post surgery questions

[Guest guest]

Kathy:

You may have a bit of swelling from the surgery that should go away. I had

something similar. I am not sure of echoing sound when I talked, because

before my CI was turned on, I was totally deaf.

-- Nan

In a message dated 8/13/2005 12:11:10 PM Mountain Standard Time,

pksampson@... writes:

I had my implant on August 4th & have been having a plugged up feeling

in my implanted side. It's like I can't talk very loud without my ear

popping & clearing; kind of pressurized feeling.

Is this normal? Also, I feel like things are echoing when I talk as

well....

Kathi

------------------------

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/13/2005 11:11:11 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

pksampson@... writes:

like I can't talk very loud without my ear

popping & clearing; kind of pressurized feeling

take some OTC decongestant, it should solve the pressure-like sensation.

Lee

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/13/2005 5:03:15 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

lisak70@... writes:

I need a mocha! LOL!

have iced... my kid got me BIG mocha,, too much for me,, can share...

Lee

[Guest guest]

>You're lucky that you didn't have to deal with the echoing sound.

At times it becomes so annoying that I really don't like talking to

anyone. Someone had suggested taking a decongestant to try to

reduce the pressure problem. So this is probably a " normal " feeling?

Thanks.

Kathi

> Kathy:

>

> You may have a bit of swelling from the surgery that should go

away. I had

> something similar. I am not sure of echoing sound when I talked,

because

> before my CI was turned on, I was totally deaf.

>

> -- Nan

>

> In a message dated 8/13/2005 12:11:10 PM Mountain Standard Time,

> pksampson@c... writes:

>

> I had my implant on August 4th & have been having a plugged up

feeling

> in my implanted side. It's like I can't talk very loud without

my ear

> popping & clearing; kind of pressurized feeling.

>

> Is this normal? Also, I feel like things are echoing when I talk

as

> well....

>

> Kathi

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

The pressure and fullness will go away gradually, but if it's really

bothersome, perhaps you could ask your surgeon if you can take a

decongestant.

I'm not sure what you are experiencing in regards to the echo. Perhaps it's

tinnitus or a " head shadow " effect where sound is reflected from your

implanted (deaf) ear to your nonimplanted ear.

I didn't have problems with hearing an echo when I spoke, but I had

tinnitus -- big time. Are you " hearing " anything else (in your implanted

ear) like beeping, a freight train or whooshing sound?

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

~

That's exactly the feeling I'm having. The " head shadow " effect you

had mentioned. Will this go away eventually? It's just so

difficult to talk to people & to try to listen to them because it

seems to hurt to listen.

I've always had a little bit of a problem with tinnitus throughout

my life but now, especially when I try to go to sleep, it comes

across like a roaring sound. So so annoying!!!!

Thanks so much for talking with me about this because I was

beginning to think I was nuts!

Kathi

> Kathi,

>

> The pressure and fullness will go away gradually, but if it's

really

> bothersome, perhaps you could ask your surgeon if you can take a

> decongestant.

>

> I'm not sure what you are experiencing in regards to the echo.

Perhaps it's

> tinnitus or a " head shadow " effect where sound is reflected from

your

> implanted (deaf) ear to your nonimplanted ear.

>

> I didn't have problems with hearing an echo when I spoke, but I had

> tinnitus -- big time. Are you " hearing " anything else (in your

implanted

> ear) like beeping, a freight train or whooshing sound?

>

>

> Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

> Deafblind/Postlingual

> BTE hearing aid user 20 years

> Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

I'm glad I could help! <smile>

Yes, what you're experiencing is normal because you no longer have hearing

in your implanted ear. Unfortunately, the head shadow effect will continue

until your CI is activated. Do you have an FM system or assistive listening

device? If so, headphones, a neckloop or direct audio input cord connected

to your hearing aid will help diminish the echo sensation you're having

since it will bring sound directly into your hearing aid. I know exactly

what you're talking about. I had that sensation too. I don't have any

residual hearing in my nonimplanted ear and because of that, I always felt

off balance with sounds reflecting from my implanted ear to my HA ear.

Do you plan to wear a HA in your nonimplanted ear? If so, that will help

minimize (or even eliminate) the echo effect you are having now because you

will be hearing from both ears (CI and HA together).

Hang in there! I know it's annoying and painful, but once your CI is

activated, you will no longer experience this.

Hope this helps!

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

In my last post I meant to say I have no residual hearing in my implanted

ear.

I need a mocha! LOL!

