Gyms and Cochlear Implants

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

My daughter started first grade at our local public school this week.

Going from a class of 2-10 (depending on the activity) at the Moog

School to a class of 19 in our local public school is certainly an

adjustment! She seems to be doing well though as per her teacher, with

whom I've been in close contact.

One question I have is what do people do during gym for kids with

cochlear implants? Right now she is wearing the body worn processor, but

we're hoping to move to the 3G in a few weeks. I'm worried about damage

to the equipment, the wire and also, the fact that the gym walls are

lined with mats. When the kids stand by/against the walls there must be

static from the mats, right? Should we just take off the processor for

gym? She wears a hearing aid in the other ear. Should we put her FM unit

back on that just for gym? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I hope all of your children have had a great back to school week!

Thank you,

a - N24C 8/8/02, 6 1/2 yr old N24C 5/20/02

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

a Rosenthal, Publisher

HearingExchange http://www.HearingExchange.com

For People with Hearing Loss, Families & Professionals

[Guest guest]

a,

Perish the thought of taking off your daughters Cochlear Implant.

, who is very sports minded and oriented never takes his processor off for

sports. He also prefers the BWP. We went to the local sports store and bought

him a bunch of sweat bands. He loves the ones with the Nike or Rebock logos.

These work great for both the headpiece from the BWP or for the BTE. The head

band is wide enough to cover the processor.

The only time took off his Cochlear Implant this summer was for water

activities, besides that it was always on him. He was constantly playing

Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Roller Blade Hockey, etc. He always wore one of

his headbands.

They came home from camp after one month and all got tossed in the garbage. They

were discussing, but who cares they served their purpose. We bought him three

new ones for school this year.

Take care and good luck with your daughters first year in public school. The

World is opening up at her fingertips.

Duchoeny

--

Father of (C-II Mar. 5/01 at 9 yr.)

Activated Apr. 2/01 in Burlington, VT

Montreal, Que.

http://www.duchoeny.com

frank@...

[Guest guest]

a,

Perish the thought of taking off your daughters Cochlear Implant.

, who is very sports minded and oriented never takes his processor off for

sports. He also prefers the BWP. We went to the local sports store and bought

him a bunch of sweat bands. He loves the ones with the Nike or Rebock logos.

These work great for both the headpiece from the BWP or for the BTE. The head

band is wide enough to cover the processor.

The only time took off his Cochlear Implant this summer was for water

activities, besides that it was always on him. He was constantly playing

Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Roller Blade Hockey, etc. He always wore one of

his headbands.

They came home from camp after one month and all got tossed in the garbage. They

were discussing, but who cares they served their purpose. We bought him three

new ones for school this year.

Take care and good luck with your daughters first year in public school. The

World is opening up at her fingertips.

Duchoeny

--

Father of (C-II Mar. 5/01 at 9 yr.)

Activated Apr. 2/01 in Burlington, VT

Montreal, Que.

http://www.duchoeny.com

frank@...

[Guest guest]

a,

Perish the thought of taking off your daughters Cochlear Implant.

, who is very sports minded and oriented never takes his processor off for

sports. He also prefers the BWP. We went to the local sports store and bought

him a bunch of sweat bands. He loves the ones with the Nike or Rebock logos.

These work great for both the headpiece from the BWP or for the BTE. The head

band is wide enough to cover the processor.

The only time took off his Cochlear Implant this summer was for water

activities, besides that it was always on him. He was constantly playing

Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Roller Blade Hockey, etc. He always wore one of

his headbands.

They came home from camp after one month and all got tossed in the garbage. They

were discussing, but who cares they served their purpose. We bought him three

new ones for school this year.

Take care and good luck with your daughters first year in public school. The

World is opening up at her fingertips.

Duchoeny

--

Father of (C-II Mar. 5/01 at 9 yr.)

Activated Apr. 2/01 in Burlington, VT

Montreal, Que.

http://www.duchoeny.com

frank@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/5/2002 4:09:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,

little_emmi@... writes:

> I make

> sure she takes the disk off her head as she slides and when she is at the

> bottom she puts it back on. is only 2 and has put the processor and

> cords through the ringer.

Monika,

Before our son got his implant at the end of July we too were concerned about

static issues. We didn't know what to expect, but we haven't taken any

special precautions so far. I was wondering about what you said about the

slides. I thought the issue was the processor part getting deprogramed from

the static. I didn't think it had anything to do with the magnet being on or

off the head. Can you explain?

Kearns

's mom, 22 months, MedEL CI 7/30/02

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/5/2002 4:09:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,

little_emmi@... writes:

> I make

> sure she takes the disk off her head as she slides and when she is at the

> bottom she puts it back on. is only 2 and has put the processor and

> cords through the ringer.

Monika,

Before our son got his implant at the end of July we too were concerned about

static issues. We didn't know what to expect, but we haven't taken any

special precautions so far. I was wondering about what you said about the

slides. I thought the issue was the processor part getting deprogramed from

the static. I didn't think it had anything to do with the magnet being on or

off the head. Can you explain?

Kearns

's mom, 22 months, MedEL CI 7/30/02

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/5/2002 7:42:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,

amcmurtrey1@... writes:

> Control Environment: TV/VCR - TV out of reach (30,000 volts - 3 feet away

> from all sides of TV - Never touch TV screen " This is my personal concern

> we have a large screen and there isn't any way to do these but teach not to

> touch and hope.

>

My son is constantly touching the TV screen as he wears his CI. He's 22

months old. I wasn't sure that this was a concern unless his processor was

to actually come in contact with the screen. I'm getting worried now. What

kind of damage could be done.

Kearns

's mom, 22 months, CI 7/30/02

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/5/2002 7:42:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,

amcmurtrey1@... writes:

> Control Environment: TV/VCR - TV out of reach (30,000 volts - 3 feet away

> from all sides of TV - Never touch TV screen " This is my personal concern

> we have a large screen and there isn't any way to do these but teach not to

> touch and hope.

>

My son is constantly touching the TV screen as he wears his CI. He's 22

months old. I wasn't sure that this was a concern unless his processor was

to actually come in contact with the screen. I'm getting worried now. What

kind of damage could be done.

Kearns

's mom, 22 months, CI 7/30/02

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/5/2002 7:42:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,

amcmurtrey1@... writes:

> Control Environment: TV/VCR - TV out of reach (30,000 volts - 3 feet away

> from all sides of TV - Never touch TV screen " This is my personal concern

> we have a large screen and there isn't any way to do these but teach not to

> touch and hope.

>

My son is constantly touching the TV screen as he wears his CI. He's 22

months old. I wasn't sure that this was a concern unless his processor was

to actually come in contact with the screen. I'm getting worried now. What

kind of damage could be done.

Kearns

's mom, 22 months, CI 7/30/02

[Guest guest]

a wrote:

>One question I have is what do people do during gym for kids with

>cochlear implants?

a,

I was paranoid about static electricity when received her implant. I

carried around a travel can of static guard in my purse. I don't take off

her processor at the playground anymore. (it has a plastic slide). I make

sure she takes the disk off her head as she slides and when she is at the

bottom she puts it back on. is only 2 and has put the processor and

cords through the ringer. I only take off the processor if actually

goes into water. For example we went to the ocean and she was wading in the

water. I wanted her to experience the sound as the waves crashed at her

feet so I put the processor in a zip lock baggy and thread the cord through

a little hole in the baggy. For added protection I taped the hole. At the

beginning it is so overwhelming especially since alot of us parents fought

so hard for the surgery.

Take care,

Monika (Mom to Miranda 7 yrs hearing, 2 1/2 yrs N24 7/31/01)

_________________________________________________________________

Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

[Guest guest]

a wrote:

>One question I have is what do people do during gym for kids with

>cochlear implants?

a,

I was paranoid about static electricity when received her implant. I

carried around a travel can of static guard in my purse. I don't take off

her processor at the playground anymore. (it has a plastic slide). I make

sure she takes the disk off her head as she slides and when she is at the

bottom she puts it back on. is only 2 and has put the processor and

cords through the ringer. I only take off the processor if actually

goes into water. For example we went to the ocean and she was wading in the

water. I wanted her to experience the sound as the waves crashed at her

feet so I put the processor in a zip lock baggy and thread the cord through

a little hole in the baggy. For added protection I taped the hole. At the

beginning it is so overwhelming especially since alot of us parents fought

so hard for the surgery.

