Re: hearing on the phone with a CI

[Guest guest]

I find I still just talk to family and close friends on the phone. I have found

that I don't need the T-switch to hear on my cell, though, so it hasn't been an

issue with me.  I haven't had any experiences with impatience from people.  If

I

have trouble understanding, I usually hand my phone to the nearest family member

or friend.  There's also texting. )

Rae

 

________________________________

From: <sarahrose73@...>

Sent: Tue, March 1, 2011 1:38:09 PM

Subject: hearing on the phone with a CI

 

I would really appreciate hearing peoples' experiences hearing on the phone with

their CI. I have been slowly approaching this in the last few months. I was

activated last May. I find that people are still very impatient and have too

high expectations of me and don't want to wait while I turn on my phone program

and find the best position for the phone. I somehow hoped they would be willing

to work with me a bit more with this new tool, so am feeling pretty sad right

now that I am still isolated.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[Guest guest]

,

try practicing with a friend or family member. After a while it will click.

For many, it takes time and practice.

Happy Hearing!

Carol

Boca Raton, FL

Cochlear America Nucleus 24C - left ear - Sprint 12/11/01 then 3G then upgraded

to Freedom on 2/19/08

Cochlear America Freedom right ear -implanted 3/01/06 - activated 4/06/06

From:

Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 2:38 PM

Subject: hearing on the phone with a CI

I would really appreciate hearing peoples' experiences hearing on the phone with

their CI. I have been slowly approaching this in the last few months. I was

activated last May. I find that people are still very impatient and have too

high expectations of me and don't want to wait while I turn on my phone program

and find the best position for the phone. I somehow hoped they would be willing

to work with me a bit more with this new tool, so am feeling pretty sad right

now that I am still isolated.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[Guest guest]

Cochlear has a practice number you can try 1-800-458-4999. It has really

helped me to gain confidence on the phone. You can either listen to some

words (press one) or a chapter from a book (press two) and you can listen

over and over (press one or two to do so) & call it as many times as you

want. I use T-coil on my land line phone here at the house but can't do

that on my cel phone as it picks up to much buzzing from the phone.

Fortunately, I seem to do pretty good on the cel with my everyday program.

(and God bless texting J ) You just have to keep trying different things

until you find what works for you. Different phones make a world of

difference, too. I have a Clear Sounds CS40XLC in our kitchen that I really

like. It is much better to hear on than my CapTel phone that is in my sewing

room. Even when not connected to the CapTel network, the CapTel phone's

speech is a little distorted. My husband says the same thing and he hears

normally.

Hope this helps

Suzanne W - Nebraska

Freedom - R ear

Surgery 1/14/08 Activation 2/14/08

Alpha ENT Clinic Ft. , CO

Dr. W. Conlon

I would really appreciate hearing peoples' experiences hearing on the phone

with their CI. I have been slowly approaching this in the last few months. I

was activated last May. I find that people are still very impatient and have

too high expectations of me and don't want to wait while I turn on my phone

program and find the best position for the phone. I somehow hoped they would

be willing to work with me a bit more with this new tool, so am feeling

pretty sad right now that I am still isolated.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have an ABC Auria and I usually plug directly into the phone via a jack. It

gives me more direct sound. However, if I need to I can also talk on a cordless

or a cell, but prefer the direct connection. If you're not plugging in, I'd say

give it a try. If you need more info on how to do that, please post about

that...I'll be happy to help and am sure others will also.

Next, my best advice is to be patient and, as someone suggested, practice with

friends and family. Anyone who is impatient with you in this process would not

be a good person to practice with (I have my own opinions about people who are

impatient but will keep my lips sealed).

It will get better with practice...at least that's been my experience. I was

reluctant to even try the phone when first implanted (about 15 years ago) but

it's definitely gotten better with time. I now don't hesitate to pick up the

phone.

Finally, when I'm talking to people I don't know -- e.g., tech support, placing

an order, etc. -- I tell people I'm hearing impaired, tell them they don't have

to speak louder (sometimes it's much worse when they do because it distorts),

and ask them to speak more slowly. Most people are quite helpful. Some are

totally opaque, but that's to be expected.

Please post again if you need more help and best of luck,

Win

>

> I would really appreciate hearing peoples' experiences hearing on the phone

with their CI. I have been slowly approaching this in the last few months. I was

activated last May. I find that people are still very impatient and have too

high expectations of me and don't want to wait while I turn on my phone program

and find the best position for the phone. I somehow hoped they would be willing

to work with me a bit more with this new tool, so am feeling pretty sad right

now that I am still isolated.

> Thanks for sharing your experiences.

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I am sorry to hear you are having impatient people affect you

this way. Know that it is not you. Some people are naturally patient

and others are not, no reflection on you.

So perhaps look around and notice who is patient and tap into them,

hopefully it is a friend, neighbor or family member. I have always

been surprised at where my source of help can sometimes come; it's not

always the person you expect. :}

Be patient with them as you expect patience from them. Make it

lightheaded and fun, not a chore. People take their cue from you. If

you're treating it as an experiment and not work they will join in the

same vein.

I know when CI first became available many years ago a gal phoned me and ask I

do the

telephone with her. I agreed. She got next to nothing of what I said. I could

feel the sweat pouring down my neck. She did not take the hint that I

reached my limit after many minutes later, even though I tried to tell

her. She was so intent on 'getting it'. I was going through a very

trying experience at the time so my stress level was acutely high. I

tried to be a friend, but finally I realized my needs count, too. I

was just not at a place where I could help her, and told her so. She

got angry, which is natural because she was frustrated; but she didn't

have a right to take it out on me, as I did try to help her several

times. My abilities are not unlimited. I did what I could. Whether

she accepts that or not, I still have to take care of me, too. So keep in mind

to keep it short, thinking of both parties' needs.

Your CI journey will take time, some days up and some days down. Just take your

time and enjoy the journey, and know that you are growing in ways unaware.

From: sarahrose73@...

Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 19:38:09 +0000

Subject: hearing on the phone with a CI

I would really appreciate hearing peoples' experiences hearing on the

phone with their CI. I have been slowly approaching this in the last few months.

I was activated last May. I find that people are still very impatient and have

too high expectations of me and don't want to wait while I turn on my phone

program and find the best position for the phone. I somehow hoped they would be

willing to work with me a bit more with this new tool, so am feeling pretty sad

right now that I am still isolated.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.