Re: Hello Strangers! I'm Back!

[Guest guest]

Hi . Great to have you back!! I certainly remember you, and what a great

inspiration you were to all of us! It is wonderful to hear that you are doing

well with your studies. As for me, I am currently working part time at THE GAP

in baby and kids sales. Without my CI, this would not be possible. I still read

the posts daily. I will always remember the day of your surgery as I was

on a plane returning from a visit to my family in the New York area back in

2004. Hope you are well also, and will have a great 2009.

                                   Irv in Ca.

From: dreams_in_neon <dreams_in_neon@...>

Subject: Hello Strangers! I'm Back!

Date: Friday, January 16, 2009, 9:16 AM

Hi everyone,

For those who may not remember me, my name is and I used to be a

member of over a year ago.

I'm totally deafblind and have bilateral CIs. I received my first CI

in December, 2004 and my second in February, 2006. It's amazing how

quickly time flies! Not a minute goes by that I'm not thankful for

the wonderful hearing my CIs have given me!

I'm a university student working towards my Bachelor's degree in

social work. I only have 3 more courses to take before graduation.

Once I earn my Bachelor's, I plan to continue with a Master's in

Psychology. From there, I would like to persue a Ph.D. in Psychiatry.

I look forward to meeting all of the new members and catching up with

those of you whom I've communicated with before! I hope this message

finds all of you well.

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

[Guest guest]

,

It's so good to see you back on CI Hear. We've missed you. It sure

has been a long time and we have worried about you when you went

missing. It's great to get the update. It sounds like you've been

busy and doing very well.

Welcome Back !!!

Alice

http://www..com

[Guest guest]

Welcome back . Although I was implanted earlier with my first CI, it looks

like I was right behind you with the second.

Happy Hearing!

Carol

Boca Raton, FL

N24C - Sprint then 3G left ear -12/11/01-upgraded to Freedom on 2/19/08

N Freedom- right ear- implanted 3/01/06 activated 4/6/06

Hello Strangers! I'm Back!

Hi everyone,

For those who may not remember me, my name is and I used to be a

member of over a year ago.

I'm totally deafblind and have bilateral CIs. I received my first CI

in December, 2004 and my second in February, 2006. It's amazing how

quickly time flies! Not a minute goes by that I'm not thankful for

the wonderful hearing my CIs have given me!

I'm a university student working towards my Bachelor's degree in

social work. I only have 3 more courses to take before graduation.

Once I earn my Bachelor's, I plan to continue with a Master's in

Psychology. From there, I would like to persue a Ph.D. in Psychiatry.

I look forward to meeting all of the new members and catching up with

those of you whom I've communicated with before! I hope this message

finds all of you well.

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

[Guest guest]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you hear me now?! I MISSED you! I tried to get the cops to search

for yuh but they said call Dog the Bounty Hunter. LOL

I am so happy to see you back with us. I was seriously concerned and

had no idea how to find you short of traveling to Milwaukee.

So gee, how the heck are you? This calls for a mocha! (hugs and

dances around her and hugs her again!)

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

Why do you press harder on a remote-control when you know the battery's

dead?

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

E-mail-

rclark0276@...

Home Page-

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Alice!

I haven't been around because I've had some issues I had to deal with

(including 2 new diagnoses from doctors that I'm trying to come to

terms with) and didn't have time to participate on any e-mail lists.

However, all of them have been resolved and I'm now ready to jump in

and see what everyone has been up to! <smile>

>

> ,

>

> It's so good to see you back on CI Hear. We've missed you. It

sure

> has been a long time and we have worried about you when you went

> missing. It's great to get the update. It sounds like you've been

> busy and doing very well.

>

> Welcome Back !!!

>

> Alice

> http://www..com

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Irv,

It's good to see you on the list!

Congratulations on your job at " The Gap! " I think that's wonderful!

It's amazing how much our CI's can make a real difference in our

lives, isn't it? <smile>

Keep up the good work! I'm proud of your accomplishment!

On another note, is still on the list? I'm in the mood

to give him a hard time, err, I mean I'm in the mood for some mocha.

<giggle>

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

[Guest guest]

Carol,

Oh, wow! You had your second CI surgery the day my second CI was

activated! How cool is that?

How do you like being bilateral? I think I can take a wild guess and

say you love it. LOL!

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

>

> Welcome back . Although I was implanted earlier with my first

CI, it looks like I was right behind you with the second.

>

> Happy Hearing!

> Carol

> Boca Raton, FL

> N24C - Sprint then 3G left ear -12/11/01-upgraded to Freedom on

2/19/08

> N Freedom- right ear- implanted 3/01/06 activated 4/6/06

[Guest guest]

Oops! My bad. Carol actually had her surgery 2 days before I had my

activation. I think I need a mocha. <giggle>

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

>

> Carol,

>

> Oh, wow! You had your second CI surgery the day my second CI was

> activated! How cool is that?

>

> How do you like being bilateral? I think I can take a wild guess

and

> say you love it. LOL!

>

> Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

>

> Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

[Guest guest]

, my friend! How are you? Are you behaving yourself? LOL!

It is *so* good to be back! I missed all of you too! <group hug>

I've thought about so often and felt bad because I couldn't

participate on the list like I wanted to.

Never fear though...I'm back! <smile>

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

>

> !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> Can you hear me now?! I MISSED you! I tried to get the cops

to search

> for yuh but they said call Dog the Bounty Hunter. LOL

>

> I am so happy to see you back with us. I was seriously

concerned and

> had no idea how to find you short of traveling to Milwaukee.

>

> So gee, how the heck are you? This calls for a mocha! (hugs

and

> dances around her and hugs her again!)

>

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

> Why do you press harder on a remote-control when you know the

battery's

> dead?

> & Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

> E-mail-

> rclark0276@...

> Home Page-

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

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome back!!! You have been missed. You may remember me from this list and

from the old Hearing Aids list.

I am loving my CI. It's hard to believe I've had it over 2 years now.

Lynn

Fairhope, AL

Nucleus Freedom

Surgery date 9/6/06

Activation date 9/27/06

Hello Strangers! I'm Back!

Hi everyone,

For those who may not remember me, my name is and I used to be a member

of over a year ago.

I'm totally deafblind and have bilateral CIs. I received my first CI in

December, 2004 and my second in February, 2006. It's amazing how quickly

time flies! Not a minute goes by that I'm not thankful for the wonderful

hearing my CIs have given me!

I'm a university student working towards my Bachelor's degree in social

work. I only have 3 more courses to take before graduation.

Once I earn my Bachelor's, I plan to continue with a Master's in Psychology.

From there, I would like to persue a Ph.D. in Psychiatry.

I look forward to meeting all of the new members and catching up with those

of you whom I've communicated with before! I hope this message finds all of

you well.

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn!

Yes, I do remember you. <smile> How have you been? I'm so glad you're

happy with your CI! I can still remember when you were making the

decision to be implanted. It seems like only yesterday!

I can't believe you've had your CI for 2 years already!

Are you thinking of going bilateral anytime in the future?

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

>

> Hi ,

> Welcome back!!! You have been missed. You may remember me from this

list and

> from the old Hearing Aids list.

>

> I am loving my CI. It's hard to believe I've had it over 2 years now.

>

> Lynn

> Fairhope, AL

>

> Nucleus Freedom

> Surgery date 9/6/06

> Activation date 9/27/06

[Guest guest]

Dolly! How's my favorite dolphin?

The last time we talked, you were in the process of waiting for a CI

evaluation. Are you still on the waiting list or did you change your

mind about being implanted?

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

>

> Dolly Dolphin whoosh out of the ocean water, flapped her long fins

and flew to 's house and knock her door.

>

> open the door, Dolly Dolphin quickly gives the welcome

> (((((((FINS HUGS))))))).

>

> tap Dolly Dolphin's beaks and scream out " LET ME BREATHE!!! "

>

> Oops! Sorry ! But you been away for a long time and I had to

beat with his mocha otherwise we folks are going to have a

tough time communicating with the two of you teasing each other.

