Author Topic: Christmas in July  (Read 2520 times)

james e

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Christmas in July
« on: July 30, 2010, 01:51:46 pm »
Got my BAHA plugged in yesterday...better than a new bicycle at Christmas. Scary at first. The audiologist plugged it in, walked way, and asked if it was loud enough. Well, I didn't hear a darn thing. Have you ever heard that Peggy Lee song, "Is that all there is?" I'm wondering, "Did I go through all 'that' just to listen to 'this.'...nothing? Then she said..."forgot to turn it on!"

I took about 3 minutes to get it set up for me. I am very highly impressed...far more than I expected to be. If insurance is not an issue, and you are wondering about BAHA as an option, don't wait until tomorrow to make up your mind...

Following the adjustment, we did a hearing test, and I went home a happy boy. Can you remember seeing one of your kids or grandkids get a trophy or merit badge, and just watch the totally uncontrolled smile on their face...that's how I felt yesterday.

If Cochlear wants a salesperson or a spokesperson, they can call on me. Remember how much of a mess you were when you found out you had an AN. The BAHA just turned it all around. Life changer!

Jim Scott

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Re: Christmas in July
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2010, 03:29:11 pm »
James ~

Congratulations on your new BAHA!  I love to read these posts full of of elation when an SSD person finds relief from their partial deafness with a BAHA and wants to share their good news.  Thanks!

Jim
« Last Edit: August 03, 2010, 03:24:39 pm by Jim Scott »
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Christmas in July
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2010, 04:38:14 pm »
James -

I'm SO thrilled you share my love of the BAHA  ;D

My enthusiasm led me to become a Cochlear volunteer - a "job" I truly love.  You can find out more about becoming a volunteer at www.cochlearcommunity.com   

Or send an email to KaraMurphy@cochlear.com  Kara just mentioned to me last evening that Cochlear is always looking for volunteers and I know she'd be very happy to have you.

Just tell her Jan Benjamin sent you  ;D
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

tenai98

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Re: Christmas in July
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2010, 04:54:11 pm »
woohoo another happy camper...I love mine too....even thou I cannot hear the difference when I"m wearing it, I certainly 'hear' the difference when I"m not wearing it.
JO
14mmX11mmX11mm left ear
TRANSLAB 04/07/09 2cms at time of surgery
Dr. Benoit and Schramm, Ottawa Civic Campus
SSD ,some facial numbness
Baha surgery sept 22/09
residual tumor 13mmX7mmX8mm
2016 new growth.  25mmX21mmX22mm
cyberknife on June 7

Brewers7

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Re: Christmas in July
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2010, 05:09:43 pm »
James,
     I am so excited for you.  Please keep us posted.  They are trying to schedule my BAHA surgery soon.  It seems that no one in this area has much experience with it, so I may have to go somewhere else.  Susan
Translab surgery 12/15/2008 followed by CSF leakage repair and 3 additional surgeries for MRSA of the brain (NOT typical) SSD,  facial and vocal cord paralysis, numerous reconstructive surgeries, Transear 12/2010

dalern

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Re: Christmas in July
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2010, 07:55:57 pm »
James,
I am so glad to hear about your success.  I'm going to be "turned on" on September 30th and am really looking forward to it.  I was in a store working with a tech person this morning and it was very noisy around us.  He was standing on my SSD side and I was miserable trying to understand what he was saying to me.  I missed about 50% of it.  All I could think was, "wow, another 60 days and I won't be so miserable!"   ;D ;D
~Dale
Dale Barnes, RN, MSN, CLNC
Tarzana, CA
1998 Sudden Onset Idiopathic Sensorineural  hearing loss diagnosed at House Ear Institute, Los Angeles
BAHA June 30, 2010 Dr. Jeffrey Harris UCSD San Diego

james e

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Re: Christmas in July
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2010, 11:40:59 am »
I was very anxious to know what it sounded like, and it does sound somewhat like an old AM radio. I am very much aware of the sound. My wife already has commented that the TV and radio is turned back down to its normal level. I turn it up to a level that is a little loud, then back it down a couple of turns...just perfect. If you plug up your good ear, and just turn it up enough to understand a normal conversation, that works for me. It is very much a "background" sensation that "feels" normal.

Kencutus

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Re: Christmas in July
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2010, 12:04:12 pm »
Good!  Another happy Baha camper!  Glad you like it! ;)
It will take a while to get used the adjusting sound levels.  I know cuz I have to do it with my bilateral Bahas.
"Hearing Resistance is Futile!"
Treacher Collin's Syndrome
First surgery left side 12-08, Baha Intenso 3-09
Abbutment came loose on 5-09
Bilateral Baha surgery 6-09 Baha refitted 9-09
Richard & Mark Wiet MD from Ear Institute of Chicago.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Christmas in July
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2010, 03:05:23 pm »
James -

the "radio" sound will go away as you get used to wearing your processor. 

I had to start wearing my Divino again the other day - BP100 was sent back to Cochlear for repairs (another story for another thread).  I had forgotten how "radio-like" the Divino sounded.  The BP100 has a much smoother, natural sound.

Enjoy!

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways