Guest guest Posted October 17, 2004 Report Share Posted October 17, 2004 Hi Lissa - I'm sure you'll get lots of answers to your questions! #1 that I think was already explained to you. #2 - we've found for our boys that digitals are far superior to analogs or even analog programmables, although your mileage may vary. My boys have more severe losses than your son (my 12 year odl has a 75 db loss; my younger son has a 100 db loss) but moving to digitals was nothing short of miraculous. They could hear things they'd never heard before - like water running in the drinking fountain. It was very cool. I also notice with digitals other things like we can have a conversation in the car because digitals tend to have a noise compression feature. Our boys wear Phonak Superos and we've been very happy with them. Your son has a milder loss so Superos probably aren't appropriate (they're too strong!) but do know the Phonak Claros are a smaller aid that's digital and does a great job. Also be aware that you can 'test drive' any hearing aid you get before you have to purchase it. Generally you get 30-60 days to do that. #3 - we purchase our batteries through BJs and generally get 5-7 days out of them - again, your mileage may vary! let us know what you end up doing! Barbara --- You wrote: Hi. Couple of questions from a newbie. My 10-month-old son has been diagnosed with a 40 decibel hearing loss bilaterally. (Am I phrasing that properly? I keep starting to type " mild hearing loss " and then changing it because " mild " sounds so, well, mild, but this doesn't feel mild to us, since he can't hear speech and needs hearing aids.) We have an appt in two weeks to have the ear molds made. Question #1: what exactly does that mean? What is the process like? Question #2: The audi said that at this same appt, we'll select the kind of hearing aids we want. She told me a little about the options (analog vs digital) and mentioned three specific brand names to check out. I've been reading posts here to learn about the advantages of one brand vs. another. I would welcome any advice from experienced parents. This feels a bit like going to buy a car without ever having sat behind the wheel before. (And almost as expensive.) Question #3: Batteries. How often must they be replaced? How expensive are they? Do you replace them yourself, or do you have to go in to the audiologist to have it done? --- end of quote --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2004 Report Share Posted October 17, 2004 --- You wrote: When you get the aids, you should get a kit with battery testers, extra batteries, clips to hook the aids to the back of clothes. --- end of quote --- That's a good point too - we also purchased separately a Dry and Store unit which has been invaluable. Ours is roughly the size of a small shoebox and holds both pairs of aids - it pumps dry air through them - there's also a UV light that sterilizes. Not to mention we always know where they are when the boys take them off overnight. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2004 Report Share Posted October 17, 2004 > We have an appt in two >weeks to have the ear molds made. Question #1: what exactly does that mean? >What is the process like? They take a syringe (no needle) full of " gunk " and put it in his ear. They block the ear canal with cotton. He has to sit there for a little bit for it to harden. Its not a big deal. Our little guy had this done at 10 months as well. (He is 1 now.) #2: The audi said that at this same appt, we'll select the kind of >hearing aids we want. She told me a little about the options (analog vs >digital) and mentioned three specific brand names to check out. I've been >reading posts here to learn about the advantages of one brand vs. another. I >would welcome any advice from experienced parents. This feels a bit like >going to buy a car without ever having sat behind the wheel before. (And >almost as expensive.) > Our little one has Digital Focus II. They said the analog would do the same thing but with different levels according to his loss. He has varied loss throughout the decibel levels. It is Oticon. I think they just have that and Phonak. We pretty much just took our audi's advice on what to chose. She told us that honestly either Analog or Digital would be fine. >Question #3: Batteries. How often must they be replaced? How expensive are >they? Do you replace them yourself, or do you have to go in to the >audiologist to have it done? They are fairly cheap at Costco. You replace them yourself. We have to replace ours every two weeks or so. > Let us know if you have any more questions. Our little guy just got his hearing aids and is doing pretty well with them. Tawnya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2004 Report Share Posted October 17, 2004 > We have an appt in two >weeks to have the ear molds made. Question #1: what exactly does that mean? >What is the process like? They take a syringe (no needle) full of " gunk " and put it in his ear. They block the ear canal with cotton. He has to sit there for a little bit for it to harden. Its not a big deal. Our little guy had this done at 10 months as well. (He is 1 now.) #2: The audi said that at this same appt, we'll select the kind of >hearing aids we want. She told me a little about the options (analog vs >digital) and mentioned three specific brand names to check out. I've been >reading posts here to learn about the advantages of one brand vs. another. I >would welcome any advice from experienced parents. This feels a bit like >going to buy a car without ever having sat behind the wheel before. (And >almost as expensive.) > Our little one has Digital Focus II. They said the analog would do the same thing but with different levels according to his loss. He has varied loss throughout the decibel levels. It is Oticon. I think they just have that and Phonak. We pretty much just took our audi's advice on what to chose. She told us that honestly either Analog or Digital would be fine. >Question #3: Batteries. How often must they be replaced? How expensive are >they? Do you replace them yourself, or do you have to go in to the >audiologist to have it done? They are fairly cheap at Costco. You replace them yourself. We have to replace ours every two weeks or so. > Let us know if you have any more questions. Our little guy just got his hearing aids and is doing pretty well with them. Tawnya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2004 Report Share Posted October 17, 2004 Ok, first, breathe! For the ear molds, they'll take these two compounds and mix them together. They put it in the syringe (minus the needle) and stick in the ear. They push in the mixture and you have to wait a minute or two. You have to make sure that the shoulder is not in a " shoulder shrug " kind of thing. It will distort the mold. We weren't given a choice for hearing aids, but got digital. They are Phonax (something like that). When you get the aids, you should get a kit with battery testers, extra batteries, clips to hook the aids to the back of clothes. There is also a little bulb syringe looking thing to clean out the hearing aids (often