Re: Re: Opting not to go bilateral

[Guest guest]

Dan that too is one of my concerns about going bilateral, however, you may want

to talk with your surgeon about that. My surgeon is going to do a balance test

on me before surgery and apparently from what he said they can tell if my first

CI affected my balance and the other side is making up for it or if my balance

was totally unaffected. If my first side was not affected then I am at no

greater risk than I was when I had my first CI.

Maybe I am not explaining this correctly--sorry.

Connie

Dan and <danshelly@...> wrote:

Hi ,

I have no interest in going bilateral. Much of my initial hesitation

about getting a CI came from a study that said that about 30 or 35% of

people with cochlear implants develop dizziness. I've been implanted

for about 18 months now. My CI works great and I have no dizziness, so

I'm very happy with the results. My thinking is that a second CI would

only marginally improve my hearing, but would increase my risk of being

dizzy for the rest of my life. Since I'm very happy with the results,

why mess with a good thing?

If I was visually impaired, I'd get a second CI so that I could better

locate the source of sound.

Best wishes,

Dan

http://www.hot-tamale.org/ci/

" The Miracle at Ohio State "

aka Nucleus Freedom

Implanted 10/04/2005

Activated 11/1/2005

Surgery: Ohio State University

Surgeon: Dr. Bradley Welling

http://internalmedicine.osu.edu/article.cfm?ID=2021

[Guest guest]

By the way Dan Dr. Welling and Debby are my surgeons and audie also.

Connie

Dan and <danshelly@...> wrote:

Hi ,

I have no interest in going bilateral. Much of my initial hesitation

about getting a CI came from a study that said that about 30 or 35% of

people with cochlear implants develop dizziness. I've been implanted

for about 18 months now. My CI works great and I have no dizziness, so

I'm very happy with the results. My thinking is that a second CI would

only marginally improve my hearing, but would increase my risk of being

dizzy for the rest of my life. Since I'm very happy with the results,

why mess with a good thing?

If I was visually impaired, I'd get a second CI so that I could better

locate the source of sound.

Best wishes,

Dan

http://www.hot-tamale.org/ci/

" The Miracle at Ohio State "

aka Nucleus Freedom

Implanted 10/04/2005

Activated 11/1/2005

Surgery: Ohio State University

Surgeon: Dr. Bradley Welling

http://internalmedicine.osu.edu/article.cfm?ID=2021

[Guest guest]

I see why those who are deaf-blind

would favor a 2nd CI.

There is something else here on which I am curious.

Do deaf-blind CI users, who are bilateral, sleep with one CI turned on?

It would seem totally frightening not to be able to see or hear all night

long in case of fire,

someone breaking in, and all the normal kinds of sounds which stir one

from a normal sleep.

Just curious!

[Guest guest]

Mike,

I am not bilateral but if I was, I still would take both implants off.

There are other ways to handle things by using signaling devices that use

bed shakers/vibrators.

Wearing a CI at night still may not alert one to a burglar. Many people

with normal hearing are not always aware of an intruder.

It comes down to common sense. Lock the doors and windows. Etc.

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

Why do scientists call it research when looking for something new?

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

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

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Being unable to see and hear at night *is* scary -- especially for someone

who is not used to it.

When I first became bilateral, I *was* nervous every time I removed my

processors at night. However, it wasn't long before I started to become

comfortable with the silence. Sometimes I find the silence calming --

especially after a long day of sound. I'm now at the point where total

deafness does not bother me. In fact, I love being able to sleep in peace

and quiet! <smile>

I do not sleep with either of my CIs on. When I'm asleep (or do not have my

processors on during the day) I have an Alertmaster signaling system that

notifies me of the phone, doorbell and fire alarm by means of a vibrating

pager that I wear on my waist. I also have a smoke detector that alerts me

via a vibrating bed shaker.

I feel more secure having a guide dog in my home. If it weren't for Tigger,

I would probably feel a little more uncomfortable removing my processors at

night.

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

Deafblind/Postlingual

[Guest guest]

A couple of follow-up questions:

If Tigger or a shaker woke you up, how long would it take you to get one

of your processors turned on so you could hear what was happening?

Would you feel as comfortable not hearing during the night if you didn't

have a caring loving creature such as Tigger around?

On Mon, 18 Dec 2006, Kozlik wrote:

> Mike,

>

> Being unable to see and hear at night *is* scary -- especially for someone

> who is not used to it.

>

> When I first became bilateral, I *was* nervous every time I removed my

> processors at night. However, it wasn't long before I started to become

> comfortable with the silence. Sometimes I find the silence calming --

> especially after a long day of sound. I'm now at the point where total

> deafness does not bother me. In fact, I love being able to sleep in peace

> and quiet! <smile>

>

> I do not sleep with either of my CIs on. When I'm asleep (or do not have my

> processors on during the day) I have an Alertmaster signaling system that

> notifies me of the phone, doorbell and fire alarm by means of a vibrating

> pager that I wear on my waist. I also have a smoke detector that alerts me

> via a vibrating bed shaker.

>

> I feel more secure having a guide dog in my home. If it weren't for Tigger,

> I would probably feel a little more uncomfortable removing my processors at

> night.

>

>

>

> Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

>

> Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

>

> Deafblind/Postlingual

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Trust me, no matter what we deal with, we learn to deal with it. I am

not speaking for but am sure she would concur, whether we have our dogs

at our sides or not, we learn to adapt to whatever faces us. We do not

dwell on the potential bad things that could... People who do that do not

have a life.

