Expectations and more

[Guest guest]

Hi Ted:

It is my opinion that this CI has delivered far more than any hearing aid

ever has - and I wore hearing aids for 50+ years! My last hearing aid that

I wore with the CI was the AVR Transposition hearing aid. I forget it's

exact name - IMPact comes to mind. Anyway, the way it worked was that it

took the frequencies that I didn't hear and bent them down into the

frequency range where I still had hearing. At first I did not like it, but

over time I found it complimented the sounds I received with the implant. I

really missed it when I was unable to wear it due to a vertigo condition

called Tullio's Phenomenon and Meniere's Disease.

With regard to the telecoil, yesterday I was going thru some old pictures

and found one taken of me talking on the phone with my toddler trying to get

my attention. I was standing with the handset upside down pressed against

the body processor tucked into my bra! Now those were the days! (You have

to be of a certain generation to appreciate this!) I grew up using the

telecoil when I was on the phone, so I still prefer to use the telecoil. I

can use the phone without it, but I have to concentrate more to do so. It

just has become so automatic to reach up for the telecoil switch that I

don't even think about it.

Someone asked about what might interfere with the telecoil. I found that

the old non-flat computer screens emit a horrible buzzing sound, so I now

only use the flat screen monitor. The other things that might bother are

televisions, the microwave and any other household items that have motors.

Just know where they are and avoid them is all I do. Like said, a

good phone with a telecoil compatible handset is a must! Not all phones are

created equal, so you have to experiment. I work for a non-profit agency

that also provides phones for the state program for hard of hearing. Some

cordless phones have been modified so they have a stronger telecoil.

People using amplification alone do not find them helpful, because they

usually do not have a lot of amplification compared to a corded telephone.

We live at a time when technology has come along to the point where we have

many options. While we may still feel it has a ways to go, remembering back

not that many years ago when there were so FEW options, we should pause

sometimes and be grateful for the advances we now enjoy and continue to push

for more!.

Warmly,

Carol