get wax in the ear molds). Christian even got stickers to put on his aids to make the look " cool " . He also got a elephant puppet. We've had no problems with the hearing aids, but have only had them for just over a month! The batteries are easy to replace. We can get ours from the audi, but ask yours to see if they'll give you some. There are usually coupons in the sunday paper for the batteries! I hope this information helps you and if you have other questions, just ask! Lissa wrote: Hi. Couple of questions from a newbie. My 10-month-old son has been diagnosed with a 40 decibel hearing loss bilaterally. (Am I phrasing that properly? I keep starting to type " mild hearing loss " and then changing it because " mild " sounds so, well, mild, but this doesn't feel mild to us, since he can't hear speech and needs hearing aids.) We have an appt in two weeks to have the ear molds made. Question #1: what exactly does that mean? What is the process like? Question #2: The audi said that at this same appt, we'll select the kind of hearing aids we want. She told me a little about the options (analog vs digital) and mentioned three specific brand names to check out. I've been reading posts here to learn about the advantages of one brand vs. another. I would welcome any advice from experienced parents. This feels a bit like going to buy a car without ever having sat behind the wheel before. (And almost as expensive.) Question #3: Batteries. How often must they be replaced? How expensive are they? Do you replace them yourself, or do you have to go in to the audiologist to have it done? I know I can ask the audi about this stuff too, but when my oldest child (now a healthy 9 year old) was diagnosed with leukemia at age 2, I found that there was no substitute for the insight an experienced parent can give. Thanks so much, Lissa in Crozet, VA mom of 3 girls ages 9, 6, and 3, and the aforementioned 10-month-old boy All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright restrictions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2004 Report Share Posted October 17, 2004 We have an appt in two > weeks to have the ear molds made. Question #1: what exactly does that mean? > What is the process like? Your little guy probably won't like the process. It's not painful or anything...it will just feel wierd. They will stick a tiny cottonball with a string into his ear then squeeze this silly putty kind of stuff into his ear. In a minute or two it will harden and they pull it out of his ear. This makes the mold of his ear. They'll send it " away " and " someone " will make the mold. It will come back in a couple weeks. Then they'll attach it to the hearing aid and teach you how to insert it into his little ears. > > Question #2: The audi said that at this same appt, we'll select the kind of > hearing aids we want. I would ask your audi what type they think will best help your child with their type of hearing loss. We went with digital...Phonak. I can't really tell you how awesome they were or anything because our son started losing his hearing at almost age 3 and lost it very quickly. He's 5 now and deaf. We went through 2 sets of aids in 2 years. He now has a CI and we are trying to get a second...money money money. > > Question #3: Batteries. How often must they be replaced? How expensive are > they? Do you replace them yourself, or do you have to go in to the > audiologist to have it done? Ahhhhh Batteries. It varies how often they need to be replaced...depending on the brand and the hearing aid itself. About 10-14 days is average, I think. Most hearing aids have a little battery door at the bottom that you just flip open and pop the battery in. Very simple. You'll even get a stethoscope looking thing that allows you to hear the aid so you can check to see if it's working. You'll be a pro in no time! Just remember to tell your audi to repeat things that you missed or didn't understand and don't feel rushed to leave or expect to feel confident. It's an overwhelming process and go over everything a couple times before you leave. I took notes!! ;p I also told the audi to expect my phone call tomorrow when I forget something! > Good luck and keep us posted!! Mom to , 5, progressive bilateral since 3, CI in May , 3, hearing but doing what he wants anyway! , due in Nov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2004 Report Share Posted October 17, 2004 We have an appt in two > weeks to have the ear molds made. Question #1: what exactly does that mean? > What is the process like? Your little guy probably won't like the process. It's not painful or anything...it will just feel wierd. They will stick a tiny cottonball with a string into his ear then squeeze this silly putty kind of stuff into his ear. In a minute or two it will harden and they pull it out of his ear. This makes the mold of his ear. They'll send it " away " and " someone " will make the mold. It will come back in a couple weeks. Then they'll attach it to the hearing aid and teach you how to insert it into his little ears. > > Question #2: The audi said that at this same appt, we'll select the kind of > hearing aids we want. I would ask your audi what type they think will best help your child with their type of hearing loss. We went with digital...Phonak. I can't really tell you how awesome they were or anything because our son started losing his hearing at almost age 3 and lost it very quickly. He's 5 now and deaf. We went through 2 sets of aids in 2 years. He now has a CI and we are trying to get a second...money money money. > > Question #3: Batteries. How often must they be replaced? How expensive are > they? Do you replace them yourself, or do you have to go in to the > audiologist to have it done? Ahhhhh Batteries. It varies how often they need to be replaced...depending on the brand and the hearing aid itself. About 10-14 days is average, I think. Most hearing aids have a little battery door at the bottom that you just flip open and pop the battery in. Very simple. You'll even get a stethoscope looking thing that allows you to hear the aid so you can check to see if it's working. You'll be a pro in no time! Just remember to tell your audi to repeat things that you missed or didn't understand and don't feel rushed to leave or expect to feel confident. It's an overwhelming process and go over everything a couple times before you leave. I took notes!! ;p I also told the audi to expect my phone call tomorrow when I forget something! > Good luck and keep us posted!! Mom to , 5, progressive bilateral since 3, CI in May , 3, hearing but doing what he wants anyway! , due in Nov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2004 Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 >>Christian will start preschool at a deaf school when he's 2 years and 9 months old. Speaking of which, are any of your children with ci going to a mainstream school in a normal classroom? Just curious for in the future!>> JD has always been mainstreamed, both during the hearing aid years and during the CI years. -Kay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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