Adjusting for bi - modal loss

Just to understand your question: did you mean that as "bi-modal person" you have a cochlear implant on one ear and a hearing aid on the other one?
I am asking because I will have a cochlear implant surgery this month and will get a compatible hearing aid for the other ear, a configuration called "Bimodal". All adjustments following activation of the implant will be done by a trained audiologist who belongs to the clinic.

While you are waiting for a cocleear implant how can you comunicate without using captions.?

Deborah sorry to interrupt I am getting an implant in oct. rigght meow I have tow hearing air because the sound from the right is carried to the left my rigght eye is dead. I will bring that up. Thanks

Yes.

I am bimodal with both a hearing aid and a cochlear implant. I have found that the CI audiologist who assists me has a better understanding of the bimodal situation than my hearing aid audiologist for the most part.

This is a bit tricky because my products are not compatible. I have a Widex hearing aid and a Cochlear Americas implant (Freedom) which I received in 2005. In 2005 there was no 'compatibility' feature, nor were the accessories like the mini mic available yet. To make the two products work together I used a neckloop with the telecoils in both. In a venue with a hearing loop, I simply turned on those telecoils and connected. With FM or IR the neckloop plugged into the receivers provided. They all worked well for me.

While I tried a recent version of the ReSound hearing aid that is compatible with my N8 CI processor 2 years ago, I didn't hear as well as I had with the Widex in typical situations. I worked on that for 6 weeks and ended up returning the ReSound and went back to the old Widex. I'm now at the point of needing a new hearing aid. I'll give a more recent ReSound a try again as I know that having them work together is a logical improvement. I use the Cochlear mini mic in noisy social settings. Due to incompatibility, my hearing aid won't work with that accessory. That's the tough part.

This is a complex issue for a couple reasons. The ReSound with rechargeable batteries does not have a built in telecoil. What a shame! The model with a telecoil uses disposable batteries. I have no issue with that other than convenience. I just want them to work together with the available accessories. Telecoil connectivity is priceless. (So is Bluetooth in some situations. I want/need both.)

Again, though...this is 2 years after my last experience, so I'm hoping for a better outcome.

My hearing aid audiologist is a gem. It is difficult to change providers, but sometimes it's the only way to get things figured out. With the current CI products, it is different than it was even a decade ago.

I have absolutely no regrets about being bimodal. I know I would currently qualify for a second CI, but the bimodality has kept me in the hearing mainstream. I'm very thankful for that so am where I am by choice.

Julieo4

I also have a Cochlear America CI Nucleus 7. I have a Resound Nexia aid. It does not have a telecoil but both devices are direct Bluetooth - they can be paired with other BT transmitting devices. I use the Resound / Cochlear TV streamer for streaming off of about any device that has an audio send. The Cochlear cell phone app is nice, if you have a Resound the two companies are working together - They pair to each other. and they will accept BT streaming pairing from several sources, so you don't have to re- pair each time. It's really great for cell phone use- audio straight to your devices on both sides. Or direct stream from your car audio. But telecoil is being phased out, in favor of bluetooth.

BTW if you need a remote microphone, you can use your iPhone for one.

As far as sound quality, I use modifications of Resound's "Music" Channel and the (Ask your audi) Target Mode DSLv5 Pediatrics, for improves response. I use no sound processors, either, but that is another story. I work with music a lot, performing, recording and mixing, so I have to have the best sound I can get. It's not perfect, and getting used to hearing treble out of the CI and low end out of the Aid, gets to be tricky, but it works well for me.

My issue is this - there doesn't seem to be a established process of adjusting the two devices to work as a pair, and then testing the response in realistic sound environments. Like you, I have an audiologist for the aid, and another audi for the CI, so a bi-modal person is stuck in the middle..

Stuck in the middle says it all! 🙂 Seriously though, telecoils are not being phased out. Those who find them extremely useful will continue to advocate for them. Whatever works for you best, right?

Many venues have spent thousands of dollars installing the technology that meshes with telecoils in hearing aids and cochlear processors. They are not going to quickly move to new technologies to be in conformity with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Auracast, a form of Bluetooth is coming in the future, but most people in the know feel that could be a decade away. We advise people who purchase hearing aids to insist on both telecoils and Auracast connectivity in new products they purchase now. Manufacturers should get that message too.

Older types of BT do connect with phones, computers, assisted listening systems, etc. However, they often require an accessory device to do that. For example, a Cochlear/ReSound mini mic, which is a terrific product as a handheld microphone that works well in noisy social settings can connect to a hearing loop in a venue with its built in telecoil. HOWEVER, like your cell phone it has to be charged and available for use in that venue. It's one more thing to have to carry. Much easier to use your telecoil equipped hearing instrument and CI processor to connect seamlessly. Think how frustrating it would be to use the mini mic during dinner in a restaurant, and have it run out of juice in the middle of a play at a performing arts center.

Lots to think about. We are fortunate to be living in an era when accessibility is possible. The ease of connecting to that accessibility matters. We want to hear!

There are a lot of people, especially seniors, who are totally frustrated by cell phone issues with connectivity for so many things. This will change in time, but it is currently a big issue. Meanwhile, maybe we can find some humor in it!