave good luck and you pick the right time with the rondo 2 voucher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted April 19, 2018 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 Welcome @DaveD! I have a friend who has 2 CIs through Medicare so sometimes it is possible. Wishing you the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveD Posted April 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 Thanks for the welcome! I might want to make contact with your 2 CI friends to see what they went through to get the approvals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveD Posted April 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 1 hour ago, Carolmarie said: Welcome Dave good luck and you pick the right time with the rondo 2 voucher I went to a Med-El meeting in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and they assured me that the Rondo2 would be part of the package! Looks like me timing is spot on. Mary Beth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted April 20, 2018 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 @DaveD I chatted with my friend who received two CIs through Medicare and her supplemental BC/BS insurance. This is what I know about Medicare and the second CI. It’s my understanding Medicare doesn’t pre-approve. If that’s still the case, then it all comes down to what the user and his/her clinic can agree to prior to the implant in terms of financial responsibility should Medicare deny coverage. I recommend checking with your CI center as well as Med-El reimbursement specialists. Your Med-El CSR can connect you to Med-El reimbursement specialists. Good luck! I wish it wasn’t so difficult. After all, everyone deserves to hear the best they can. In the end, if Medicare will not cover your second CI and you wish to explore self-paying for a second CI, there are members here who have experience with that as well. Mary Featherston 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Jewel Posted April 20, 2018 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 Welcome @DaveD. All the best with your journey. Please keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted April 21, 2018 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted April 21, 2018 Hi @DaveD welcome to Hearpeers! It’s a wild ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveD Posted April 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 Thanks to all my HearPeers for the warm welcome to the group! Just met with my surgeon (Dr. Ed Dodson at OSU, Columbus, Ohio) this morning and surgery is scheduled for May 25th! He agreed that the longer Med-El FlexSoft array would be a good choice for my situation. Before surgery, I'm meeting with my audiologist to select the CI components. Can any of you offer any guidance about this selection process? Is there a standard package and are other optional components recommended? I know I'll have to wait awhile for the Rondo2. I guess I should bring my wife to that meeting to help me pick the right colors ! Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted April 25, 2018 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 Yay @DaveD! Is your CI center a one processor or two processor center? The Med-El promo of Rondo 2 will be in addition to that when it is released here. Are you selecting Sonnets? You get color choices....lots. Med-El website lets you design the color options you want. I believe you get a connectivity option and for Sonnets....Roger 21 and Roger Pen are most popular. I believe you get to choose a battery option. Discuss this with your audiologist too. wishing you the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveD Posted April 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 Hi Mary Beth, Not sure about the question regarding the CI center being a one or two processor center. Do you mean the audiologist/hospital or the Med-El support staff? I assumed the Sonnet processor would be the default selection and the Rondo2 when it becomes available. I don't think EAS would benefit me much. Per my audiogram, I'm on the low range of EAS capability. My audiologist and I will be having some quality time together getting these questions answered. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted April 25, 2018 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 Some US CI centers are one processor (per surgery) and others are two processors (per surgery). Your CI audiologist will be able to tell you. It’s a CI center choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted April 25, 2018 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 Great news @DaveD glad to hear you are in your way with the journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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