Got my TransEar...I can hear you now!!!

[Static]

Cheryl,
I have been following your story and waiting also to hear from my audiologist.  When I spoke with my insurance company they told me that they do not cover hearing aids regardless of the reason it is needed , so I am waiting to hear if I can get help from OVR.  I would love to be able to hear on the right also instead of always saying "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you", or telling whoever it is that I have to get them on my good side, it really is annoying!  I guess you're getting anxious about getting the thing fitted properly, I know I would be!  I hope this works well for you!  Keep us all posted.
~Karen

[matti]

I am not experiencing any directional sound, but when someone is close to my deaf ear, I find that I am not constantly turning my head or asking them to repeat. I still have some trouble in noisy environments, but then again, I am still using the first TransEar which is not transferring sound properly. Still not able to wear the replacement TransEar until it is filed down and programmed next week. It has been sitting in a box on my dresser since December 21st....I am trying my best to be very patient

Cheryl

[Boppie]

Yessss Cheryl,  ...this new ability to not turn your head every which way to talk with people on the deaf side.  That is the greatest benefit for me with my TransEar.  I think people who use Phonak CROS or Starkey for SSD must find similar benefit. 

[ppearl214]

Cheryl,

Beanie, CB and I are sending huggles... I know you are frustrated as all heck.. and thrilled Boppie (blows kiss ) can help you along with this as well...

Hang tough hun!
xoxooxoxxoxo

me

[Timjk]

Good morning Boppie.. The Phonak hearing aids I wear are the MicroPiower.
They just came out with them this past year. here is the link.
................   http://www.phonak.com/com_028_0073-xx_micropower_ix_brochure_professional.pdf

It is one of only a couple of hearing aids with the receiver(speaker) in the ear canal
The majority of BTE (behind the ear) aids have an 80 db. power maximum output. Because the receiver is in the canal on the micropower the max. db level is 132 !!!!!!  That is off the scale !!  I wear aids in both ears for my hearing loss.
Remember, I don't even go for my first appointment of the AN's until Monday, so all this information may mean nothing concerning hearing loss due to surgery.
I have what is labeled moderate to severe hearing loss. These are the third set of hearing aids I have had over a 7 year period and they are the best ones yet..
You will find hearing aid technology is like computer tech. A bigger,better model comes out every year... I just wanted to share my information with you..
 Tim

[Battyp]

I have an appt today with a hearing specialist to be evaluted for a starkey model and the phonak model Tim mentioned.  Should prove to be interesting.  I'll keep everyone update on what I find out!  Maybe my neck won't hurt as much if I dont' have to keep turning it to hear?  LOL

[okiesandy]

I have an appointment to get my Transear Jan. 12. My neurotologist is very skeptical about this. At first the doctor I visited for the tests and fitting was also. Now he seems to be more positive. He says anything that will improve my quality of life he is for. I have such small ear canals that he says this may cause me some discomfort at first. He also says the trick is in the fitting. If not fitted correctly they will not work as well.  I will be his first patient with the Transear.

All of my tests showed that I have very good bone conduction. I scored as high as you can go on that.  He thinks I will not have problems. I am very determined that this will work. However, during the process of making the mold my ear was kind of irritated for a while. If this works I will be one happy camper. I am more than a little tired of not being able to hear on the left side. Makes the drive thru experience very exciting at the bank.

This doctor also thinks that my balance may improve with the Transear. Long explination of why. My Neurotologist says bah. He also said bah to CK.

Sandy

[Static]

Cheryl,
Sorry about the long wait.  It would drive me bonkers!  Hopefully something will happen very soon for you.  I have my fingers crossed!
~Karen

[Lorenzo]

HI Cheryl,

Can I ask you, where did you get your TransEar fitted? Hope you don't mind me asking.

Ciao, Lorenzo

[Battyp]

Ok are you guys ready for hearing aids 101?  LOL
I went and saw a hearing aid specialist.  This is after I saw an audiologist who told me there was nothing that could be done for my ssd.  I find banks and drive throughs not something I tackle without my son's ears in the car with me!

The specialist was surprised to find I am totally deaf in my left ear.  My tinnitus is profoundly loud which was unusual according to her.  She also reiterated my first ENT screwed up.  I did learn that it's best to wait until the two year mark before checking into hearing aids to give your nerves and brain plenty of time to heal and learn to adapt.  I still can not hear a car approaching behind me.  I was evaluated for a sharkey brand and a phonak brand.  It was explained to me that the cross might be an option down the road and they will let me try one for 60 days to see how well it works before I have to purchase anything.  The micropower that Tim mentioned is on the cross line and is top of the line and would be an option too.  She was not familar with transear but was going to do some research and get back to me.  The tiny bit of hearing I have she really feels is from bone conduction as she masked my right ear at 90 decibels and gave me sound to 110 in my left ear and I didn't respond to it.  The tinnitus in my left ear was as loud as the masking in my right ear.  So..I guess for now I'm still in wait mode.  Waiting for Voc rehab, waiting for the 2 years, waiting waiting waiting..now why couldn't I be wait when diagnosed  LOL

[Boppie]

Phooey!  I don't get it.  Why can't the audiologists and otolaryngologists get on the same page.  And how come the BAHA is functioning only 3 months after SSD occurs.   

I couldn't disagree more about needing to wait for a hearing aid.  My doctor wanted me to get a hearing aid asap.  I feel 100% different about myself having a bit of hearing on my deaf side.  Being out in the real world with real conversations is just normal and who doesn't want to feel and appear to be normal?  I guess I am just too crabby to accept some of the stuff some so called "experts" say.  After all they ought to know about SSD.     There! I got that out of my system.  Anybody got a fire hose?

No reflection on you, Michelle. 

[matti]

Hi Lorenzo (my other brother ) - My TransEar was fitted through my audiologist at the California Ear Institute (by Stanford), same place I had my surgery. Happy New year too you!!!

TransEar update: Today I attended a meeting in which I would normally have sat deaf ear against the wall. I placed myself in the center of the room and found that I could hear conversations of people sitting close to me on all sides. It was not directional sound, but as soon as I did a visual on those sitting in my area, I was able to surmise who was speaking and what they were saying. I found that by putting pressure on the transfer unit, I get a better quality and volume of sound (true on all aides).

So for the first time since attending my meetings, today with TransEar I felt like I was part of the group and did not have the feeling of isolation. Things should continue to improve when new transEar is fitted properly next week.

Cheryl

[Battyp]

Cheryl sounds promising!  Since I was told I was hearing through bone conduction today made me think the transear might be a better fit.

I hear you Lois!  So far none of the so called experts can get on the same page or tell me something more than I already know or think  LOL  Her biggest mistake was telling me they'll give me a two month free trial.  You know darn good and well I'll go back if nothing is happening with VR for the free trial  LOL

[Jeanlea]

Cheryl,  happy to hear that you could hear on both sides at your meeting.  I'm so looking forward to that.  If my TransEar comes in on time  I will have before my next big meeting and can really test it out.  My audiologist said that her clinic gives a 45 day trial period.  Cheryl, you mentioned 30 days.  Is that from TransEar or from the clinic where you got the TransEar?

Jean

[Battyp]

I know state wise Fl they have to give you 30 days.  I would think it's a state thing maybe? 

Cheryl?