Upgrades

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone, I rudely posted a question about 10 days ago without ever

bothering to introduce myself or to explain where I am in this lifetime trek in

obtaining the best possible man made hearing. I did get one reply to my

question from Michele and I was very grateful. So here goes.

I recently celebrated my 14th anniversary for my original hook up date for my

Nucleus 22. I was totally deaf (from unknown cause just lots of possibles like

auto immune inner ear disease) just 7 months before the surgery. It was very

similar to lots of your individual stories...I understood speech immediately,

the munchkin voices changed to normal by day's end. And life went on. Recently

I was upgraded to the Contour 3 G since the Freedom is not available as yet for

compatitbility with Nucleus 22 surgery. It has just been 2 weeks since this

upgrade but it does not seem to be moving well at all. I had my first mapping on

the 11th....the audi did not see me again until the 19th...the next appt. is

5/4. I am having a horrid time. I am so depressed and withdrawn from people

which is so opposite my normal personality.

I read all of your emails and am most surprised on how much you know about your

mapping. Does your audi's share these with you? When I forward on suggestions

I feel I am meeting resistance with the audiologist. I found my first

audiologist online who is at Duke U....she graciously gave some pointers for me

to take with me last time but how do we know if they were done? Any words of

wisdom are welcome. Thank you.

________________________________________

PeoplePC Online

A better way to Internet

http://www.peoplepc.com

[Guest guest]

My first 2 audies were absolutely fabulous at educating me as much as they

could each and every time I was mapped. Of course I could never understand all

the details of most of the mapping strategies like an audiologist would, but

they answered my questions enough so that I could convernse with them in a way

that was satisfying to me.

My current audie does not like to share what she does when she changes things

in my map but she does an excellent job. I get a bit frustrated when I don't

get the communication from her that I got from my previous audies, but I have

decided to come to terms with that because at almost 6 years down the road, I

just don't need to know as much as I used to.

There are definitely basic things that are worth knowing, IMHO. Things such

as comfort levels, threshold levels, maxima, and speed. This way when your

audie changes one of these basic things (in the ACE strategy), you can identify

how it changes what you hear.

If you are not happy with your audie, don't hesitate to find another one.

They are there for YOU and not the other way around.

In a message dated 4/24/2006 11:53:16 AM Eastern Standard Time,

Pamela_Car@... writes:

I read all of your emails and am most surprised on how much you know about

your mapping. Does your audi's share these with you? When I forward on

suggestions I feel I am meeting resistance with the audiologist. I found my

first

audiologist online who is at Duke U....she graciously gave some pointers for me

to take with me last time but how do we know if they were done? Any words of

wisdom are welcome. Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Pam,

What do you mean by the statement that " it is not moving well at all " ? and what

is depressing you about this upgrade?

Please tell more about your situation. I'm truly sorry you're having so many

problems.

Pam (in Alaska --not " the original " , I think there may be 3 of us now or maybe

you are the original!! smile!)

Re: upgrades

Hello everyone, I rudely posted a question about 10 days ago without ever

bothering to introduce myself or to explain where I am in this lifetime trek in

obtaining the best possible man made hearing. I did get one reply to my

question from Michele and I was very grateful. So here goes.

I recently celebrated my 14th anniversary for my original hook up date for my

Nucleus 22. I was totally deaf (from unknown cause just lots of possibles like

auto immune inner ear disease) just 7 months before the surgery. It was very

similar to lots of your individual stories...I understood speech immediately,

the munchkin voices changed to normal by day's end. And life went on. Recently

I was upgraded to the Contour 3 G since the Freedom is not available as yet for

compatitbility with Nucleus 22 surgery. It has just been 2 weeks since this

upgrade but it does not seem to be moving well at all.

[Guest guest]

Pam,

There is an internet list that I started long ago here on groups

for N22 users. I don't think any one of them has not upgraded to the

3G so they should be able to help you. Would you like me to set you

up on that list?

Alice

http://www..com

[Guest guest]

OH my gosh yes Alice that would be just great. I really appreciate it. just

let me know what I need to do. Thanks again.

