Question from a new member

[Guest guest]

I am scheduled for a cochlear implant on June 24, at the Cochlear Implant Center

in New York. I am so grateful to have the resources of this group. I have

learned a lot in just a few weeks and wanted to introduce myself. My name is

, I am 66, and I experienced gradual hearing loss (probably genetic)for

about 20 years. Last winter my hearing collapsed completely, so the decision

about whether to get an implant was made for me. I have read as much as I can

find in books, on the web etc. I gather than patience, perseverance and

realistic expectations are key. But I would be very grateful to hear any

personal experiences that might help an implantee-in-waiting such as myself. I

am especially interested in coping techniques, and in unpleasant surprises that

may await -- not that I am a negative person, but it helps if I know what to

expect. I know many posts deal with exactly these questions, but I thought I

would check in. Many thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hey, - Welcome in - and congratulations. Assuming you mean NYU by

" Cochlear Implant Center in NY " - You are in excellent hands - both docs are

excellent (I had Dr. Roland and my good friend had Dr. Luwanni). The

audiologists are all very good, and they are who you will be working with the

most.

It's difficult to cope with no hearing - a pad and pencil with you at all

times will make things a little easier. Just hand it to whomever you are

speaking with and let them write answers. If you are going to Tisch for the

surgery - you might want to put a sign over your bed. " DEAF - Please get my

attention before speaking to me and write any instructions " Would you

believe they called me over the speaker just after my surgery? Hubby was in the

room and went to the nurses station to read them the riot act! LOL At home

- (and in the hospital for that matter) don't lay completely flat. Some

elevation with a few pillows will help you feel better sooner. Some people

sleep in a recliner for a week or so - though I didn't find it necessary. You

may have a little dizziness the first few days - just move slowly. Ask the

anesthesiologist to put something in your IV for nausea - it really works

and limits the amount of nausea you may have. Sorry this is a little

disjointed - woshing you all the very best! Jackie )

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have an AB implant but just thought I'd say that I, personally, had no

problems at all after the operation. None. Not even pain other than a bit

of tenderness at the incision. I know others have experienced some

discomforts and I'm sure you'll hear from them. I did understand speech

when activated but not well. It's improved a great deal over the last 3 1/2

years, though, and I hear pretty well now.

Virg

> I'd like to introduce myself, and ask for advice. My name is , I'm

> 66, and I'm scheduled to get a Nucleus Freedom implant in my right ear at

> NYU this Wednesday, June 24. Surgeon is Dr. Roland. I have been reading

> for a while and find it incredibly helpful. With my surgery date

> almost here, I'd be very grateful for any tips, coping techniques,

> personal experiences or even possible problems to watch out for between

> the surgery and activation at the end of July. I have already gotten a

> lot of helpful advice by reading the posts regularly but I thought I would

> reach out, introduce myself and ask if anyone has experiences they would

> like to share. By way of background, my hearing started to slide about 20

> years ago, which is normal in male members of my family. For unknown

> reasons it started to get really bad about three years ago. Last summer,

> in the words of my audi, it went off a cliff. I use hearing aids and an

> FM system and will continue to wear a hearing aid in my left ear, where I

> have a very small but useful amount of residual hearing. Thanks very

> much.

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hiya, - Welcome in and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I

think the biggest thing with the surgery is that head surgery almost always

causes nausea. I'd ask the anesthesiologist to put something in your IV to

help with that. I've had @ 10 surgeries in the last 2 and a half years, and

believe me, it helps! Plan to spend the first week recouperating - resting,

and no lifting of over 5 pounds. That may be it for you. Some get dizzy

for short periods of time, but it does go away. With the hearing aid in the

other ear, you will get by this time with minimal disruption. I carried a

pad and paper with me just in case. If you have minimal expectations and

don't expect to have perfect hearing overnight once you are activated, you

won't be disappointed. Most of us take a few months to a year to get speech

discrimination. If you hear perfectly on the day of activation, don't tell us!

Because we will have to be mad at you, just like we are at pregnant women

who are skinny the day after giving birth! LOL As far as your surgeon - I

can vouch for him and you can tell him I said so. Dr. Roland did my

reimplant (very rare) and my bilateral and he is amazing. The audiologists at

NYU

are terrific. If you are using Bill Shapiro - you can get on his good side

by telling him you love the Yankees. Do NOT mention the Red Socks! LOL

Seriously - you are in excellent hands. My name is Jackie Flashnick - and you

may use my name. They wouldn't dare screw up if they know I'm watching!

LOL All the very best! Jackie )

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Congrats on your surgery date. I'm still waiting on insurance...

Meanwhile, I found this link for " Pre/Post CI Surgery Tips " on another forum. I

haven't " been there done that " myself so I'm hoping those that have might weigh

in on how thorough/accurate this list of tips is...

http://www.alldeaf.com/hearing-aids-cochlear-implants/57860-pre-post-ci-surgery-\

tips.html

>

> Hiya, - Welcome in and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I

> think the biggest thing with the surgery is that head surgery almost always

> causes nausea. I'd ask the anesthesiologist to put something in your IV to

> help with that. I've had @ 10 surgeries in the last 2 and a half years, and

> believe me, it helps! Plan to spend the first week recouperating - resting,

> and no lifting of over 5 pounds. That may be it for you. Some get dizzy

> for short periods of time, but it does go away. With the hearing aid in the

> other ear, you will get by this time with minimal disruption. I carried a

> pad and paper with me just in case. If you have minimal expectations and

> don't expect to have perfect hearing overnight once you are activated, you

> won't be disappointed. Most of us take a few months to a year to get speech

> discrimination. If you hear perfectly on the day of activation, don't tell

us!

> Because we will have to be mad at you, just like we are at pregnant women

> who are skinny the day after giving birth! LOL As far as your surgeon - I

> can vouch for him and you can tell him I said so. Dr. Roland did my

> reimplant (very rare) and my bilateral and he is amazing. The audiologists at

NYU

> are terrific. If you are using Bill Shapiro - you can get on his good side

> by telling him you love the Yankees. Do NOT mention the Red Socks! LOL

> Seriously - you are in excellent hands. My name is Jackie Flashnick - and you

> may use my name. They wouldn't dare screw up if they know I'm watching!

> LOL All the very best! Jackie )

> **************Dell Inspiron 15: Now starting at $349

>

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222435718x1201460505/aol?redir=http:%2\

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>

>

>