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[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

First, I would like to begin by thanking Alice for her warm welcome.

I am 61, wife, mother of two daughters, and grandmother of three

grandchildren. I have Ushers IIa. I presently have light perception and am

hearing impaired and losing hearing steadily. I was evaluated at a CI

center in Milwaukee two years ago and tested 64% in my right ear and in the

70% range for the left ear. I need to make another appointment for an

evaluation, because I have lost more hearing. I have been following the

posts for a while , but I am confused.

I would like to know if there is a unique difference in hearing loss

regarding type of disability. For instance, Ushers is a progressive

disease. So where does the residual hearing fit in and will I continue to

lose hearing after the implantation? Also, I love to listen to music,

mainly instrumentals. I understand some can hear music and others not.

again, is this due to the type of hearing loss, or how one adapts to the CI?

Right now my hearing aids (analogue) bring in all environmental noises loud

and clear, but I am having more difficulty with speech comprehension. I

need to wear the aids at nearly full volume in order to understand the

speaker, therefore, making surrounding noises louder. Also, I want to let

you know that I have tried digital hearing aids and could not adapt to them

and they were not very clear. Therefore, since the CI is based on digital

technology, would a CI be difficult for me to adapt and prevent me from

achieving the greatest vocal quality?When I attend church, I use the FM

system and I don't have any problems hearing and understanding the pastor.

So, how do I know when is the proper time to consider a CI?

This question is directed to those who are blind and who have already been

implanted. Are you able to hear conversation in small groups if there is

mild to low background noise? I belong to several groups and the people are

usually considerate of my hearing loss and will refrain from talking all at

once. But sometimes, they become animated and several begin to talk all at

once. I never want to inhibit or destroy the spontaneity of a group

conversation, so don't usually say anything, but regret missing some of the

conversation.

I would like to know if the list would mind bearing with me and allow some

to describe what they could hear before the implantation. I realize that

it would probably be a bit repetitious to most of you. So thank you for

allowing this.

And please, don't mention what brand you have. I will need to make that

choice myself.

Jewell boll