Re: upgrades

>

>Pam,

>

>There is an internet list that I started long ago here on groups

>for N22 users. I don't think any one of them has not upgraded to the

>3G so they should be able to help you. Would you like me to set you

>up on that list?

>

>Alice

>http://www..com

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pam, thank you for explaining your situation. It all makes sense to me now. I

wonder why you can't turn your processor down? You should be able to turn down

either a volume map or a sensitivity map. I know that once my audi forgot to

fix the map so I could turn it down/adjust it and it was awful just awful! I

went to Costco and the sound of the carts was so loud I had to turn the

processor off. She was very apologetic and fixed it for me as soon as I

complained very loudly. I have to say that sometimes the newer audis want to

appear very confident but they don't always get everything done as efficiently

as the more experienced people. Therefore just keep complaining until you get

things right. It is, after all, your life and your hearing!

Thanks again,

Pam (in Alaska)

Re: Re: upgrades

Hi again thanks for your response. I thought I had prepared myself for this

upgrade. Everyone told me how different and difficult it would be at the

beginning. One can't help but to compare to their initial hook up at a time

like this. But not having anyone to compare to I am unsure if my expectations

are too high for this upgrade. The only setting that I can understand speech is

in a closed room with no type of background noise at all. Since I cannot turn

this processor down like I could the Nucleus I have to just turn it off when in

a setting like the grocery. Last night I went to Curves and could not

understand a single word of any conversation that was directed right to me

within 4 feet. I guess what I am looking for is someone else who went from the

Nucleus 22 to a 3 G and a time frame. I am a pretty social person and I find

myself avoiding all gatherings. I am running a blood drive for this Monday and

I am so worried about the communication issue. Most will be strangers donating

for a mutual friend so they will not know about the hearing problems I have. It

has been 2 weeks today sine I got the 3 G and to me it seems to get a little

worse daily instead of better. I know that this seems very petty to

some...thinking well at least she hears something. I know this...but to have

had a fairly successful use of an implant for 14 years this drop in speech has

just been harder than I imagined. I am not a wimp or a quitter I just wanted to

find someone who has been this route before. Thanks so much for writing.

[Guest guest]

Pam,

You should have received the invitation by now. Please let me know

if you are all set with this.

Alice

http://www..com

>

> OH my gosh yes Alice that would be just great. I really

appreciate it. just let me know what I need to do. Thanks again.

>

> Re: upgrades

> >

> >Pam,

> >

> >There is an internet list that I started long ago here on

groups

> >for N22 users. I don't think any one of them has not upgraded to

the

> >3G so they should be able to help you. Would you like me to set

you

> >up on that list?

> >

> >Alice

> >http://www..com

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam

Sorry for the delay in posting I am behind again, still, whatever -

lol I think you have already gotten some replies to your post and I am

sure you will get more. Don't worry you were not rude an introduction

is not required, it's nice but posting your question and getting

answers are the important thing ;-))

1st of all you need to make sure your Audi is explaining everything to

you properly, and taking the time required to do so, you are paying

good money for their services and you deserve that. We all know these

folks are busy and it is hard for them to take the time with every

patient at every visit, but if you need a better explanation of

something make sure they don't brush you off. We are always here to

help, and sometimes we can even be more helpful than an Audi, we share

the same experience most Audi's don't truly know what it feels like to

be deaf, or HOH so it is not as easy for them to relate, having said

that they still should make sure you understand what they are doing

and can do for you.

With regard to the frequency and number of appointments, that varies

so much from patient to patient and it depends on what you feel you

need, if you think you should return sooner call and move the

appointment closer. I suspect the Audi uses a general schedule for

most patients and unless you ask for something different you get what

ever fits their normal plan. You need to speak up if you feel you need

more frequent mapping or more information at the session, and ask the

Audi to explain what they are doing. I watch everything my Audi does

on her computer screen and I ask tons of questions, that is how I

learned much of what I know now about mapping, and it has helped me a

great deal. Some Audi's encourage that type of thing and others may

not, if you have real problems you can always look for a new Audi, it

is your hearing and you deserve the best!