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

~

I'm so naive in my knowledge of anything but an HA. I had wanted to

ask you what an FM system is. Where would I obtain a neckloop or

direct audio input cord? How would I connect either one of these to

my HA? I will be activated one week from this coming Monday; the

22nd but I'm not sure I can hold out until then. I work in a place

where people do a lot of talking & a lot of them talk to me. I'm

always friendly & like talking with them but just right now, I'd

rather keep the talking very short & be left alone. I know that

doesn't sound good but if there was a way they could understand how

it feels.....

I was blowing my nose a little while ago (very lightly) & my

implanted ear plugged up on me..... Ugh.....

Kathi

Implanted 8/4/05

Will be activated 8/22/05!!!!

Severe to profound loss

> Kathi,

>

> I'm glad I could help! <smile>

>

> Yes, what you're experiencing is normal because you no longer have

hearing

> in your implanted ear. Unfortunately, the head shadow effect will

continue

> until your CI is activated. Do you have an FM system or assistive

listening

> device? If so, headphones, a neckloop or direct audio input cord

connected

> to your hearing aid will help diminish the echo sensation you're

having

> since it will bring sound directly into your hearing aid. I know

exactly

> what you're talking about. I had that sensation too. I don't have

any

> residual hearing in my nonimplanted ear and because of that, I

always felt

> off balance with sounds reflecting from my implanted ear to my HA

ear.

>

> Do you plan to wear a HA in your nonimplanted ear? If so, that

will help

> minimize (or even eliminate) the echo effect you are having now

because you

> will be hearing from both ears (CI and HA together).

>

> Hang in there! I know it's annoying and painful, but once your CI

is

> activated, you will no longer experience this.

>

> Hope this helps!

>

>

> Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

> Deafblind/Postlingual

> BTE hearing aid user 20 years

> Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

,

Had my second MAPping Thursday, and sounds are louder once more. The audie

tested my hearing without CI in newly implanted ear, and it has been

determined some residual hearing has been preserved, and will get a HA for

that ear, along with the CI. Am beginning to localized, but have a ways to

go.

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

My surgeon told me not to blow my nose and to sneeze and cough with mouth

open for a month after surgery. Did yours tell you the same?

[Guest guest]

~

No, they did not tell me any of that. Of course, I've been sneezing &

coughing with my mouth open to lessen the pressure. But I have

allergies & my nose runs a lot & I just blew my nose so lightly a

couple of times, only. I won't do this anymore for awhile.

I wished they had been a little more informative in the do's & don'ts.

Kathi

> Kathi,

> My surgeon told me not to blow my nose and to sneeze and cough with

mouth

> open for a month after surgery. Did yours tell you the same?

>

[Guest guest]

,

Wow, that's great! I'm so excited for you and the progress you've made since

going bilateral! <smile> What kind of hearing aid will you be using with

your Freedom CI? I assume you will be using an in the ear (ITE) or in the

canal (ITC) hearing aid? Does your audi think the hearing aid will help

bring in more low frequencies compared to the implant alone? The set up

you're describing (CI and hearing aid in one ear) sounds similar to what is

done for the Hybrid CI.

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

,

My audiologist told my interpreter it will be an in-the-ear aid to help with

low frequencies. I likely will wear it alone early mornings and late

evenings to bring in environmental sounds til I put on the CIs or go to bed,

besides using it with the CIs during the day.

[Guest guest]

,

I just wanted to add one more comment to my last post. It seems as though

more people who are implanted with the Freedom are retaining a small amount

of residual hearing. I haven't had the residual hearing in my implanted ear

tested, but when I put my hearing aid on, I can't hear anything. When I turn

the volume all the way up, all I feel is vibration. I also tried listening

to the dial tone on my Dialogue XL-50 phone and couldn't hear anything even

when the volume, tone and amplification controls were set to maximum.

Even though the amount of residual hearing one has after surgery is of no

use for understanding speech, it's still good to know all hearing isn't

destroyed. I have to admit...one of my biggest concerns about going

bilateral is being unable to hear *anything* once my processors are off

(i.e. safety at night). I can't hear anything when my CI and hearing aid are

removed, so perhaps it's no different. When I go bilateral, this is

something I'll have to discuss with my audi and surgeon because it is a real

concern of mine.

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi,

You can purchase a neckloop or direct audio input cord (make sure it is

mono) on the Internet from the following vendors (of which I have no

affiliation):

Communications

http://upwrisos.notlong.com

HearMore

http://www.hearmore.com/store/prodList.asp?idstore=0

Keep in mind that you will need an FM system (consists of a transmitter,

receiver and microphone or assistive listening device (like the Pocketalker

or SoundWizard) to transmit sounds and bring them directly into your hearing

aids via a neckloop or direct audio input cord.

