@wired4sound
Wow - what an encouraging story. I'm older - 70 with a progressive moderate/severe hearing loss in both ears, and HA's. I've been thinking of cochlear implants as last gasp, only maybe beneficial, technology to help me in my eighties. But maybe I should be looking forward to getting them!
@wired4sound
Wow - what an encouraging story. I'm older - 70 with a progressive moderate/severe hearing loss in both ears, and HA's. I've been thinking of cochlear implants as last gasp, only maybe beneficial, technology to help me in my eighties. But maybe I should be looking forward to getting them!
@wiredforsound
Thanks for the information. Right now I think I'll have to wait for Medicare to cover, but I'm definitely checking out the situation in case I can speed things up.
@wiredforsound
Thanks for the information. Right now I think I'll have to wait for Medicare to cover, but I'm definitely checking out the situation in case I can speed things up.
Medicare does cover in most cases. I think their requirements is under 40% discrimination with hearing aids and severe/profound hearing loss. Good luck! 🙂
Your cochlear implant center can make sure you qualify under Medicare. Although I love my cochlear implant - I’ve had it for just under ten years - I agree with the experts who say you should continue with a hearing aid as long as you are benefiting from it. I qualify for a second c.i. but I am hearing very well with my hearing aid plus the first c.i. I won’t hesitate when it’s time but for now I think my hearing is as good as it can be. The newer hybrid cochlear implants are also great, in that they preserve high frequency hearing. If that’s your audiogram pattern you should look into that option.
I agree that age is not a factor.
@tulip, @asklar02492, I'd like to hear from an audiologist on this. I think guessing at the words is actually encouraged -- but not because it means you'll do better on the test and thus not be eligible for insurance coverage. The test shows the sounds you can and cannot hear -- the various vowel and consonant sounds -- and helps the audiologist make a more accurate assessment of your needs. As for the tone test, the tones are repeated and if you miss a tone one time but get it another it doesn't really mean anything because the audiologist can go back and test that same tone again -- I think! Are there any audiologists reading this who can confirm or clarify?
Guessing on the CI qualification tests is not encouraged, at least not the way it is done in the US. These tests are to find out what you actually understand, not how well you have learned to cope with your hearing loss. If a sentence is "The river was high because of the rain" and you heard "river, high, rain" that is 38% of the words. If you add in "The, because, of, the", that is now 89%, even though you just guessed at what those words were and did not really understand them. The tone test is not part of the actual CI qualifications in the US but it is used as a baseline to see if it is worth testing for CI's. The CI testing is different then the HA testing.
@tulip@katherinebouton
Thanks for all the information. I have a lot to learn about how, why and when cochlear implants are considered necessary. This is probably because audiologists and physicians figure I'm at least a decade away from being a candidate, and because I don't ask enough questions. But It's really reassuring to catch a glimpse of my long term hearing prospects. It was sad and discouraging to see my father and grandmother age into complete deafness. I'm so grateful that the the technology has progressed so that I can imagine and hope that my situation will be better.
what type to get should be determined by the type of loss you have, whether or not you have a CI or hearing aid in the other ear and need synchronized streaming,... your otologist/audiologist/surgeon should be able to explain the differences among the 3 top brands. one thing to keep in mind is if you should need an MRI at some point, up to what level tesla (unit of strength of magnetic field in MRI) your implant allows.
My audiologist says I have what it takes to be a candidate for Cochlear implant. The stereotypes had me terrified. Thank you so much for posting your experiences, I am encouraged. I could sure use better hearing! I miss out on 80% even with my Resound 3D HAs and the myriad adjustments I make after the HAs have assessed my hearing environment.
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I will! Can't wait!
@wired4sound
Wow - what an encouraging story. I'm older - 70 with a progressive moderate/severe hearing loss in both ears, and HA's. I've been thinking of cochlear implants as last gasp, only maybe beneficial, technology to help me in my eighties. But maybe I should be looking forward to getting them!
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1 ReactionI've seen 90+ year olds get them and say it was totally worth it. Don't wait. Don't think you are too old. Go get an evaluation.
@wiredforsound
Thanks for the information. Right now I think I'll have to wait for Medicare to cover, but I'm definitely checking out the situation in case I can speed things up.
Medicare does cover in most cases. I think their requirements is under 40% discrimination with hearing aids and severe/profound hearing loss. Good luck! 🙂
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYour cochlear implant center can make sure you qualify under Medicare. Although I love my cochlear implant - I’ve had it for just under ten years - I agree with the experts who say you should continue with a hearing aid as long as you are benefiting from it. I qualify for a second c.i. but I am hearing very well with my hearing aid plus the first c.i. I won’t hesitate when it’s time but for now I think my hearing is as good as it can be. The newer hybrid cochlear implants are also great, in that they preserve high frequency hearing. If that’s your audiogram pattern you should look into that option.
I agree that age is not a factor.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsGuessing on the CI qualification tests is not encouraged, at least not the way it is done in the US. These tests are to find out what you actually understand, not how well you have learned to cope with your hearing loss. If a sentence is "The river was high because of the rain" and you heard "river, high, rain" that is 38% of the words. If you add in "The, because, of, the", that is now 89%, even though you just guessed at what those words were and did not really understand them. The tone test is not part of the actual CI qualifications in the US but it is used as a baseline to see if it is worth testing for CI's. The CI testing is different then the HA testing.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@tulip @katherinebouton
Thanks for all the information. I have a lot to learn about how, why and when cochlear implants are considered necessary. This is probably because audiologists and physicians figure I'm at least a decade away from being a candidate, and because I don't ask enough questions. But It's really reassuring to catch a glimpse of my long term hearing prospects. It was sad and discouraging to see my father and grandmother age into complete deafness. I'm so grateful that the the technology has progressed so that I can imagine and hope that my situation will be better.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactionswhat type to get should be determined by the type of loss you have, whether or not you have a CI or hearing aid in the other ear and need synchronized streaming,... your otologist/audiologist/surgeon should be able to explain the differences among the 3 top brands. one thing to keep in mind is if you should need an MRI at some point, up to what level tesla (unit of strength of magnetic field in MRI) your implant allows.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMy audiologist says I have what it takes to be a candidate for Cochlear implant. The stereotypes had me terrified. Thank you so much for posting your experiences, I am encouraged. I could sure use better hearing! I miss out on 80% even with my Resound 3D HAs and the myriad adjustments I make after the HAs have assessed my hearing environment.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions