Re: losing hearing gradually

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

I know exactly what that's like. My hearing loss was gradual since age 3. At

the time, I only had mild hearing loss and was able to function very well

until age 15 when I received my first pair of hearing aids for a

moderately-severe loss. By the time my hearing loss reached the

severe-profound stage, I could still use a Comtek FM system for a few

years -- until I lost what speech discrimination I had in my right ear (my

left ear had no speech discrimination since 1995).

Even in 2004 when my hearing aid audi told me that I had " very, very little

residual hearing, " I still had doubts as to whether or not I should be

evaluated for a CI. My CI application spent almost a month sitting in a

drawer because I kept telling myself that CIs were for deaf people who

couldn't hear. I still had some hearing in the low frequencies (90 dB at 250

Hz) which was not by my definition " deaf. " Oh, how wrong I was!

When I was evaluated for my first CI, I was shocked to discover how little I

was really hearing and understanding. At the end of my evaluation I nearly

burst into tears because it was such a difficult and emotional " reality

check. "

I maintained my status as a hard of hearing person to the point where I used

my Comtek FM system to help me hear environmental sounds. I had all kinds of

microphones attached to my FM system which probably made me look pretty

strange. When I think about going through all of that effort just to hear

environmental sounds, it makes me realize just how ridiculous it was. The

fact was, I couldn't hear, but I didn't have the heart to admit it.

Even after I was declared a good CI candidate, I still had some doubts as to

whether or not I was making the right decision. Being told I was a CI

candidate was a mixed blessing. On one hand, I was elated because it meant

my frustration with being unable to hear would finally come to an end (after

hard work in learning how to hear with a CI). On the other, I felt saddened

because I knew I had reached the end of the road where amplification and FM

systems were concerned.

Only when my CI was activated did I truly begin to understand how much I had

been missing. For the first time in 20 years I could hear birds singing,

footsteps, consonants, traffic -- and my own voice.

As time went on, the quality and quantity of sounds that I heard improved.

With each day, I heard more and more which further convinced me of the fact

that I had made the right decision to be implanted.

Even now that I have bilateral CIs, there are *still* days where I'm in

complete awe over what I hear. If a person can function well with hearing

aids, great! If they cannot and are really struggling, then it's time to

look into the CI.

Whenever people have asked me about whether or not they should be evaluated

for a CI, I always tell them to go for it. After all, they have nothing to

lose and everything to gain.

If I were you, I'd arrange for an evaluation. It's so easy to hold onto the

very little hearing one has, but there comes a point in time where that

hearing just isn't usable. By being evaluated for a CI, you might be

surprised to realize just how much you are really missing.

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

Implanted: 2/1/06 Activated: 3/1/06

Deafblind/Postlingual

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

When was the last time you had an evaluation done at a CI center? 2

years ago was it? If that is the case then the answer is real simple. Get

a new evaluation.

My first evaluation wa sin 1997 I think, and didnt quite meet the

criteria at that time. My hearing kept getting worse, new aids didnt work

for me for long and I finally got a CI in 2000.

So get in there and get a new evaluation which will answer your

question.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

Hello Jerome

I lost my hearing gradually over a 28 year period. Thats how long I

had/have worn hearing aids for. I was apprehensive about going for a

C.I. because I knew that it was almost certain that I would lose

whatever residual hearing I still had left, in the ear to be

implanted.

I was introduced to someone who had received a C.I. a few months

earlier and I told her that I thought I was still " getting by " Ok

with my hearing aids. She said that getting by, wasnt living. I could

see how well she was doing with her implant and when she told me

about being able to hear her grandchildren for the first time and of

being able to go to the cinema and theatre, my mind was made up.

I went ahead with the op and it was only AFTER I had been implanted

and the three weeks wait before activation, that I could see how

totally useless my one hearing aid was. And this was my GOOD ear, I

had the bad one implanted. Admitted, there wasnt much to choose from

with my ears, they were as bad as each other.

I always use the criteria of " Can you hear better than you could with

hearing aids " , to anyone that first gets activated. The answer to

this is almost certainly yes. I KNOW that in most cases things will

improve for a long time to come, with new mappings and changes of

speeds and programmes etc.

On activation, that very day, I could straight away hear better than

I could with hearing aids. From then on, things just got better and

better. Just simple things like someone standing behind me and

talking to me and me hearing every word they say, is something I

could never do with hearing aids. In fact, even with my pretty good

lip reading skills, I still would have problems face to face with

some people.

If you are unsure whether to go ahead with the operation or not, ask

your audi to introduce you to someone who has recently been

implanted, it could change your life.

I must stress the things that were told to me prior to implantation,

that there are no guarantees and that we are all different. But in

Australia, the C.I. team that are working with me have been fabulous.

