Rechargeable batteries

In July 2007 we discovered from other parents that there were rechargeable batteries available.... just not in Norway.
We did find them in Holland and ordered them. We have been using them since they arrived, about january.

The way we do it:
Lotte can use them the whole day. When she goes to sleep, we start recharging the batteries and when we go to bed, 4-5 hours later, they are mostly recharged.
So, we put them back in the processor, ready to be used the following day.

No more counting days. ("was it 3 days ago we put in new ones, or 2 ???")

Currently, may 2008, 1 of the rechargeable batteries is not working properly and is sent to the distributor to be checked. Fortunately, we just change back to the old ones...

Reference - more info: Cochlear Freedom Battery Model: z60839

Swimming - With CI - Why Not !!

Lotte & swimming is a great combination. The one minor setback was that she could not wear her CI. We used signs when we were in the pool, but it was clear that for us - and Lotte - that it mattered that she couldn't hear..

We planned a nice vacation to Gran Canaria, and we were not looking forward to running around the pool - looking for eye-contact in order to sign...

Some time ago we came across an excellent suggestion for swimming with the CI... (via CiCircle, pointing to a YouTube video.... see below.) You do need to have the rechargeable batteries for this (as the others need O2 to operate), and since November we are using them. (To our delight.. another success story...)

The solution is to seal the processor and coil in a plastic bag. (Video on YouTube..)
However... we don't own one of those "seal & vacuum" machines for the kitchen like shown in the video, and getting one in Norway is not easy - nor cheap. Especially for an experiment like this.
Dutch as we are, or just creative, ( :-o) we found those plastic bags that can be closed with an air ( and water-) tight seal/strip. (Zip-lock bags I am told..)

So... we put the CI processor and coil in the bag.... closed the seal, put it all in a second bag (just to be sure) and all this went under a swimming cap....
And ... it worked!!
The coil has enough magnetic force to go through 2 plastic bags, and the processor will pick up sound through 2 bags AND a swimming-cap.!

Lotte loved it, and for us, being able to talk to her when she is in the pool reduces a lot of stress....
In the pool she is very happy on her own, but we do see the will to understand her siblings and the other children. And let's face it, the sounds around the swimming-pool are part of the experience. Same for experiencing sound under water....
And it seems as if she experimented with it... she would lie in the water, head (processor) under water and just lying there.... very "Zen"....

------------------ Below the video that gave us the inspiration ------------------