Re: Deaf too long. A Myth??

[Guest guest]

The main reason for this statement is due to lack of understanding

or education about ci's. Many dr's and even audiologists are unaware

they even exist and if they do know about them, they lack the

knowledge to tell a person they could really benefit. If an

aduiologist isn't ci certified chances are he/she may not know

exactly how a ci works and a regular family medical dr may not even

know about a ci at all!

Education is the key and we attempt to spread the word about ci's in

as many ways as possible. Very few who could actually benefit from a

ci know they exist and while this number is improving all the time,

there's still a very small percentage who know about ci's compared

to those who could actually use one.

Hope this helps.

Hugs,

Silly MI

In , DJ Wooldridge <djwool@t...> wrote:

> From what I have been reading,

> " You have been deaf too long " seems to be a favorite line of many

> doctors and CI centers. Maybe we could start a thread on this

topic and

> have people share their experience and see if we can come to a

consensus

> about the validity of these types of statements. I personally

have no

> experience on this topic but it seems to pop up quite often

> DJ

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/4/2004 3:21:33 AM Pacific Standard Time,

djwool@... writes:

" You have been deaf too long " seems to be a favorite line of many

doctors and CI centers. Maybe we could start a thread on this topic and

have people share their experience and see if we can come to a consensus

about the validity of these types of statements

DJ....That might make a good poll! I had been told that since my ear had not

been stimulated for so long, it might take me a long time to hear well. The

audiologist thought it might take a year before I could talk on the phone. I

was talking on the phone in three weeks.

The first CI in 1985 gave me environmental sounds only. I could tell when a

male or female was speaking..but not what they were saying. I had been deaf

for 14 years when I got it The new advancements in CI technology has made a

tremendous difference in the levels we can reach with the CI's. I have talked

to several people who have been deaf over 40 years and they are also doing

well! Keep in mind that these people DID have previous hearing and even though

they had not heard in ages, their brains still retained auditory memory.

I have one prelingual friend who has tried three times to qualify for a CI

and she was told " no, you have been deaf too long " , she is 58 now and has never

heard sound. Her family doctor told her it was " not worth it for her " She

found out later that her interpreter was against CI's and feels that slanted the

doctors opinion. He twice refused to refer her for a CI consultation. She

had one anyway ( paid for it herself) and knows she has one ear that can be

implanted...but unless insurance coverage is available she will not be able to

have a CI. She appealed this decision to the insurance board twice. Her

doctors recommendation stands. She has resigned herself to not having a CI.

She

knows she wouldn't be talking on the phone, but wanted to hear birds and

music and environmental sounds. I feel really bad for her!

Deb H

[Guest guest]

that is so sad! Maybe she should go get another doctor and this

time maybe find an unbiased interpreter or someone who supports CI

implantation to go with her! I am really sorry to hear about that,

and I hope she will persevere and never give up! How dare these

doctors make decisions for individuals like this! How the hey do

they know what would be worth it to a person! or what the outcome

would be!

Shame Shame Shame on any of them who subscribe to the practice of

playing judge, jury, exicutioner and GOD! They are only supposed to

be helping not hindering! I am sickend by it! I am infuriated

because I am beginning to see that Chauncey's own doctor, out of his

own ignorace, never even metioned the CI to him or anyone else in

his family probably assuming the same junk! He quite possible could

have been hearing sound more than 10 years ago! It should be a

crime. but that's me!

> In a message dated 2/4/2004 3:21:33 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> djwool@t... writes:

> " You have been deaf too long " seems to be a favorite line of many

> doctors and CI centers. Maybe we could start a thread on this

topic and

> have people share their experience and see if we can come to a

consensus

> about the validity of these types of statements

> DJ....That might make a good poll! I had been told that since my

ear had not

> been stimulated for so long, it might take me a long time to hear

well. The

> audiologist thought it might take a year before I could talk on

the phone. I

> was talking on the phone in three weeks.

>

> The first CI in 1985 gave me environmental sounds only. I could

tell when a

> male or female was speaking..but not what they were saying. I had

been deaf

> for 14 years when I got it The new advancements in CI technology

has made a

> tremendous difference in the levels we can reach with the CI's.

I have talked

> to several people who have been deaf over 40 years and they are

also doing

> well! Keep in mind that these people DID have previous hearing

and even though

> they had not heard in ages, their brains still retained auditory

memory.

>

> I have one prelingual friend who has tried three times to qualify

for a CI

> and she was told " no, you have been deaf too long " , she is 58 now

and has never

> heard sound. Her family doctor told her it was " not worth it for

her " She

> found out later that her interpreter was against CI's and feels

that slanted the

> doctors opinion. He twice refused to refer her for a CI

consultation. She

> had one anyway ( paid for it herself) and knows she has one ear

that can be

> implanted...but unless insurance coverage is available she will

not be able to

> have a CI. She appealed this decision to the insurance board

twice. Her

> doctors recommendation stands. She has resigned herself to not

having a CI. She

> knows she wouldn't be talking on the phone, but wanted to hear

birds and

> music and environmental sounds. I feel really bad for her!

>

> Deb H

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I know one thing....I was too deaf for too long!!! It is a matter of

personal opinion and certainly we shouldn't allow others to judge us or make

decisions for us.

In a message dated 2/4/2004 6:21:38 AM Eastern Standard Time,

djwool@... writes:

From what I have been reading,

" You have been deaf too long " seems to be a favorite line of many

doctors and CI centers. Maybe we could start a thread on this topic and

have people share their experience and see if we can come to a consensus

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/4/04 9:56:09 PM, Ci92000@... writes:

> I know one thing....I was too deaf for too long!!! 

>

AMEN!!!!!!!!!

susan