They told me beforehand that, given my hearing history, that they

expected a good outcome for me. I also expected a good outcome for

me, because I was prepared to do whatever I had to do, to make things

work well. Even if that meant doing what I was told for a while :-).

I wish you the best of luck with your decision.

Ted F.

>

> Hi there,

>

> I wonder if anyone has this kind of feeling... that when your

> hearing is gradually losing, sometimes you just don't know whether

> you should go for CI or not because you don't realize how much

> you're losing...

>

> Regards,

> Jerome

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for your reply. But unfortunately the " standard " is different here,

I'm from Philippines. Most would think being a total deaf before they can

get CI.

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/10/06, <rclark0276@...> wrote:

>

> Jerome,

> When was the last time you had an evaluation done at a CI center? 2

> years ago was it? If that is the case then the answer is real simple. Get

> a new evaluation.

>

> My first evaluation wa sin 1997 I think, and didnt quite meet the

> criteria at that time. My hearing kept getting worse, new aids didnt work

> for me for long and I finally got a CI in 2000.

>

> So get in there and get a new evaluation which will answer your

> question.

>

> *---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

> Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@... <rclark0276%40charter.net>

> http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ted,

Your post is insightful. And you got it right what I wanted to say. Yes the

gradual hearing loss gives me very strong feeling of " I might be fine since

I can get by... " I don't realize what I'm missing since I lost it little by

little.

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/10/06, Ted F. <ted.fletcher@...> wrote:

>

> Hello Jerome

>

> I lost my hearing gradually over a 28 year period. Thats how long I

> had/have worn hearing aids for. I was apprehensive about going for a

> C.I. because I knew that it was almost certain that I would lose

> whatever residual hearing I still had left, in the ear to be

> implanted.

>

> I was introduced to someone who had received a C.I. a few months

> earlier and I told her that I thought I was still " getting by " Ok

> with my hearing aids. She said that getting by, wasnt living. I could

> see how well she was doing with her implant and when she told me

> about being able to hear her grandchildren for the first time and of

> being able to go to the cinema and theatre, my mind was made up.

>

> I went ahead with the op and it was only AFTER I had been implanted

> and the three weeks wait before activation, that I could see how

> totally useless my one hearing aid was. And this was my GOOD ear, I

> had the bad one implanted. Admitted, there wasnt much to choose from

> with my ears, they were as bad as each other.

>

> I always use the criteria of " Can you hear better than you could with

> hearing aids " , to anyone that first gets activated. The answer to

> this is almost certainly yes. I KNOW that in most cases things will

> improve for a long time to come, with new mappings and changes of

> speeds and programmes etc.

>

> On activation, that very day, I could straight away hear better than

> I could with hearing aids. From then on, things just got better and

> better. Just simple things like someone standing behind me and

> talking to me and me hearing every word they say, is something I

> could never do with hearing aids. In fact, even with my pretty good

> lip reading skills, I still would have problems face to face with

> some people.

>

> If you are unsure whether to go ahead with the operation or not, ask

> your audi to introduce you to someone who has recently been

> implanted, it could change your life.

>

> I must stress the things that were told to me prior to implantation,

> that there are no guarantees and that we are all different. But in

> Australia, the C.I. team that are working with me have been fabulous.

> They told me beforehand that, given my hearing history, that they

> expected a good outcome for me. I also expected a good outcome for

> me, because I was prepared to do whatever I had to do, to make things

> work well. Even if that meant doing what I was told for a while :-).

>

> I wish you the best of luck with your decision.

>

> Ted F.

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi there,

> >

> > I wonder if anyone has this kind of feeling... that when your

> > hearing is gradually losing, sometimes you just don't know whether

> > you should go for CI or not because you don't realize how much

> > you're losing...

> >

> > Regards,

> > Jerome

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

Are there other clinics you can go to? Is this a standard set by your

clinic or all of them? You said " Most would think being a total deaf before

they can get CI. " Is that in fact the case?

If you are at the point where hearing aids dont help,. you need to get

proactive.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

I filled out an application that said, " In Case Of Emergency Notify " . I

wrote " Doctor " ... What's my mother going to do?

--

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

It's hard to say when hearing aids help or when hearing aids do not help in

my case. I lose hearing gradually, up to what point would I say hearing aids

don't help?

Hearing aids do help me, it's better to have hearing aids than none. Is that

the definition of " hearing aid helps? "

But there are situations where I cannot function even with hearing aids,

especially when I talk with female with high pitch voice, I understand 0%.

We only have 1 clinic here. Yes, that's for the entire Philippines. Only 2

doctors can implant...

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/11/06, <rclark0276@...> wrote:

>

> Jerome,

> Are there other clinics you can go to? Is this a standard set by your

> clinic or all of them? You said " Most would think being a total deaf

> before

> they can get CI. " Is that in fact the case?

>

> If you are at the point where hearing aids dont help,. you need to get

> proactive.