Take care,

Monika (Mom to Miranda 7 yrs hearing, 2 1/2 yrs N24 7/31/01)

_________________________________________________________________

Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

[Guest guest]

a wrote:

>One question I have is what do people do during gym for kids with

>cochlear implants?

a,

I was paranoid about static electricity when received her implant. I

carried around a travel can of static guard in my purse. I don't take off

her processor at the playground anymore. (it has a plastic slide). I make

sure she takes the disk off her head as she slides and when she is at the

bottom she puts it back on. is only 2 and has put the processor and

cords through the ringer. I only take off the processor if actually

goes into water. For example we went to the ocean and she was wading in the

water. I wanted her to experience the sound as the waves crashed at her

feet so I put the processor in a zip lock baggy and thread the cord through

a little hole in the baggy. For added protection I taped the hole. At the

beginning it is so overwhelming especially since alot of us parents fought

so hard for the surgery.

Take care,

Monika (Mom to Miranda 7 yrs hearing, 2 1/2 yrs N24 7/31/01)

_________________________________________________________________

Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi and Monika,

Thanks so much for your comments. I'd rather not remove it during gym as

the distance is much greater there and on the fields and she could

really benefit from the sensitivity to sound the CI offers. Her

processor is worn in a fanny pack so perhaps if I pad the pack I can

better protect the device.

Monika, I know many people do as you do, have the child to take the coil

off as they go down the slide, however, one of the presenters (I think

it was a rep from Clinic) at the AG Bell convention

specifically said the entire processor should be removed, not just the

coil in that instance. Wondering what others have done about this as well.

Thanks again,

a

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

a Rosenthal, Publisher

HearingExchange http://www.HearingExchange.com

For People with Hearing Loss, Families & Professionals

Sign up for FREE newsletters and chat reminders here:

http://lb.bcentral.com/ex/manage/subscriberprefs?customerid=6181

Privacy guaranteed.

[Guest guest]

Hi and Monika,

Thanks so much for your comments. I'd rather not remove it during gym as

the distance is much greater there and on the fields and she could

really benefit from the sensitivity to sound the CI offers. Her

processor is worn in a fanny pack so perhaps if I pad the pack I can

better protect the device.

Monika, I know many people do as you do, have the child to take the coil

off as they go down the slide, however, one of the presenters (I think

it was a rep from Clinic) at the AG Bell convention

specifically said the entire processor should be removed, not just the

coil in that instance. Wondering what others have done about this as well.

Thanks again,

a

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

a Rosenthal, Publisher

HearingExchange http://www.HearingExchange.com

For People with Hearing Loss, Families & Professionals

Sign up for FREE newsletters and chat reminders here:

http://lb.bcentral.com/ex/manage/subscriberprefs?customerid=6181

Privacy guaranteed.

[Guest guest]

I know many people do as you do, have the child to take the coil

> off as they go down the slide, however, one of the presenters (I think

> it was a rep from Clinic) at the AG Bell convention

> specifically said the entire processor should be removed, not just the

> coil in that instance. Wondering what others have done about this as well.

>

As a Mom who dealt with a shocked processor multiple times last fall and

winter I believe that the processor can suffer a shock with or without the

coil attached to the head. I think that fanny packs protect the processor

better but are harder on the wires than a harness or pocket. I am almost

certain that 2 shocks to 's processor happened when the processor was

damp with sweat. (The processor is hot and against her makes it even

hotter.) Electricity takes the path of least resistance and water has no

resistance. I started wrapping her processor with a piece of changing pad

(rubber covered with cotton) and then drop it in a cotton sock. (I started

with baggies but they generated their own static.) All of that goes in her

pocket on the back of a sports bra or T. Some days it is really wet on the

outside but the processor and pouch are always dry. Same playground with 7

plastic slides, kids, rules ( is not allowed on the slides), but no

ESD for almost a year. She recently had an internal check by Cochlear and

all of her electrodes are functioning but I've heard of several kids with up

to 4 electrodes that don't work. I wonder about internal damage from ESD

but haven't heard or read anything regarding this for N24.