>

> Now to watch and teasing one another while drinking

their mocha.

>

> Dolly Dolphin waving her fins/tail to

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

You are amazing

God Bless You

________________________________

From: dreams_in_neon <dreams_in_neon@...>

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 2:16:27 PM

Subject: Hello Strangers! I'm Back!

Hi everyone,

For those who may not remember me, my name is and I used to be a

member of over a year ago.

I'm totally deafblind and have bilateral CIs. I received my first CI

in December, 2004 and my second in February, 2006. It's amazing how

quickly time flies! Not a minute goes by that I'm not thankful for

the wonderful hearing my CIs have given me!

I'm a university student working towards my Bachelor's degree in

social work. I only have 3 more courses to take before graduation.

Once I earn my Bachelor's, I plan to continue with a Master's in

Psychology. From there, I would like to persue a Ph.D. in Psychiatry.

I look forward to meeting all of the new members and catching up with

those of you whom I've communicated with before! I hope this message

finds all of you well.

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

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

[Guest guest]

Dolly Dolphin whoosh out of the ocean water, flapped her long fins and flew to

's house and knock her door.

open the door, Dolly Dolphin quickly gives the welcome

(((((((FINS HUGS))))))).

tap Dolly Dolphin's beaks and scream out " LET ME BREATHE!!! "

Oops! Sorry ! But you been away for a long time and I had to beat

with his mocha otherwise we folks are going to have a tough time communicating

with the two of you teasing each other.

Now to watch and teasing one another while drinking their mocha.

Dolly Dolphin waving her fins/tail to

[Guest guest]

Wow, Dolly! I really have missed alot since I've been gone!

Congratulations on your CI!

I know it's easier said than done, but try to hang in there and take

things slowly. You might want to write a journal of the sounds you

hear and your impression of them. That's what my CI audi recommended

I do and I'm so glad I took her advice because it helped me

understand exactly what I was and wasn't hearing.

I think it would be great if you could get an intervenor who could

help you listen to sounds around you. I didn't have anyone here who

could do that, but then again, it wasn't too difficult for me since I

grew up hearing and could learn to recognize sounds based on their

pattern and rhythm.

Please continue to let us know how you are doing! I'm so glad you

finally received your CI!

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

>

> Oh dear, you have been gone a long time haven't you, lol?

>

> Well I did have the evaluation during 2007. Told I was a candidate

and might have to wait up to one-two year but the CI audiologist and

ENT doctor (especially the doctor) put my name toward the top of the

list due to my vision slowly getting smaller and age. But within a

few months I was told the date for the surgery was Nov. 22, 2007. I

chose the best ear (left).

>

> For some reason my worse ear seem to be hearing better (the ear I

had not worn hearing aid for over 40 years).

>

> Brother getting everything ready in less then two months sure was

hectic (Intervenor, air flight, make foods to put in the freezer, my

decision picking either the hospital Residence or the hotel, etc. I

picked the Residence as all we had to do go out the back door walk

less then half block to the hospital). It was done in Ottawa,

Ontario.

>

> The switch-on was done Jan. 8, 2008. Today I had the first annual

check up. I do not have to have another mapping until next year,

Jan. 2010.

>

> I am doing it very slowly so not to be too overwhelm. The CI

audiologist was happy today with the tests. She put today test in

Program 1 and what was on Program 1 to Program 2.

>

> I told her today that I doing this slowly. I know it might take

few more years but I am patience and letting my brain " click " on it

own like it did around last Nov. 2008. I was sitting in my chair in

the living room relaxing and everything was so strangely quiet. All

the sudden I heard " tick, tick, tick " like a clock I heard often on

TV. I thought, gee I must have left the water running in the

kitchen. Nope, it is off. Then, like I mentioned it sounded so much

like a clock. So I went closer to the wall clock close by. Sure

enough it was the minute hands. WOW!

>

> I had four people who volunteers to help me " listen " since I think

Feb. 2008. Two had stopped last Dec. due to being busy with their

own lives.