>

> *---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

> I filled out an application that said, " In Case Of Emergency Notify " . I

> wrote " Doctor " ... What's my mother going to do?

> --

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@... <rclark0276%40charter.net>

> http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jerome,

You really need to insist on the implant. Sure, the hearing aids are

helping. They helped me, but the CI is so much better. It's like the

difference between night and day. Have the CI center evaluate you and show

you your scores-- particularly the speech discrimination test that you do

with hearing aids. Before going, be sure to read up on the criteria for

implanting. I think you can find it on the Cochlear website. Print it out.

Have everything with you that you will need to make your case that you meet

the criteria (assuming you do). At my CI center, it was speech

discrimination of 50% or less bilaterally under best aided conditions, but

the actual criteria allows you a little more hearing than that.

Lynn

Fairhope, AL

Nucleus Freedom

Surgery date: 9/6/06

Activation date: 9/27/06

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Jerome Tan

Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 5:01 AM

Subject: Re: losing hearing gradually

It's hard to say when hearing aids help or when hearing aids do not help in

my case. I lose hearing gradually, up to what point would I say hearing aids

don't help?

Hearing aids do help me, it's better to have hearing aids than none. Is that

the definition of " hearing aid helps? "

But there are situations where I cannot function even with hearing aids,

especially when I talk with female with high pitch voice, I understand 0%.

We only have 1 clinic here. Yes, that's for the entire Philippines. Only 2

doctors can implant...

Regards,

Jerome

>

>

..

<http://geo./serv?s=97359714/grpId=7962067/grpspId=1705013490/msgId

=50619/stime=1165835341/nc1=3848432/nc2=2/nc3=3>

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

Lynn made a very good suggestion. Find out exactly what the criteria is

that the clinic uses. Get it in writing.

Still got your test scores from last time? Think things have changed a

lot? Do you feel that you need a CI now? Only yuou can determine that. So

get the criteria.

You asked, " Is that the definition of " hearing aid helps? "

Only you can answer that question. Get a new evaluation after you find

out what the clinic is using for criteria.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

UFO's are real. It's the Air Force that doesn't exist!

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

,

Here's another thing I want to bring up about my hearing capability.

When you give me a text about what the speaker is saying, I can tell which

part of the text the speaker is saying, but when I don't have a text to read

and just purely listening, I can't understand what's being said...

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/12/06, <rclark0276@...> wrote:

>

> Jerome,

> Lynn made a very good suggestion. Find out exactly what the criteria is

> that the clinic uses. Get it in writing.

>

> Still got your test scores from last time? Think things have changed a

> lot? Do you feel that you need a CI now? Only yuou can determine that. So

> get the criteria.

>

> You asked, " Is that the definition of " hearing aid helps? "

>

> Only you can answer that question. Get a new evaluation after you find

> out what the clinic is using for criteria.

>

> *---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

> UFO's are real. It's the Air Force that doesn't exist!

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@... <rclark0276%40charter.net>

> http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

I understand that completely. I went thru that, as well as most

everyone else here. But you still need to go back the clinic and get a

current evaluation.

The CI is not magic, it wont give you instant hearing. But when hearing

aids no longer do the job, its time to think about the CI. Again, if you

feel the hearing aids dont help, then go back to the clinic. Like I said

earlier, find out what their policy is. You were told you ahve to be

totally deaf. Is that in print? Is that their policy? You need to get

proactive.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Is boneless chicken considered to be an invertebrate?

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

Jerome, from what you have told us, you certainly sound like a

candidate for a C.I. If you have up to date hearing aids and they still

arent helping you much, you aren't coping. I too couldnt hear or

understand childrens or womens voices prior to my implant.

Do as others have suggested and request another appraisal, tell them

that you think you now meet the criteria to be a candidate. Best of

luck, but it starts with YOU.

Ted F.

>

> Here's another thing I want to bring up about my hearing capability.

>

> When you give me a text about what the speaker is saying, I can tell

> which part of the text the speaker is saying, but when I don't have a

> text to read and just purely listening, I can't understand what's

> being said...

>

> Regards,

> Jerome

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Just got back. I've no hearing above 2khz. and those within speech range, it

was above 90db.

I'm good at 250hertz since I can hear at 65 to 70db. But above that, it's

not useful.

The only problem now would be the funding since we don't have insurance

here. Then hopefully I could have my implant next year.

Comparing my hearing now and 2 years ago, it's almost similar, with today's

hearing worse by 5 to 10db in average. So I'm losing gradually.

I plan to have my left ear implanted. I'll have CT scan and MRI scan soon

too, since the one I got 2 years ago might no longer be valid.

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/12/06, Ted F. <ted.fletcher@...> wrote:

>

> Jerome, from what you have told us, you certainly sound like a

> candidate for a C.I. If you have up to date hearing aids and they still

> arent helping you much, you aren't coping. I too couldnt hear or

> understand childrens or womens voices prior to my implant.