Also, did you know that if your processor is shocked that it should be

replaced? Once it happens it becomes more susceptible to additional shocks.

I was told that they had to replace 8 at our center once they learned this.

I saw a copy of the presentation from AGBell on ESD. Can't find it right

now but it had how much ESD is generated by different items, slide, TV, etc.

maybe someone has a copy and can share that with the group. I'll keep

looking but my desk and files are piled every where with getting 3 kids

started in school and dealing with our audiologist.

I also wonder about the 3G and static before we switch. Mom worry.

Mom to 9, 5 (n24 4/00) and 2

[Guest guest]

I know many people do as you do, have the child to take the coil

> off as they go down the slide, however, one of the presenters (I think

> it was a rep from Clinic) at the AG Bell convention

> specifically said the entire processor should be removed, not just the

> coil in that instance. Wondering what others have done about this as well.

>

As a Mom who dealt with a shocked processor multiple times last fall and

winter I believe that the processor can suffer a shock with or without the

coil attached to the head. I think that fanny packs protect the processor

better but are harder on the wires than a harness or pocket. I am almost

certain that 2 shocks to 's processor happened when the processor was

damp with sweat. (The processor is hot and against her makes it even

hotter.) Electricity takes the path of least resistance and water has no

resistance. I started wrapping her processor with a piece of changing pad

(rubber covered with cotton) and then drop it in a cotton sock. (I started

with baggies but they generated their own static.) All of that goes in her

pocket on the back of a sports bra or T. Some days it is really wet on the

outside but the processor and pouch are always dry. Same playground with 7

plastic slides, kids, rules ( is not allowed on the slides), but no

ESD for almost a year. She recently had an internal check by Cochlear and

all of her electrodes are functioning but I've heard of several kids with up

to 4 electrodes that don't work. I wonder about internal damage from ESD

but haven't heard or read anything regarding this for N24.

Also, did you know that if your processor is shocked that it should be

replaced? Once it happens it becomes more susceptible to additional shocks.

I was told that they had to replace 8 at our center once they learned this.

I saw a copy of the presentation from AGBell on ESD. Can't find it right

now but it had how much ESD is generated by different items, slide, TV, etc.

maybe someone has a copy and can share that with the group. I'll keep

looking but my desk and files are piled every where with getting 3 kids

started in school and dealing with our audiologist.

I also wonder about the 3G and static before we switch. Mom worry.

Mom to 9, 5 (n24 4/00) and 2

[Guest guest]

I found the copy of Protecting Cochlear Implants from ELECTROSTATIC

DISCHARGE by McGinnis, Cand PhD, Cert AVT Supervisor, Speech & Language

Services Clinic.

I'll quote some.

" How does ESD do damage? ESD may do noticeable damage all at once, or ESD

damage may be cumulative, with repeated ESD events doing minimal, unnoticed

damage, until the last event does noticeable damage. "

" Things that Charge typical electrostatic voltages walking 15,000 volts, TV

Screen 25,000 volts, Van de Graaf generator 200,000 volts " (At science

exhibits that makes hair stick out straight)

" Controlling ESD Make insulators less chargeable - increase humidity

(expensive) - ionized air (expensive) - use staticides, fabric softeners

(cheap) Ground conductors (e.g., people) to remove charge "

recommended wood furniture, wiping plastic nap mats with fabric softener

sheets and cover mates with cotton sheets washed in fabric softeners.

" Control Environment: TV/VCR - TV out of reach (30,000 volts - 3 feet away

from all sides of TV - Never touch TV screen " This is my personal concern

we have a large screen and there isn't any way to do these but teach not to

touch and hope.

There are 38 slides in all and I can't get them all typed. Maybe someone

could contact them and get permission to add it listen up. I didn't attend

the conference just got a copy from a friend.

Mom to 9, 5 (n24 4/00) and

[Guest guest]

I found the copy of Protecting Cochlear Implants from ELECTROSTATIC

DISCHARGE by McGinnis, Cand PhD, Cert AVT Supervisor, Speech & Language

Services Clinic.

I'll quote some.