Even though you haven't been activated yet, now might be a good time to

invest in an FM system or ALD. FM systems/ALDs can be very helpful when you

are in a noisy environment. Then again, you may find that you do not need

one. Some CI users can hear quite well in noisy environments without them.

Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!

<smile>

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

,

Have you thought about wearing an in the ear hearing aid with your N24C as

well? I wonder if an in the ear aid will provide enough amplification for

you to hear environmental sounds without your CI. The reason I say this is

because in the ear aids are primarily designed for those who have mild or

moderate hearing loss. Perhaps this will depend on the amount of residual

hearing in your implanted ear?

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

,

When my audie tested my first implanted ear, I only felt bibrations. so no

hearing in that ear. With the Freedom it is possible to preserve some of the

residual hearing. My audie wondered if I would wear the HA during the night

for environmental sounds, but I get infections if I wear the HA round the

clock and don't give the ear a chance to breathe. I, too, feared losing the

remaining residual hearing, but I could hear hardly anything without HA and

CI anyway, and my bigger issue was traffic localization.

[Guest guest]

,

I can definitely understand issues regarding traffic localization. My analog

hearing aid still helps me hear traffic and I'm hoping will continue to

until I can go bilateral. Right now, the only other hearing aid on the

market that is stronger than the aid I'm using now is the Oticon SUMO.

Unfortunately that model isn't covered by Medicaid. When I'm no longer able

to use my analog aid, I will need to find a way to obtain the SUMO or go

bilateral. Right now my analog hearing aid is set at the medium volume so I

still have some breathing room.

I don't blame you for choosing not to wear a hearing aid all night. Just as

with a CI, your skin (or in this case, your ear canal) needs room to

breathe. When I used skeleton (open shell) earmolds with my BTEs, I still

had problems with ear infections. I imagine this would be even more of a

concern with in the ear aids if they are worn for long periods of time.

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

I'm sorry -- I forgot to answer your second question! The neckloop can be

plugged into an FM receiver or assistive listening device. You will then

need to switch your hearing aid to T-coil mode.

The direct audio input cord has a " boot " (or shoe) which snaps onto the

bottom of your hearing aid. The other end of the cord plugs into an FM

receiver or assistive listening device. Depending on your hearing aid, you

may or may not need to switch to T-coil. Some hearing aids allow you to

switch between the T-coil and hearing aid microphone. Others allow you to

use both at the same time.

Hope this helps!

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

I remember hearing popping and cracking sounds a couple of days after surgery.

Doctor said it was the package they use to pack the CI in that was breaking up.

It did not bother me to talk to people since I was total deaf. I heard nothing

and couldn't tell much difference from the day before surgery and the day after

surgery as far as my hearing went. You might say I had nothing to lose. I had

tinnitus in both ears like freight trains for a few seconds that seems like

minutes to me. This happened several times a day. By the time I was hooked up

with my processors the tinnitus was mild in the right ear but it took longer in

the left ear. I had both ears done at the same time.

Sure hope you feel better now. I am way behind in the digest but hope this helps

someone(your message was two weeks ago).

Sharon Myers

Bilateral CI's

***********************

That's exactly the feeling I'm having. The " head shadow " effect you

had mentioned. Will this go away eventually? It's just so

difficult to talk to people & to try to listen to them because it

seems to hurt to listen.

I've always had a little bit of a problem with tinnitus throughout

my life but now, especially when I try to go to sleep, it comes

across like a roaring sound. So so annoying!!!!

Thanks so much for talking with me about this because I was

beginning to think I was nuts!

Kathi

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! I will be banded on June 7 and I was hoping I will feel

well enough the next day to go to a museum or a park or shopping.

What has been some of your experiences regarding this and does anyone

have any suggestions what to go see? Thanks so much!

Theresa

DOB 6/7/07

[Guest guest]

Thanks to those of you that answered my questions. I have thought of

a few more! Is it customary to tip the driver? What about anyone

else? (other than food servers) Thanks again, you all are great!

Theresa

[Guest guest]

I would definately tip Ernesto, the driver. He is such a sweet, quiet man! He is wonderful! I ususally tip him a $20.00 for the trip but the amount is up to you. Jenniluv_a_wallflower1 <tjuel@...> wrote: Thanks to those of you that answered my questions. I have thought of a few more! Is it customary to tip the driver? What about anyone else? (other than food servers) Thanks again, you all are great!

Theresa

Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on TV.

[Guest guest]

Yes, my group tipped Earnesto (the driver)...I didn't tip anyone else... Good Luck, Renaluv_a_wallflower1 <tjuel@...> wrote: Thanks to those of you that answered my questions. I have thought of a few more! Is it customary to tip the driver? What about anyone else? (other than food servers) Thanks again, you all are great! Theresa

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