>

> Do as others have suggested and request another appraisal, tell them

> that you think you now meet the criteria to be a candidate. Best of

> luck, but it starts with YOU.

>

> Ted F.

>

>

> >

> > Here's another thing I want to bring up about my hearing capability.

> >

> > When you give me a text about what the speaker is saying, I can tell

> > which part of the text the speaker is saying, but when I don't have a

> > text to read and just purely listening, I can't understand what's

> > being said...

> >

> > Regards,

> > Jerome

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It sounds like you are off and running, Jerome.

Are you in receipt of a disability pension at all? I was wondering

whether there were any Government schemes in Singapore that could

assist you financially.

At least you know now, that you meet the criteria.

Ted F.

> > >

> > > Here's another thing I want to bring up about my hearing

capability.

> > >

> > > When you give me a text about what the speaker is saying, I can

tell

> > > which part of the text the speaker is saying, but when I don't

have a

> > > text to read and just purely listening, I can't understand

what's

> > > being said...

> > >

> > > Regards,

> > > Jerome

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm from Philippines... no such government schemes here.

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/12/06, Ted F. <ted.fletcher@...> wrote:

>

> It sounds like you are off and running, Jerome.

>

> Are you in receipt of a disability pension at all? I was wondering

> whether there were any Government schemes in Singapore that could

> assist you financially.

>

> At least you know now, that you meet the criteria.

>

> Ted F.

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Here's another thing I want to bring up about my hearing

> capability.

> > > >

> > > > When you give me a text about what the speaker is saying, I can

> tell

> > > > which part of the text the speaker is saying, but when I don't

> have a

> > > > text to read and just purely listening, I can't understand

> what's

> > > > being said...

> > > >

> > > > Regards,

> > > > Jerome

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

Good luck on all fronts. It wont be too long now and you will enjoy

hearing what you have been missing for so long.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

If all those psychics know the winning lottery numbers, why are they all

still working?

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

thanks a lot. this list is very helpful to me.

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/13/06, <rclark0276@...> wrote:

>

> Jerome,

> Good luck on all fronts. It wont be too long now and you will enjoy

> hearing what you have been missing for so long.

>

> *---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

> If all those psychics know the winning lottery numbers, why are they all

> still working?

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@... <rclark0276%40charter.net>

> http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jerome I am just curious what type of health insurance do you have in the

Philippines. One of my bosses loves your country and tries to visit as much as

possible. She says the pineapples are the best she has ever had.

Connie

Jerome Tan <tan.jerome@...> wrote:

I'm from Philippines... no such government schemes here.

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/12/06, Ted F. <ted.fletcher@...> wrote:

>

> It sounds like you are off and running, Jerome.

>

> Are you in receipt of a disability pension at all? I was wondering

> whether there were any Government schemes in Singapore that could

> assist you financially.

>

> At least you know now, that you meet the criteria.

>

> Ted F.

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Here's another thing I want to bring up about my hearing

> capability.

> > > >

> > > > When you give me a text about what the speaker is saying, I can

> tell

> > > > which part of the text the speaker is saying, but when I don't

> have a

> > > > text to read and just purely listening, I can't understand

> what's

> > > > being said...

> > > >

> > > > Regards,

> > > > Jerome

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

we have insurance for hospital but there are some deductibles so they don't

shoulder 100%. for ci, we don't have any insurance that covers them.

yes, we have the best pineapples. =)

Regards,

Jerome

On 12/13/06, C J <cjcj05@...> wrote:

>

> Jerome I am just curious what type of health insurance do you have in

> the Philippines. One of my bosses loves your country and tries to visit as

> much as possible. She says the pineapples are the best she has ever had.

>

> Connie

>

> Jerome Tan <tan.jerome@... <tan.jerome%40gmail.com>> wrote:

> I'm from Philippines... no such government schemes here.

>

> Regards,

> Jerome

>

> On 12/12/06, Ted F. <ted.fletcher@... <ted.fletcher%40lycos.com>>

> wrote:

> >

> > It sounds like you are off and running, Jerome.

> >

> > Are you in receipt of a disability pension at all? I was wondering

> > whether there were any Government schemes in Singapore that could

> > assist you financially.

> >

> > At least you know now, that you meet the criteria.

> >

> > Ted F.

> >

> >

> > > > >

> > > > > Here's another thing I want to bring up about my hearing

> > capability.

> > > > >

> > > > > When you give me a text about what the speaker is saying, I can

> > tell

> > > > > which part of the text the speaker is saying, but when I don't

> > have a

> > > > > text to read and just purely listening, I can't understand

> > what's

> > > > > being said...

> > > > >

> > > > > Regards,

> > > > > Jerome

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >