http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php Copyright 2012, Zoe Zoe en-US SPHPBLOG 0.4.7.1 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120202-204157
I heard some new sounds this week. Fireworks while I was talking to my OH on the phone. Yep I heard fire works in the back group his end ! Who would have thought that would have been possible!

On the train I heard the driver announce a stop we were arriving at and it was incorrect making me laugh out loud. ( he announced we were arriving at a stop we had just left )

I can sometimes hear the person on the other end of other people's calls when I am on the tram.

Phone calls are getting easier each year.

Life s fun!]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120202-204157 Zoe Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:41:57 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=12&m=02&entry=entry120202-204157 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100320-212817
Today I was expecting a call so I made sure it was not set to vibarate but to music.

My partner brought me a new nokia loop which has blue tooth. I tried it out with him calling me on his iphone and me using my oldish nokia. It sounded very clear and you can turn it up.

I tend to not use a loop when I call J but in a noisy enviroment it could be useful, or perhaps with someone I was not heairng as well.

I always use a loop with my work phone as it is an older phone and I cannot hear it without the loop.

*sigh*]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100320-212817 Zoe Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:28:17 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100320-212817 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100316-165251
Later that week we watched the movie and there was a few things I missed that would of added to the experience but not much.

So now I want to go and watch it again! The cast were so talented, that it is worth going back to see it for the second time (not cheap though is it!)

In April we are going to go and see Cats!]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100316-165251 Zoe Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:52:51 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=03&entry=entry100316-165251 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100227-165726 the first time in 33 years I did not need to sit at the front. In fact
I was really struggling at the front and couldn't figure out why. I
told a friend and she suggested I sat in the middle. and to my
amazement - it was just right, only problem was I then felt odd as I
am so use to sitting in the front!]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100227-165726 Zoe Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:57:26 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=02&entry=entry100227-165726 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100227-090517
I am finding that when I hear an odd sound, most of the time after a good think I can identify it. The other day it was a tiny clock ticking.

I can hear other people's ipod music!

I over heard a conversation that someone was having on their mobile and heard both people speaking rather than just the one that I could see. (That was interesting)

I do not need to tell people that I am deaf as much (those who walk in to your life briefly) but I still tend to because it helps.

I am starting to realise that if I am having trouble on the phone some of the time it tends to be because they are in a poor cover area. Or they have a bad line, or they just have a really bad telephone voice. It’s not always me. I tend to tell most people that I am hearing impaired. Everyone I have told about my hearing loss, have gone out of their way to make sure we get to the end result which is so lovely because sometimes I want to give up on the call and they won’t let me! We get there in the end have a bit of a giggle to how hard it was and I thank them for their patience. It’s very rewarding to see people really try to accommodate for my needs.

Oh, when I do DIY with my partner, it’s much easier now. He can be on the roof and I will be on the ground running around getting him things and I can hear him even when he is out of sight. Much easier!

We can turn the light of at night and chat, which is kind of romantic.

We can go on holiday and look at the stars light we did at Hamilton Island, and talk and talk with no need for a flash light. *sigh*

I have an email buddy who will have had her cochlear operation if all goes well on the 18th March two implanted simultaneously! Hopefully she is not to sore. Best of luck hon!


:)]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100227-090517 Zoe Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:05:17 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=02&entry=entry100227-090517 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100107-201737
Wow, I think that’s the first time I have ever had music influence my shopping habits.
]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100107-201737 Zoe Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:17:37 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=01&entry=entry100107-201737 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100101-204856
I did not have too much to drink, honest, but as I am typing this I have a headache. I have suddenly realised how much I do actually hear. Things actually sound too loud.

My head is pounding; as I rub the skin on my arms I can hear the rasping sounds under my hand. When I set down my coffee cup it clanks against the surface.

I can hear my hair whispering as I tuck it under my ear. I go to the sink and pour a glass of water, I can hear the rush of the water out the tap, then the drip as I turn it off and finally the glugging sound as it goes down the drain. Who would have thought a simple thing like turning on a tap could make so many different sounds!

As I type this I hear the keyboard clicking. I can hear the TV perfectly well in the next room. I can also hear my family from time to time commenting about the program.

It is raining outside; I can hear the rain hitting the sun roof. Outside Cicada’s are buzzing like mini chainsaws! Such a funny, amazing sound for such a small creature to make.

Soon the pain relief will kick in, but until then I won’t be turning off the processors. The sounds are too wonderful.

Happy New Year everyone!

X

]]> Rambling things http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100101-204856 Zoe Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:48:56 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=01&entry=entry100101-204856 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry091228-192921
We also walked through the wet bush and I could hear insets and birds calling and the occasional frog. As we walked over the bridge to get to the tree house I could hear the wire bridge and the wooden planks creaking.

Today I found I was not only hearing sounds but also I was able to identify them. (Sometimes I find I hear a lot but I don’t always know what I am hearing)

So sounds I identified were:
The dog drinking water
Wind chime from across the other end of the garden
Cicada's making a racket
Frogs and toads croaking
Insets buzzing
The cat meowing

I feel more connected to everyone these days, I hear whole sentences and if I chose to, I can be part of the conversation. Timing can be difficult as I am not always quick enough to have my say as I find I interrupt people / or I try and contribute but the conversation has moved on.

Another thing I have noticed this year is that I am hearing much better on the phone. I find I tend to hear the name of the person or I can identify them by the sound of their voice most of the time. I also have found that I am able to hear my partner James on the mobile in noisy places as long as he keeps his sentences short which is very handy.