" How does ESD do damage? ESD may do noticeable damage all at once, or ESD

damage may be cumulative, with repeated ESD events doing minimal, unnoticed

damage, until the last event does noticeable damage. "

" Things that Charge typical electrostatic voltages walking 15,000 volts, TV

Screen 25,000 volts, Van de Graaf generator 200,000 volts " (At science

exhibits that makes hair stick out straight)

" Controlling ESD Make insulators less chargeable - increase humidity

(expensive) - ionized air (expensive) - use staticides, fabric softeners

(cheap) Ground conductors (e.g., people) to remove charge "

recommended wood furniture, wiping plastic nap mats with fabric softener

sheets and cover mates with cotton sheets washed in fabric softeners.

" Control Environment: TV/VCR - TV out of reach (30,000 volts - 3 feet away

from all sides of TV - Never touch TV screen " This is my personal concern

we have a large screen and there isn't any way to do these but teach not to

touch and hope.

There are 38 slides in all and I can't get them all typed. Maybe someone

could contact them and get permission to add it listen up. I didn't attend

the conference just got a copy from a friend.

Mom to 9, 5 (n24 4/00) and

[Guest guest]

> My son is constantly touching the TV screen as he wears his CI. He's 22

> months old. I wasn't sure that this was a concern unless his processor

was

> to actually come in contact with the screen. I'm getting worried now.

What

> kind of damage could be done.

The presentation from AGBell shows an electronic part " fried " by ESD.

" Memory chip: Galileo spacecraft - zapped 3 times by person charged to

+8000 volts " .

" The Problem - All cochlear implants, as are all electronic devices, are

potentially susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) - ESD

can cause non-standard maps, requiring re-mapping of the implant - ESD can

cause internal device failure, requiring another surgery "

" ALWAYS touch the child's skin before touching or working near the child's

implant! "

I bought an antistatic screen cover for our PC and our small TV has a

plastic cover that seems to prevent static. I don't know what to do about

the big screen so I keep toys in front so she can't easily get to it and am

working on teaching her about static.

She wears all cotton almost exclusively. We didn't have any problems when

she wore her CI in a fanny pack but went through way too many cords. We

have a trampoline but if it is dry out (usually it is humid) or her older

sister's hair sticks out then we take off her processor or she doesn't jump.

No tube slides wearing her processor!!!

Mom to 9, 5 (n24 4/00) and 2

[Guest guest]

> My son is constantly touching the TV screen as he wears his CI. He's 22

> months old. I wasn't sure that this was a concern unless his processor

was

> to actually come in contact with the screen. I'm getting worried now.

What

> kind of damage could be done.

The presentation from AGBell shows an electronic part " fried " by ESD.

" Memory chip: Galileo spacecraft - zapped 3 times by person charged to

+8000 volts " .

" The Problem - All cochlear implants, as are all electronic devices, are

potentially susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) - ESD

can cause non-standard maps, requiring re-mapping of the implant - ESD can

cause internal device failure, requiring another surgery "

" ALWAYS touch the child's skin before touching or working near the child's

implant! "

I bought an antistatic screen cover for our PC and our small TV has a

plastic cover that seems to prevent static. I don't know what to do about

the big screen so I keep toys in front so she can't easily get to it and am

working on teaching her about static.

She wears all cotton almost exclusively. We didn't have any problems when

she wore her CI in a fanny pack but went through way too many cords. We

have a trampoline but if it is dry out (usually it is humid) or her older

sister's hair sticks out then we take off her processor or she doesn't jump.

No tube slides wearing her processor!!!

Mom to 9, 5 (n24 4/00) and 2

[Guest guest]

> My son is constantly touching the TV screen as he wears his CI. He's 22

> months old. I wasn't sure that this was a concern unless his processor

was

> to actually come in contact with the screen. I'm getting worried now.

What

> kind of damage could be done.

The presentation from AGBell shows an electronic part " fried " by ESD.

" Memory chip: Galileo spacecraft - zapped 3 times by person charged to

+8000 volts " .

