Question for , Larry and K.

January 11, 2006

, Larry and K.,

When you had bilateral surgery, did any of you request a tactile interpreter

or other form of communication?

I'm debating whether or not to request a tactile interpreter. As long as my

processor can be secured before during and after surgery, I don't think I

should have any problems with communication. However, if something should

unexpectedly go wrong, I would feel better knowing that I have another way

to communicate. I've decided to bring my Tellatouch device with me just in

case.

I used a tactile interpreter for my first CI surgery, but at that time, I

had no other way to communicate. I would think that as long as my speech

processor is secured, I shouldn't experience any problems.

Do any of you have any comments or suggestions? Thanks! <smile>

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

Surgery date: 2/1/06 Activation date: 3/1/06

(21 days and counting!)

Deafblind/Postlingual

Severe-profound hearing loss since 1995

January 11, 2006

,

Tactile interpreter was available prior to and after surgery. She was great

when I occasionally missed what staff said. I entered operating room with it

on, and the surgery nurse spoke slower and clearly for me til I was out. My

audie was in surgery room during surgery, and he was the one to put the CI

on, adjust it accordingly and wake me up. What a great feeling to wake up to

hear his voice and to know I was alive! After I woke up I was unable to

speak. On the way back to my room I was signing, and my terp interpreted

" Bathroom " , " Sick " and other necessities I had signed. Because I was sick,

it was decided to have me stay overnight and to let my terp go home to rest.

I managed okay with the CI, and the staff made a point of touching my

shoulder or foot to initially get my attention and they spoke slower.

January 11, 2006

P.S. , Your speech discrimination with your CI is better than mine, so

you may do okay with the pre-post-surgery using your CI.

January 11, 2006

When I woke up from my second surgery, I had trouble getting my 3G

magnet to stick because of the big bandage. They finally cut a spot in my

bandage for my 3G magnet to stick and I was in business. If I couldn't have

a family member present during surgery, I would strongly urge you to have

your interpreter present. I really don't believe your tellatouch will be

useful. Larry

Question for , Larry and K.

> , Larry and K.,

>

> When you had bilateral surgery, did any of you request a tactile

> interpreter

> or other form of communication?

>

> I'm debating whether or not to request a tactile interpreter. As long as

> my

> processor can be secured before during and after surgery, I don't think I

> should have any problems with communication. However, if something should

> unexpectedly go wrong, I would feel better knowing that I have another

> way

> to communicate. I've decided to bring my Tellatouch device with me just in

> case.

>

> I used a tactile interpreter for my first CI surgery, but at that time, I

> had no other way to communicate. I would think that as long as my speech

> processor is secured, I shouldn't experience any problems.

>

> Do any of you have any comments or suggestions? Thanks! <smile>

>

> Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G

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

>

> Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

> Surgery date: 2/1/06 Activation date: 3/1/06

> (21 days and counting!)

>

> Deafblind/Postlingual

> Severe-profound hearing loss since 1995

>

January 11, 2006

,

Larry reminded me of another thing. The bandage was put on at a slant,

higher on the BTE side and lower on the newly implanted side to accommodate

the 3G. The problem was the bandage kept sliding down my face. I developed a

rash on my face and I may have been allergic to the tape and thus it would

not stick. The bandage was removed a few hours after surgery and replaced

with a strip of gauge that was repeatedly wrapped around my head on a slant

the same as the bandage, leaving the top of my head bare and this was more

comfortable. You may want to have fresh batteries put in just before the

surgery to ensure you will not have to change the 3G while bandaged.

January 12, 2006

Hi ,

Thanks for your reply!

It sounds like the bandage may have been a little uncomfortable for you to

wear despite trying to angle it in such a way so as not to completely cover

the 3G. However, I'm glad they were able to remove it and replace it with

gauze to help you feel more comfortable.

Since there will be a dressing under the pressure bandage that needs to be

worn for a full day following surgery, my surgeon said I may want to use an

interpreter during the first night I'm in the hospital.

For my own peace of mind, I will request an interpreter and bring my

Tellatouch device as a back up for communication.

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

Surgery date: 2/1/06 Activation date: 3/1/06

(21 days and counting!)

Deafblind/Postlingual

Severe-profound hearing loss since 1995

January 12, 2006

Hi Larry,

My sister will be driving me to the hospital in the morning (surgery is

scheduled for 8:30 a.m., but she will be unable to return until later in the

afternoon. I have two other family members and a friend who will also be

visiting me, but none of them know sign.

Thanks for sharing the idea of cutting a small area of bandage so the magnet

can be worn. I'll have to discuss that with my surgeon.

As for my Tellatouch, I didn't have a need for it during my last hospital

stay, but I felt better having it there just in case I needed something in

the middle of the night.

Knowing how 's Law works, I would have had a reason to use it if I

didn't bring it in the first place. LOL!

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

Surgery date: 2/1/06 Activation date: 3/1/06

(21 days and counting!)

Deafblind/Postlingual

Severe-profound hearing loss since 1995

January 12, 2006

-- I am sure that some of other Bilateral users might chime in on this

question concerning this even though they are not blind or they don't have

visual problems. When I went in for my 2nd implant; I was told by my surgeon I

could not wear my 1st implant ; my hospital didn't ask me if I wanted an

interpreter nor did I think of one (too woozy from the ansthesia). But I did

bring a board with a pen so that people could communicate with me. That worked

out very well for the most part. Some nurses were glad for that mode. When I had

my reimplantation surgery done. It was done at a different hospital; they

offered interp services and I got very crafty . I stuck my 3g magnet over the

bandage and it worked. That impressed my surgeon. I passed that gem along to

Flash . Flash I believed used the interp services and followed my hint on how to

use the 3g magnet. She can tell you all about it. I didn't use the interp

because I really relied on the lip reading and I used the board again but the

next time Ill use the services. They do have to take off the processor because

of the drilling they do on the other side. I believe they don't want to wipe out

your maps or something. Also they do test your new implant (at least they

should). I gave my processor to the surgeon who gave it to the nurse who then

gave it to my cousin. But they do let you wear it up to lights out.

Snoopy

January 12, 2006