>

> There is a practicum students just finished 3 years course as

Intervenor for the Deaf-Blind.

>

> The RCMDB is trying her out for three months. So once I am feeling

well I will book her to help " listen " and for anything else like

shopping. This will give her some experience with the Deaf-Blind

folks. The more she is with us, the more she learns and also if she

does want to be an Intervenor for the Deaf-Blind.

>

> Each Deaf-Blind person is different and she will learn a lot from

us all. I sure hope we don't drive her nutty (smile).

>

> Dolly Dolphin

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, ! <smile>

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

>

>

>

> You are amazing

> God Bless You

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

I'm glad you're doing so well and are able to talk on the phone

comfortably. I'm hoping to strengthen my left ear, but since it has

always been my poorer ear, that may take some time.

I can understand why you'd rather not go bilateral at this time. I

also had concerns initially about being totally deaf without my

processors on, but in my case, the hearing in my nonimplanted ear was

no longer useful and I could no longer tell when my hearing aid was

on or off. Hence my CI surgeon's recommendation that I have that ear

implanted.

I think it's going to be exciting when more developments are made to

the totally implantable CI. You have so much to look forward to over

the next several years in that regard.

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

>

> Hi ,

> I have been doing very well. The CI works great for me. I can hear

on the

> phone quite well and take business phone calls all day. I recently

bought a

> really good cordless phone from . The sound is so clear I am

not even

> using the t-coil any more. My LG cell phone also works very well.

>

> I would love to go bilateral for the great hearing it would

provide. I am

> just not ready to be stone Deaf without my processor on. I still

have enough

> hearing in the left (unimplanted) ear to hear environmental sounds

and wake

> to a clock radio. I can even carry on a conversation provided I can

read

> lips. My hairdresser knows he has to talk to me where I can see him

in the

> mirror or look straight at me. My hope is that one day they will

come out

> with a completely implantable CI. Until then, or until my hearing

takes a

> further nosedive, I am planning to stay with just the one.

>

> Lynn

> Fairhope, AL

>

> Nucleus Freedom

> Surgery date 9/6/06

> Activation date 9/27/06

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Carol! <hugs>

I shouldn't have left the list like I did without saying a word. To be

honest, I no longer remember why that happened in the first place, but

I promise it won't happen again.

If I need to talk, I will definitely let all of you know. Thanks for

caring!

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

>

> ,

> You are correct. I absolutely LOVE being bilateral.

> BTW..... lots of people on the list were very concerned when you

disappeared from the list. We understand that you had many issues to

deal with but as Alice has said...... we are like a family and care

when someone like you leaves us without any word. Please stay well and

stay with us. We are here for you if you need a shoulder to lean on.

> Happy Hearing!

> Carol

> Boca Raton, FL

> N24C - Sprint then 3G left ear -12/11/01-upgraded to Freedom on

2/19/08

> N Freedom- right ear- implanted 3/01/06 activated 4/6/06

[Guest guest]

Hi Irv,

Well, part of my problem was the fact that I had a psychiatrist who

didn't address my symptoms when he should have. Therefore I suffered

for over a year and a half when I really didn't need to.

Fortunately, that all has changed. I'm now on a new med combo and am

with a psychiatrist who promised he will do everything he can to get me

stabilized again. I must say I'm doing pretty well because I haven't

rapid cycled in 5 days now. (I've only been on my new meds since New

Year's Day.)

To make this CI related, I've been doing very well with mine. I'm

starting to understand accents better which is something I had alot of

problems with in the beginning.

I've also noticed how much I've come to rely on using both CIs as

opposed to one. When I use one CI, I have a much harder time listening

and understanding. When I use two, speech and music sound louder,

fuller and more natural.

One thing that always makes me laugh is my sister when she tells me how

jealous she is of the fact that I can't hear anything without my CIs

(I'm totally deaf) and can get a perfect night's sleep. LOL!