" The Problem - All cochlear implants, as are all electronic devices, are

potentially susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) - ESD

can cause non-standard maps, requiring re-mapping of the implant - ESD can

cause internal device failure, requiring another surgery "

" ALWAYS touch the child's skin before touching or working near the child's

implant! "

I bought an antistatic screen cover for our PC and our small TV has a

plastic cover that seems to prevent static. I don't know what to do about

the big screen so I keep toys in front so she can't easily get to it and am

working on teaching her about static.

She wears all cotton almost exclusively. We didn't have any problems when

she wore her CI in a fanny pack but went through way too many cords. We

have a trampoline but if it is dry out (usually it is humid) or her older

sister's hair sticks out then we take off her processor or she doesn't jump.

No tube slides wearing her processor!!!

Mom to 9, 5 (n24 4/00) and 2

[Guest guest]

Asked:

I was wondering about what you said about the

>slides. I thought the issue was the processor part getting deprogramed

>from

>the static. I didn't think it had anything to do with the magnet being on

>or

>off the head. Can you explain?

I didn't know that this topic was going to stir up so much concern. Oh

well, I started it. As I stated in my last e-mail I was all too consumed

with the static electricity concern when was first implanted. I feel

that I have found a happy medium. I know that yes, she probably runs a risk

shocking her processor when sliding down the plastic slide (which is seldom

since the park near us has a metal slide) but the processor can be fixed or

replaced. She wears it in the cochlear pouch on her back in a sports bra. I

want her to know that she MUST remove the disk from her head. I do not want

the internal device to malfunction. She does not run a risk of static

electricity damage to the internal device by sliding down the slide if the

disk is taken off her head. She is only two but I want her to develop

awareness about her implant and not be dependent on me to take it off in

unsafe situations. Of course, due to her age I am always there conditioning

her but in three years she will be going to our public school kindergarten.

I don't want her to resent her implant which I believe will happen if she

is restricted with her activities. She does not take off her implant unless

she is asleep or in water. In the morning she asks, " Where is 's

ear? " (ear meaning processor) I equate me taking off her implant on the

playground to me taking off my glasses. She is so proud of her implant and

thinks she is special since no one else in her family has one. She will

sometimes walk up to me and say " 's implant " pointing to her disk. I

will respond with " Wow, do I (Daddy, Miranda, Grandma, etc.) have an

implant? " and with fluctuation in her voice she will respond " Noooooo " . I

am so proud of my daughter and her progress I would not do anything to

damage this device that has opened up her world. O.K. I'm off my soap box

now. Whew...

Take Care,

Monika (Proud Mom to Miranda- hearing 7yrs old, and 2 1/2yrs- N24

7/31/01)

She >From: srkearns@...

>Reply-To: Listen-Up

>To: Listen-Up

>Subject: Re: Gyms and Cochlear Implants

>Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 19:58:00 EDT

>

>In a message dated 9/5/2002 4:09:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,

>little_emmi@... writes:

>

>

> > I make

> > sure she takes the disk off her head as she slides and when she is at

>the

> > bottom she puts it back on. is only 2 and has put the processor

>and

> > cords through the ringer.

>

>Monika,

>Before our son got his implant at the end of July we too were concerned

>about

>static issues. We didn't know what to expect, but we haven't taken any

>special precautions so far. >

> Kearns

>'s mom, 22 months, MedEL CI 7/30/02

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Asked:

I was wondering about what you said about the

>slides. I thought the issue was the processor part getting deprogramed

>from

>the static. I didn't think it had anything to do with the magnet being on

>or

>off the head. Can you explain?

I didn't know that this topic was going to stir up so much concern. Oh

well, I started it. As I stated in my last e-mail I was all too consumed

with the static electricity concern when was first implanted. I feel

that I have found a happy medium. I know that yes, she probably runs a risk

shocking her processor when sliding down the plastic slide (which is seldom

since the park near us has a metal slide) but the processor can be fixed or

replaced. She wears it in the cochlear pouch on her back in a sports bra. I

want her to know that she MUST remove the disk from her head. I do not want

the internal device to malfunction. She does not run a risk of static

electricity damage to the internal device by sliding down the slide if the

disk is taken off her head. She is only two but I want her to develop

awareness about her implant and not be dependent on me to take it off in

unsafe situations. Of course, due to her age I am always there conditioning

her but in three years she will be going to our public school kindergarten.