Regards

Mike " Ears Hopin " P

Implanted June 3rd, 2005

Activated July 6th, 2005

Nucleus Freedom

Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 11:51:27 -0400 (GMT-04:00)

From: Pam <Pamela_Car@...>

Subject: Re: upgrades

Hello everyone, I rudely posted a question about 10 days ago without

ever bothering to introduce myself or to explain where I am in this

lifetime trek in obtaining the best possible man made hearing. I did

get one reply to my question from Michele and I was very grateful. So

here goes.

I recently celebrated my 14th anniversary for my original hook up date

for my Nucleus 22. I was totally deaf (from unknown cause just lots

of possibles like auto immune inner ear disease) just 7 months before

the surgery. It was very similar to lots of your individual

stories...I understood speech immediately, the munchkin voices changed

to normal by day's end. And life went on. Recently I was upgraded to

the Contour 3 G since the Freedom is not available as yet for

compatitbility with Nucleus 22 surgery. It has just been 2 weeks

since this upgrade but it does not seem to be moving well at all. I

had my first mapping on the 11th....the audi did not see me again

until the 19th...the next appt. is 5/4. I am having a horrid time. I

am so depressed and withdrawn from people which is so opposite my

normal personality.

I read all of your emails and am most surprised on how much you know

about your mapping. Does your audi's share these with you? When I

forward on suggestions I feel I am meeting resistance with the

audiologist. I found my first audiologist online who is at Duke

U....she graciously gave some pointers for me to take with me last

time but how do we know if they were done? Any words of wisdom are

welcome. Thank you.

--

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Checked by AVG Free Edition.

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4/24/2006

[Guest guest]

After reading every email posted to my inquiry I went back to the audi

yesterday. I now have the same map in both programs only one is set for

sensitivity and one is set with volume. Somehow at the first mapping the

control reverted back to volume for both programs. The audi did take a

suggestion from the audi at Duke and set the FAT level differently which seems

to have given me back low tones. Your referral to the carts at the store is so

vivid in my mind. I am sure from reading all the emails that time will play the

biggest factor along with my brain adjusting. Although as yet I have not seen a

time referral the audi said about 2 months. I am trying very hard to be more

open and optimistic with the help of a beer or two:). Thanks for writing. Pam

from Dayton

Re: Re: upgrades

>

>Pam, thank you for explaining your situation. It all makes sense to me now. I

wonder why you can't turn your processor down? You should be able to turn down

either a volume map or a sensitivity map. I know that once my audi forgot to

fix the map so I could turn it down/adjust it and it was awful just awful! I

went to Costco and the sound of the carts was so loud I had to turn the

processor off. She was very apologetic and fixed it for me as soon as I

complained very loudly. I have to say that sometimes the newer audis want to

appear very confident but they don't always get everything done as efficiently

as the more experienced people. Therefore just keep complaining until you get

things right. It is, after all, your life and your hearing!

>

>Thanks again,

>Pam (in Alaska)

>

>

>

> Re: Re: upgrades

>

>

> Hi again thanks for your response. I thought I had prepared myself for this

upgrade. Everyone told me how different and difficult it would be at the

beginning. One can't help but to compare to their initial hook up at a time

like this. But not having anyone to compare to I am unsure if my expectations

are too high for this upgrade. The only setting that I can understand speech is

in a closed room with no type of background noise at all. Since I cannot turn

this processor down like I could the Nucleus I have to just turn it off when in

a setting like the grocery. Last night I went to Curves and could not

understand a single word of any conversation that was directed right to me

within 4 feet. I guess what I am looking for is someone else who went from the

Nucleus 22 to a 3 G and a time frame. I am a pretty social person and I find

myself avoiding all gatherings. I am running a blood drive for this Monday and

I am so worried about the communication issue. Most will be strangers donating

for a mutual friend so they will not know about the hearing problems I have. It

has been 2 weeks today sine I got the 3 G and to me it seems to get a little

worse daily instead of better. I know that this seems very petty to

some...thinking well at least she hears something. I know this...but to have

had a fairly successful use of an implant for 14 years this drop in speech has

just been harder than I imagined. I am not a wimp or a quitter I just wanted to

find someone who has been this route before. Thanks so much for writing.

>

>

>