Lori Martin Posted March 21, 2022 Report Share Posted March 21, 2022 Hi It's been a very long time and many adjustments back and forth to Boston, I have had my Cochlear Implant Sonnet 2 now for two years and still not hearing CLARITY. They told me that I should be hearing fine tune within six weeks, but everything is still robotic. Now it's getting so I have to have an MRI completed on the brain and here in Maine they can't do unless I surgically have the Implant removed. I do understand that Cochlear Implants are somewhat compatible with MRI machines. I believe at this point I'm at an awe not knowing what to do, I sit down next month with my surgeon and to explain all, it's to my decision that I may just have this removed even though I would miss hearing. It would be greatly appreciated for any input from here I am desperately reaching for help. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted March 21, 2022 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted March 21, 2022 I am sorry this is happening to you @Lori Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnetteT Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Hi @Lori Martin, I'm so sorry that you are having these problems. Before your meeting with the surgeon, I recommend calling (and having your MRI center call) Med-EL at 1.888.633.3524. My Med-EL rep gave me this number and said that audiologists are on call to explain to medical institutions how to configure MRIs to work safely with Med-EL implants (I put this number on my medical alert bracelet as well). Also, ask your medical team if you would have to have the whole implant removed or just removing the magnet temporarily. I have never heard of having to remove an implant for an MRI except when the implant is broken (and then it is replaced). I have only heard of a very minor surgery to remove the magnet before the MRI and another to replace it. (However, if your surgeon thinks that your implant is malfunctioning, maybe he wants to replace it?). At times like this, it is important to have an advocate to help you navigate this complexity of MRI compatibility--and I hope that the Med-EL team can do that ❤️. Please make sure you have full options and information before you make your decision. Maybe the @MED-EL Moderator could help connect you to a Med-El representative in your region of Maine, US. Annette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Martin Posted March 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Hi @Annette Thank you for reaching out with your information it's much appreciated. I will definitely have all my resources @ hand, I believe it's just the magnet, but I prefer not to have to go through this many times. But I will have all notes, I also have been in touch with Med El they have reached out. But I am also going on two years of robotic sounds, and I should be hearing clarity. Thank you Lori Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnetteT Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 1 hour ago, Lori Martin said: Hi @Annette Thank you for reaching out with your information it's much appreciated. I will definitely have all my resources @ hand, I believe it's just the magnet, but I prefer not to have to go through this many times. But I will have all notes, I also have been in touch with Med El they have reached out. But I am also going on two years of robotic sounds, and I should be hearing clarity. Thank you Lori Hi @Lori Martin, I hope that the surgeon and Med-EL can help you with the robotic sounds as well as the MRI! One thing that I've been looking at lately is anatomy-based-fitting? @Mary Beth posted this link: https://lifelonghearing.com/science/new-program-for-med-el-cochlear-implants/ . It seems to be similar to what I've received as a participant in a study that has helped me, I think (but it's hard for me to know as I've never had the standard programming). I'll cross my fingers for you ❤️! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MED-EL Moderator Posted March 23, 2022 Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 Hi @Lori Martin, good to read that you are already in touch with your local MED-EL team. They are best placed to support you and can provide any necessary information for your surgeon / radiologist. Our SYNCHRONY and SYNCHROY 2 cochlear implants are MRI compatible at 3.0 Tesla. You'll find a MRI check list and important safety information to share with your medical specialists here Important Safety Information (medel.com) Please let us know in case you need any further support. Kind regards, Barbara Mary Beth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan Posted March 30, 2022 Report Share Posted March 30, 2022 @Lori Martin just as an fyi, I am bilaterally implanted and have 5 MRIs of my brain (check ups relative to removal of a brain tumor which took place just 3 months prior to my first implant) in the past 8 years, all without problem. My implants (magnets) have always been left in place. My best to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Martin Posted March 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2022 Hi @Joan Thank you for reaching back it's appreciated. Glad to hear your story. THank you Lori Joan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kryptonitesolution Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 MRI Compatible Monitor are really useful during MRI really very good for Joan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan Posted November 9, 2022 Report Share Posted November 9, 2022 Remarkable. Although it would be only a visual experience for a deaf individual, it certainly would be relaxing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enegra Posted June 2, 2023 Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 @MED-EL Moderator I received some conflicting information regarding MRIs and would like a clarification. I had an MRI today. I was told by the hospital staff, that the Med-El representative required the bandaging kit to be used. The scan was at 1.5 Tesla. The information available online on my implant, SYNCHRONY, seems to state that no bandaging is required, as per https://blog.medel.com/technology/the-complete-guide-to-mri-with-a-cochlear-implant/. Quote What’s this head bandage I keep seeing pictures of on Facebook? With some cochlear implants, a bandage needs to be wrapped very tightly around the head during a scan. This helps to keep the magnet in place if it starts to pull away from the implant. But you’ll be pleased to hear that with MED-EL’s newest implant models, no head bandage is required! Our magnets are designed with MRI in mind, so you do not need a head bandage to keep the magnet in place. I also found the brochure on MRI safety (Finland, from here https://www.medel.com/important-safety-information). It seems to only list bandaging as mandatory for the old implants, not for SYNCHRONY and newer. The bandage was really painful because my implant area is sensitive and it still feels very achy hours later. I know this is nothing serious and will eventually pass, but if that isn't required, then why was it "required"? I felt no pain from the magnet itself, just the pain from tightness of the bandage. Basically, the lower edge of my implant is sticking out, often uncomfortable on its own and applying pressure over causes nasty sensation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MED-EL Moderator Posted June 5, 2023 Report Share Posted June 5, 2023 Dear @Enegra, thank you for sharing your experience. We sent you a private message to learn more about it so we can forward it to the right person here at MED-EL. Could you please check? We'll continue the conversation over there, thank you. Kind Regards, Giulia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enegra Posted June 5, 2023 Report Share Posted June 5, 2023 Thank you, @MED-EL Moderator! I've sent a response with additional and new detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enegra Posted July 10, 2023 Report Share Posted July 10, 2023 I feel like I need to share an update in the public regarding the MRI. What happened is also a failure on Med-El's part, because it should never be the patient's responsibility to teach the hospital staff that there are different brands and models of cochlear implants. Heck, a lot of people don't even know specifics of their implants other than "I have this implant that allows me to hear things". The radiologist team was completely unaware that there were other makes of cochlear implants than the Cochlear brand. The information about my device's brand is in my patient files, but due to the ignorance they just followed the protocol from Cochlear brand. They used a tight bandage with a magnet and that caused a lot of pressure. As the result, I seem to have either a slightly displaced or damaged device. I am suffering from pain that hasn't improved in over a month of time. Unfortunately, during July the CI clinic (different hospital than the one that did the MRI) can't provide me any meaningful assistance, so I am just stuck waiting for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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