I don't want her to resent her implant which I believe will happen if she

is restricted with her activities. She does not take off her implant unless

she is asleep or in water. In the morning she asks, " Where is 's

ear? " (ear meaning processor) I equate me taking off her implant on the

playground to me taking off my glasses. She is so proud of her implant and

thinks she is special since no one else in her family has one. She will

sometimes walk up to me and say " 's implant " pointing to her disk. I

will respond with " Wow, do I (Daddy, Miranda, Grandma, etc.) have an

implant? " and with fluctuation in her voice she will respond " Noooooo " . I

am so proud of my daughter and her progress I would not do anything to

damage this device that has opened up her world. O.K. I'm off my soap box

now. Whew...

Take Care,

Monika (Proud Mom to Miranda- hearing 7yrs old, and 2 1/2yrs- N24

7/31/01)

She >From: srkearns@...

>Reply-To: Listen-Up

>To: Listen-Up

>Subject: Re: Gyms and Cochlear Implants

>Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 19:58:00 EDT

>

>In a message dated 9/5/2002 4:09:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,

>little_emmi@... writes:

>

>

> > I make

> > sure she takes the disk off her head as she slides and when she is at

>the

> > bottom she puts it back on. is only 2 and has put the processor

>and

> > cords through the ringer.

>

>Monika,

>Before our son got his implant at the end of July we too were concerned

>about

>static issues. We didn't know what to expect, but we haven't taken any

>special precautions so far. >

> Kearns

>'s mom, 22 months, MedEL CI 7/30/02

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Asked:

I was wondering about what you said about the

>slides. I thought the issue was the processor part getting deprogramed

>from

>the static. I didn't think it had anything to do with the magnet being on

>or

>off the head. Can you explain?

I didn't know that this topic was going to stir up so much concern. Oh

well, I started it. As I stated in my last e-mail I was all too consumed

with the static electricity concern when was first implanted. I feel

that I have found a happy medium. I know that yes, she probably runs a risk

shocking her processor when sliding down the plastic slide (which is seldom

since the park near us has a metal slide) but the processor can be fixed or

replaced. She wears it in the cochlear pouch on her back in a sports bra. I

want her to know that she MUST remove the disk from her head. I do not want

the internal device to malfunction. She does not run a risk of static

electricity damage to the internal device by sliding down the slide if the

disk is taken off her head. She is only two but I want her to develop

awareness about her implant and not be dependent on me to take it off in

unsafe situations. Of course, due to her age I am always there conditioning

her but in three years she will be going to our public school kindergarten.

I don't want her to resent her implant which I believe will happen if she

is restricted with her activities. She does not take off her implant unless

she is asleep or in water. In the morning she asks, " Where is 's

ear? " (ear meaning processor) I equate me taking off her implant on the

playground to me taking off my glasses. She is so proud of her implant and

thinks she is special since no one else in her family has one. She will

sometimes walk up to me and say " 's implant " pointing to her disk. I

will respond with " Wow, do I (Daddy, Miranda, Grandma, etc.) have an

implant? " and with fluctuation in her voice she will respond " Noooooo " . I

am so proud of my daughter and her progress I would not do anything to

damage this device that has opened up her world. O.K. I'm off my soap box

now. Whew...

Take Care,

Monika (Proud Mom to Miranda- hearing 7yrs old, and 2 1/2yrs- N24

7/31/01)

She >From: srkearns@...

>Reply-To: Listen-Up

>To: Listen-Up

>Subject: Re: Gyms and Cochlear Implants

>Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 19:58:00 EDT

>

>In a message dated 9/5/2002 4:09:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,

>little_emmi@... writes:

>

>

> > I make

> > sure she takes the disk off her head as she slides and when she is at

>the

> > bottom she puts it back on. is only 2 and has put the processor

>and

> > cords through the ringer.

>

>Monika,

>Before our son got his implant at the end of July we too were concerned

>about

>static issues. We didn't know what to expect, but we haven't taken any

>special precautions so far. >

> Kearns

>'s mom, 22 months, MedEL CI 7/30/02

>

>

>