Monday 13 November 2006

What does Lotte feel, what does she hear...??

One problem for parents with young children that have CI is to grasp what the actual experience of CI is like. Obviously, these children have no previous experience of sound, so there is nothing to compare it with. Their experience is as it is. For them it's normal.

In a previous post, there was focus on how we as parents of young children with CI go through the same experiences and how this makes an invisible bond.
But also the older people that actually have CI in the messageboards are close to us. This because they can give us an insight in our childrens world.

One example, discussed before, is the feeling of the CI or coil being put on or taken off.

I have copied part of the posts (that I copied into the comments) below, but a couple of experiences I have put down here. It's a wonderful insight about how it might be for Lotte; even thought every experience might be different. (As said, more info in the comments...)

AllDeaf, september 2006

Its more like a whine - its the complete *absence* of sound -like severe tinitus that lasts about 30 seconds. I think its the auditory nerve getting used to going from a state of high stimulation to nothing.
whoosh or whine, well stand in the room where your tv is with sound on. blow a whistle to yourself then suddenly stop, notice it is quiet for a second the sound start hitting your ear eh.
AllDeaf, november 2006
When I attach the coil I hear whatever is in the vincinity - be it voices, music, whatever- there's no "waiting period" or needing to get used to it - [...]

However, when I take the coil OFF, I get what is like a high pitched "whine" sound - [...]
I always get that weird sensation when I take my coil off, it lasts about 2 seconds. [...]

As for putting on the CI, I get like loud beeps [...] for 3-4 seconds...not too loud, but is noticable.

9 comments:

Cloggy said...

(http://www.alldeaf.com/hearing-aids-cochlear-implants/27616-experiences-my-daughter-2.html?highlight=woosh#post524839)
Neecy. Wanted to ask you,

You said you heared a woosh when the CI falls off.
How is that with other things..

Like: Do you get interference from mobile phones like when one is lying next to the computer, the computer will pick it up.

Also, putting it on in the morning. Do you start at a lower level and then turn the "volume" up.
Lotte has no problem starting off at the level she uses during the day. Just wonder how that is for her. I read that for some people the first sound in the morning is sharp, might hurt.

Just want to get a view in her experience, even though I know it is defferent for each person.

Anonymous said...

Cloggy:[i]
Neecy. Wanted to ask you,

You said you heared a woosh when the CI falls off.
How is that with other things..[/i]
Its more like a whine - its the complete *absence* of sound -like severe tinitus that lasts about 30 seconds. I think its the auditory nerve getting used to going from a state of high stimulation to nothing.

Cloggy:[i]
Like: Do you get interference from mobile phones like when one is lying next to the computer, the computer will pick it up.[/i]
nope no interference whatsoever

Cloggy:
[i]Also, putting it on in the morning. Do you start at a lower level and then turn the "volume" up. Lotte has no problem starting off at the level she uses during the day. Just wonder how that is for her. I read that for some people the first sound in the morning is sharp, might hurt.[/i]
Nope I turn it on at the normal level (I keep it at around 11). It takes me a minute or two to adjust (again - the auditory nerve going from nothing to full stimulation takes a moment to adapt). But everybody is different - there might be some who are sensitive to sound initially and have to start with it at a quieter setting. I've had no problems.

Cloggy:[i]
Just want to get a view in her experience, even though I know it is different for each person.[/i]
I'm glad! I love hearing about her experiences as well! I'm always willing to answer questions - that goes for you or anybody else here

Anonymous said...

Whoosh or whine, well stand in the room where your tv is with sound on. blow a whistle to yourself then suddenly stop, notice it is quiet for a second the sound start hitting your ear eh. Does that help make sense?

Anonymous said...

When I attach the coil I hear whatever is in the vincinity - be it voices, music, whatever- there's no "waiting period" or needing to get used to it - in fact I've been in a situation where I didn't have my CI on and the phone rang, so I immediately grabbed the CI and turned it on and had a perfectly fine conversation.

However, when I take the coil OFF, I get what is like a high pitched "whine" sound - I guess the best way to interperet it is my auditory nerve saying "hey where's the SOUND??" as it goes from being fully stimulated to nothing. At first it was a bit odd and I had to get used to it, but now its just "normal."

Anonymous said...

Neecy:
When I attach the coil I hear whatever is in the vincinity - be it voices, music, whatever- there's no "waiting period" or needing to get used to it - in fact I've been in a situation where I didn't have my CI on and the phone rang, so I immediately grabbed the CI and turned it on and had a perfectly fine conversation.

Ummm...I rather slowly start off without lots of noise (moderate noise is fine). If I have to start off with a loud situation, I'll do it. It just isn't pleasant until I get used to it. That is why I don't start up until I get to work and I work in a very quiet environment thankfully. Gives me a chance to get in the swing of things. Once on, it doesn't come off until the evening.
Neecy:
However, when I take the coil OFF, I get what is like a high pitched "whine" sound - I guess the best way to interperet it is my auditory nerve saying "hey where's the SOUND??" as it goes from being fully stimulated to nothing. At first it was a bit odd and I had to get used to it, but now its just "normal."

Yea, I get that same "whine" after shutdown. It is like tinnitus but thankfully after a minute or two it is dead silence. I actually enjoy it after a day's hearing...

Anonymous said...

sr171soars:
Yea, I get that same "whine" after shutdown. It is like tinnitus but thankfully after a minute or two it is dead silence. I actually enjoy it after a day's hearing...

I think Erin has a similar opinion. She loves to hear us read her bedtime story, and sing a short song... but once we are done, she pulls the coil off, points to the reading lamp to be turned off, points to her crib, signs sleep and that is THAT.

Anonymous said...

momtotoes,
Having to concentrate on listening gets very tiring. From reading and talking to adults with CI, it seems that at the end of the day, they are mentally worn out from listening so hard.
We usually "unplug" Lilly about an hour before bedtime everynight. This gives her an hour of unstimulated free time where she can unwind. She goes to sleep alot easier this way. On a side note, it is also a great time to work on sign and lipreading.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I always get that weird sensation when I take my coil off, it lasts about 2 seconds. I don't really like the sensation but I can deal with it.

As for putting on the CI, I get like loud beeps (I'm not sure what to call it actually) for 3-4 seconds...not too loud, but is noticable.

Laurie said...

For me, it is like muting and unmuting the TV or radio. Sound or no sound. In the beginning, I was "shocked" a little but that part gradually went away. Now, if my daughter's alarm clock is BLARING in the next room when I put my CI on, then I get a *shock!*

(Some) Milestones

  • 2013-08: Grade 6
  • 2012-08: Grade 5
  • 2011-08: Grade 4
  • 2011-03: BTE's on the ear
  • 2010-08: Grade 3
  • 2009-08: Grade 2
  • 2008-08: Mainstream School (6y. old)
  • 2006-10: All-hearing Kindergarten (4y. old)
  • 2004-11-22: CI activated (27 m. old)
  • 2004-10-04: Bi-lateral CI (26 m. old)
  • 2003-08: Deaf/HOH/CI Pre-school/"DEAF" Kindergarten (12m. old)
  • 2003-07: HA's fitted (11 m. old)
  • 2003-06: Diagnosed deaf. Start sign-language (10m. old)
  • 2002-11: Suspicion loss of hearing (4 m. old)
  • 2002-08: Born - A fierce LION
--- Google Analytics