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

>

> Hi again, . I guess by now you know is still with us as

are many others who really missed you. Yes, CI's are really life

changing. Sorry to hear about your health problems, but remember that

our health comes before any on line groups we belong to. Have a great

weekend.

>                                  Irv in Ca.

[Guest guest]

Wow, you are back! My prayers have been answered. We have been

concerned for you. I am so glad a new psychiatrist prescribed a new med

combo that is stabilizing the bipolar. And I am glad you are continuing your

schooling. I continue to love my bilateral CIs, to eat out with friends & to

do martial arts. Telly (dog guide) is still with ne. How is Tigger? The SASI

list had been concerned about you too.

[Guest guest]

Hi Irv,

You're exactly right that doctors are human too. I don't place all of

the blame on my previous doctor. After all, I was the one who had every

right to get a second opinion, but didn't, so that was my fault.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles to hear voices sometimes in

background noise. Now that I hear so well with my CIs, sometimes I'm

deluded into thinking that I should hear everything perfectly when I

know full well that isn't being realistic.

Oh well. I'll learn one of these days! LOL!

Perhaps if offered me a peppermint mocha, I could be convinced.

LOL!

Bilateral Cochlear CIs

December, 2004 and February, 2006

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

 

It's good to see you here. We met on another list,

 

This is Shari from WI with Usher Syndrome. I went ahead and got a CI myself. I'm

so glad to hear that you are still working on your studies. You inspire me with

all your accomplishments and what you are going to accomplish.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your bipolar diagnosis, but it looks like the medication

you are using is working. Smile.

 

Shari from WI

 

implanted with the Freedom July 23, 2008

activated August 25, 2008

 

Blog: http://literallyblindsided.blogspot.com/  

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It's so good to hear from you! <smile>

I'm also glad that I was able to finally find a new psychiatrist who

takes my treatment seriously and involves me in the process every

step of the way. I'm already able to notice positive changes and am

beginning to feel like my old self again. Even though he told me I

will always have difficulties with rapid cycling, auditory

hallucinations, delusions and paranoia (since bipolar is a lifelong

disorder that requires meds), he also said there is an excellent

chance of me becoming stabilized to the point where I am no longer

rapid cycling every hour. My girlfriends are taking me out for my

favorite dinner (Italian) tomorrow to celebrate the fact that I

haven't rapid cycled for a week. I can't wait!

I'm so happy that you're continuing to enjoy your bilaterals! How

long have you had your CIs now? If I remember correctly, it's been

several years, right?

I didn't know you were taking martial arts. What kind of classes are

you taking and how long have you participated in them? I'm thinking

about taking martial arts myself. A very good friend of mine

recommended Krav Manga since it is a tactually based system that

anyone (including children) can learn.

How is Telly doing? How old is she now? Tigger is 12.

Unfortuantely, it looks as though I may have to retire her because of

the severe carpal tunnel in my left wrist. The pain and numbness in

my left hand has become so bothersome that it hurts for me to grasp

her harness handle. I'm taking physical therapy right now even though

my doctor told me I should have CTS surgery. Both my docor and

physical therapist recommended that when I train with my next guide

dog he or she be trained on my right side. I am supposed to wear

wrist splints on both hands 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which is

what I'm doing. The splint helps my right hand (in which I only have

mild CTS), but not my left.

In fact, it only increases the pain. I'm scheduled to see a

neurologist regarding my CTS next month at which time we will discuss

my options for surgery once I have completed my physical therapy.

I don't know how it will feel to work with a dog on my right side,

but maybe it won't feel as strange as I think it will. I know there

are plenty of people who have had their dogs trained in this manner

and they are doing just as well as those who have their dogs trained

in the standard way.

, would you mind sending me the subscription information for

SASI? I'd like to join the list again and let everyone know how I'm

doing. Thanks!

Bilateral Cochlear CIs

December, 2004 and February, 2006

>

> Wow, you are back! My prayers have been answered. We have been

> concerned for you. I am so glad a new psychiatrist prescribed a new

med

> combo that is stabilizing the bipolar. And I am glad you are

continuing your

> schooling. I continue to love my bilateral CIs, to eat out with

friends & to

> do martial arts. Telly (dog guide) is still with ne. How is Tigger?