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

Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that why some people appear

bright until you hear them speak?

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

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

[Guest guest]

Do I hear a chorus of " amen " to that?

Deb

--- <rclark0276@...> wrote:

> Mike,

> Trust me, no matter what we deal with, we learn

> to deal with it. I am

> not speaking for but am sure she would concur,

> whether we have our dogs

> at our sides or not, we learn to adapt to whatever

> faces us. We do not

> dwell on the potential bad things that could...

> People who do that do not

> have a life.

>

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

> Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that

> why some people appear

> bright until you hear them speak?

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@...

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

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--- robert, thanks for the info.

<rclark0276@...> wrote:

> Mike,

> Trust me, no matter what we deal with, we learn

> to deal with it. I am

> not speaking for but am sure she would concur,

> whether we have our dogs

> at our sides or not, we learn to adapt to whatever

> faces us. We do not

> dwell on the potential bad things that could...

> People who do that do not

> have a life.

>

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

> Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that

> why some people appear

> bright until you hear them speak?

> & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> Newport, Oregon

> N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

> rclark0276@...

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just a little side note... I am just training with a guide dog/hearing alart

dog and the things that she knows and can do (really without even being

tqaught yet) just amaze me. The other day we went on our first adventure at

night (when I am totally blind) and she knew exactly what to do even though

she was a little nervous it being her first time. Again, it is just amazing

what they can do.

and Jayden (Guide Dog/ Hearing dog - when implant is off or not

working).

On 12/25/06, spider man <jimmyjet37@...> wrote:

>

>

> --- robert, thanks for the info.

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

>

> > Mike,

> > Trust me, no matter what we deal with, we learn

> > to deal with it. I am

> > not speaking for but am sure she would concur,

> > whether we have our dogs

> > at our sides or not, we learn to adapt to whatever

> > faces us. We do not

> > dwell on the potential bad things that could...

> > People who do that do not

> > have a life.

> >

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

> > Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that

> > why some people appear

> > bright until you hear them speak?

> > & Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

> > Newport, Oregon

> > N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

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

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

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

These dogs are amazing indeed. I dont have much reason to go out at

night but when we do, Dreamer just does her job and I leave the driving to

her. And because of that, I can focus more on sounds around me and keep on

top of what is or might be going on. Jayden is a cute name too.

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

Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that why some people appear

bright until you hear them speak?

& Dreamer Doll (Guide Dawggie)

Newport, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

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

[Guest guest]

,

What school are you attending for the training of your guide/hearing dog?

I'm curious because as far as I know, no guide dog schools will train a

guide dog for alert duties. (I attended Leader Dogs for the Blind which has

a program for deafblind students. While they train their dogs to respond to

commands in sign, they do not train the dog for alert duties. If a handler

wants their dog trained in this capacity, they must conduct or arrange this

kind of training themselves.) After Tigger retires, I plan to have my next

guide dog trained for guide work and alert duties.

I agree with you about how amazing service dogs are. Tigger is my second

guide dog and I'm *still* amazed at everything these dogs can do!

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

Deafblind/Postlingual

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am from PA and I looked at a variety of guide dog schools. However, I am

not legally blind (except for at night when I see nothing at all) but the

schools that I talked to said that they would not train a dog until I was

legally blind --( I said to my mom at one point -- Hello, I have RP they

know that I will be blind one day what is the big deal). Anyway. My Aunt and

Uncle knew a private trainer in the area who trains service and therapy

dogs. He has trained many hearing dogs (and is training Jayden and another

dog right now as hearing dogs) and has also trained many Guide Dogs. So He

said that he was up for the challenge and would train a dog for me to do

both. It has been amazing because Jayden just seems to know when I need her

to alart to sounds (which is much more now due to my CI not working) and

when I need her to guide. If you are anywhere in PA I could get you in

contact with him or see if he knows anyone out where you are.

A little side note on her name. Jayden means " God Hears " and when I was

researching names someone that I worked with told me that Simon meant God

Hears and so if I was getting a boy dog it would have been Simon. But after

I researched it I found that Jayden meant the same thing and because she was

a gift from God who would be hearing for me it just seemed to fit. The other

choice that I thought about was Cecilia which means blind. And a funny story

about how we met Jayden actually picked me. The trainer, myself and my aunt

and uncle went to the breader a little while away from us. I was introduced

to two dogs and then the trainer said that both seemed like they would work

and that I sound pick one. I said that it was not fair that I could not

choose between the two at which point Jayden picked up my purse and started

walking to the door. That was it. She was mine. We have been training now

since last January and she is almost there. She is only 16 months but we are

working on alot of stuff. She will be coming to school with me to student

teach starting in January so it should be interesting (I will keep you all

posted.)

and Jayden

On 12/28/06, Kozlik <lisak70@...> wrote:

>

> ,

>

> What school are you attending for the training of your guide/hearing dog?

> I'm curious because as far as I know, no guide dog schools will train a

> guide dog for alert duties. (I attended Leader Dogs for the Blind which

> has

> a program for deafblind students. While they train their dogs to respond

> to

> commands in sign, they do not train the dog for alert duties. If a handler

> wants their dog trained in this capacity, they must conduct or arrange

> this

> kind of training themselves.) After Tigger retires, I plan to have my next

> guide dog trained for guide work and alert duties.

>

> I agree with you about how amazing service dogs are. Tigger is my second

> guide dog and I'm *still* amazed at everything these dogs can do!

>

>

>

> Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

>

> Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

>

> Deafblind/Postlingual

>

>

>