Re: Softer Maps?

April 23, 2009

Thanks, ! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you find a solution.

April 23, 2009

Thanks, ! My GP just increased my dosage of Topamax to 100mg which is the

average dose given for migraine prevention. I'm confident that it will help

since in most cases, people do not need to increase their dosage to 200mg. If

all else fails, I can always go back to taking Verapamil which worked very well

for me back in the early 90s (although I no longer remember why I stopped taking

it). I do have a prescription for Imitrex, but it isn't designed for rebound or

" regular " headaches -- it's only designed for migraines, so I'm afraid that I

have no choice but to wait until my headache improves.

As for sensitivity level, Cochlear and my audi told me that the normal setting

is 12 while the normal setting for volume is 9. Since I'm totally blind, I need

to be able to hear as many environmental sounds as possible. In my case, I don't

find a sensitivity of 12 to sound uncomfortable or " echoey " at all. It sounds

very natural to me except when I'm manic due to my bipolar or I have a headache.

When either of these things happen, sounds are very sharp, loud and

uncomfortable. This is why I've scheduled an appointment with my audi on Monday

to create a softer map for these situations. Turning down sensitivity does help

to some extent, but when I'm in a noisy environment, it doesn't help enough.

April 23, 2009

Definitely different stokes for different folks - but I rarely turn my S

to above 3- or else I get too much outside noise and echo like sound? I

keep V at 7.

Kinsella wrote:

>

> - here is a thought, and something you may want to talk to your

> audi about. Then again, your settings may be something that works for

> you because of your sight situation. Anyway, my audi explained to me

> that Cochlear recommends that the sensitivity be comfortable for the

> patient at 10 (1/2 way point), and the volume set at 5 (again, 1/2 way

> point). That way the patient can move theirs up or down as they see

> fit based on their needs. Earlier on I misunderstood my audi and

> thought that I was suppose to have my sensitivity set at 12, so I did,

> and was experiencing a lot of rebound or reverberation of sound when

> people talked to me. When the audi suggested I turn it down to 10, I

> tried that and it helped a lot. When I said I thought I was suppose

> to have it at 12, she said, no, 10 is the recommended number.

>

> So, just a thought. Good luck with your headache. I know how

> miserable migraines are. Fortunately I have not had one for some

> time-I use to get them every single month for 3-4 days. When I do get

> them now I take Maxalt MLT which dissolves under the tongue and gives

> me relief within 5-15 minutes. If I get the meds on board soon

> enough, I abort the headache completely and do not get any rebound

> headaches. I know you have to be careful with what drugs you take, so

> I empathize and hope you get better soon.

>

> ________________________________

> From: " lkozlik@... <mailto:lkozlik%40wi.rr.com> "

> <lkozlik@... <mailto:lkozlik%40wi.rr.com>>

> <mailto:%40>

> Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 12:55:00 PM

> Subject: Re: Softer Maps?

>

> ,

>

> Yes, that does help. Thanks for the explanation.

>

> Right now I still have sensitivity on 5 because I have a rebound

> headache from taking Excedrin yesterday. Volume is set on 9 which is

> what I've always had it set to. Once I start to feel better, I will

> gradually increase sensitivity back up to its' original setting of 12.

>

April 23, 2009

Tom,

If you hear well with your sensitivity at 3........ fine. Otherwise, perhaps

your audiologist could try to set your sensitivity lower so you have more play

with your processor.

Can't hurt to try it.

Happy Hearing!