The SASI

> list had been concerned about you too.

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the compliment!

You know, ever since I lost my hearing I've become a stronger person.

After I lost my hearing in 1995, I was extremely angry and had a very

difficult time coping. It wasn't until I met a wonderful deafblind

woman at my local deafblind center that I learned I was the one (and

the only one) who had the power to change what kind of limitations I

had and how deafblindness would define me. Even after all these

years, I'll never forget what she told me. She said, " , you have

a choice. You can either learn to accept your disabilities and move

on with your life or you can continue to feel angry and resentful 24

hours a day 7 days a week about something you cannot change. Which

would you prefer? " She was exactly right. Once I began learning

alternative communication techniques for the deafblind (particularly

tactile sign), a whole new world opened up to me. It also helped to

meet other deafblind people like myself at an American Association of

the Deaf-Blind (AADB) convention as well as through the support group

offered by my local deafblind center.

I can't say that I'm surprised to learn about the incidence of

depression in people who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing. After all,

blind and visually impaired people still have their ears to

communicate with others. We don't and therefore must rely on visual

or tactile forms of communication.

I was diagnosed with major depression disorder (MDD) after I lost my

hearing, but my therapist and psychiatrist actually think I had

atypical bipolar. When we discussed the symptoms I've had since my

early 20s both of them said it was evident that I was showing clear

signs of the disorder but didn't know it. That's not uncommon for

people who have bipolar. In fact, according to what my psychiatrist

told me (and from what I've read), the average time between the onset

of initial bipolar symptoms and diagnosis is 10 years. That makes

perfect sense in my case since I had been experiencing symptoms since

1991 or so, but wasn't officially diagnosed until 2006. In addition,

bipolar is usually diagnosed when a person is in their teens and

early 20s. There are also cases of juvenile bipolar, but since this

is a controversial diagnosis, there is some debate as to whether or

not this form of the illness actually exists.

Back to CIs...Your hearing loss sounds similar to what I experienced

before I was implanted. The hearing in my left ear started at 95 dB,

dropped to 100-120 dB between 500 and 750 Hz with no measureable

hearing at 1000 Hz or above and my right ear started at 90 dB,

dropped to 100-110 dB with no measureable hearing at 100 Hz and

above. Since my right ear has always been my stronger ear, speech

sounds much clearer in that ear than it does my left. When I wear my

left CI alone, I have alot of difficulty understanding speech. One

day I told my audi that I thought my ability to understand speech was

much worse in my left ear than my right, but to my surprise, was told

that both are pretty similar in their percentages.

Wow! I'm really impressed with how well you're doing with your CIs!

You're making wonderful progress!

By the way, I'm *so* glad you were accepted as a CI candidate. In my

opinion, I think people with lesser degrees of hearing loss (such as

those in the normal to severe-profound range where hearing is normal

in the low frequencies and severe or profound in the mid and high

frequencies) should qualify for CIs because they can make such a huge

difference compared to hearing aids.

Here's wishing you continued success!

Bilateral Cochlear CIs

December, 2004 and February, 2006

[Guest guest]

Hi Shari,

How have you been? Well, I hope!

I'm delighted to hear that you decided to get a CI! How long have you

had it and how are you doing as far as understanding speech?

Bilateral Cochlear CIs

December, 2004 and February, 2006

>

> Hello ,

>  

> It's good to see you here. We met on another list,

>  

> This is Shari from WI with Usher Syndrome. I went ahead and got a

CI myself. I'm so glad to hear that you are still working on your

studies. You inspire me with all your accomplishments and what you

are going to accomplish.

>  

> I'm sorry to hear about your bipolar diagnosis, but it looks like

the medication you are using is working. Smile.

>  

> Shari from WI

>  

> implanted with the Freedom July 23, 2008

> activated August 25, 2008

>  

> Blog: http://literallyblindsided.blogspot.com/  

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