It has only been a year since I had the second Cochlear Implant but I have noticed such a difference. I no longer have to hold myself sideways so that I catch sounds. I pretty much able to sit anywhere round a table (although old habits die hard and I prefer to have my back to the light so I can lip-read easily – I do find that I tend to lip-read more in noisy places and it is useful to do so.)

Soon Cochlear will be bringing out a new type of processor. It is thinner, shorter and uses two batteries, which can be re-charged. It appears to have abilities to have settings / programs which could be useful. I plan to give it a try when the test model comes out. I am thinking of buying it maybe in a year time to give Cochlear a chance to iron out any design flaws. It took them about three to six months to iron out the design flaws in the Freedom Processor i.e. cracked battery packs, rubber coming off the battery pack, split coils that needed regular replacing. I was fortunate as I was in the UK so they just kept replacing the entire processor. I understand that the damaged part would be replaced under warranty in Australia.

So all in all a very good year as a bilateral cochlear impantee.

All the very best to everyone for the New Year 2010!
]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry091228-192921 Zoe Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:29:21 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=12&entry=entry091228-192921 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry091208-175424
It got about 97% with noise and about 93% words, and 70 something with words with noise. This is about 2-5% better than three months ago as I got 100% then as well.

I told someone the other day that I had my 1st processor about 3 years ago, a quick check actually shows I had it 4.5 years ago! Time flys it just does not seem possible.

All up I am happy with two, I think I hear better and using the phone feels easier.

There is a new processor coming out so I will be back to tell you more about that soon

Happy christmas!
]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry091208-175424 Zoe Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:54:24 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=12&entry=entry091208-175424 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090518-195601
On the plus side, I have noticed that I can really hear the words of lyrics on my ipod now, were previously I was not able to follow the song.]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090518-195601 Zoe Mon, 18 May 2009 09:56:01 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=05&entry=entry090518-195601 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090318-195512 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090318-195512 Zoe Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:55:12 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=03&entry=entry090318-195512 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090218-195957
The song called "We are Australian" is also great to listen to.

I just need to get the following songs:

something stupid,
killing me softley
cant live if living is without you
I was only 18
everything I do, I do it for you
think twice]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090218-195957 Zoe Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:59:57 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=02&entry=entry090218-195957 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090114-221700 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090114-221700 Zoe Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:17:00 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=01&entry=entry090114-221700 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090114-220800
I do not have anything to plug it into yet! So we plugged it into my OH's ipod and I could hear the music and some of the lyrics really well. If I got stuck or lost I could pull up the written lyrics which is so cool!]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090114-220800 Zoe Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:08:00 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=01&entry=entry090114-220800 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090113-222240
On a brighter note I called another family and heard her perfectly. It always seems to be much easier when they are not walking around or in a noisy enviroment.

That said I occassionly call a landline and can hardly hear at all. I put it down to the quslity of the phone - it can be very hit and miss.

I had the setting changed on my left processor - it now has a program where I do not have to press two buttons to get the loop working (just one click) and this makes it much easier to change when I need the phone. I am going to ask for it to be changed again so there is only two programs normal (1) and loop (2) that way when I click it three times it will go back to program 1 and there will be no need fo me to press another button to get the Tloop off. Role on 3rd map (20th)

I have recivced a application from VicRoads that require me to fill in a form about my medical health. I am hoping that this will not be a 12 month thing because my health has not changed since last time. If its every 12 months then that is a real pain (discrimination discrimination!) In the UK I only had to do it once, I had to agree to keep up my medical appointments (once a year) and if I could not prove that I was doing this then I would be disqualified which I thought was fair as there was no way I would miss an appointment because it tells you that the pacemaker programe is still fine and the battery life is as it should be. Ah well.]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090113-222240 Zoe Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:22:40 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=01&entry=entry090113-222240 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090108-220941 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090108-220941 Zoe Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:09:41 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=01&entry=entry090108-220941 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090105-220247
Any way, I was waiting for it to be switched on and... nothing....and I waited and waited and waited. Then the audio tech realised that she neeeded to change a setting, but did not let me know this. So I started to worry that it was not working! Eventially it was already to go and it was switched on..... And the audio asked "how is it for you" and I HEARD EVERY WORD!!!!!! YAY.

Later that evening my OH and I tested it and we found that on its own with my eyes closed I could not pick out single words. However, with it turned on with the left one, I found it much easier.

Two weeks later we did the same test and I could hear every random word he said. We tried two words, then three then whole paragraphs and I was fine!

About two-three weeks in, I went for a coffee at work and found that I could not only keep up with the conversation I could also hear the accent fine too. The background noise was loud for me, but it did not over power the speech sounds which was so amazing.


]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090105-220247 Zoe Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:02:47 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=01&entry=entry090105-220247 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081223-111956 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081223-111956 Zoe Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:19:56 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081223-111956 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081221-165805 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081221-165805 Zoe Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:58:05 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081221-165805 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081211-184512
The top of my ear, the side of my face, and the inside of my ear is numb, but my tongue is fine.

I took the band aid off today as it was bugging the hell out of me, its all sticky and horrible. I was a bit surprised to see that the wound is held together by glue.

On comparing photos of the second implant and the first, it was clear that the bruising is less, the scar is smaller and closer to the side of my head. I did not really feel up to taking many photos but I will try and take some more every few days from now on.

Should be back at work by Tuesday 16th all being well.]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081211-184512 Zoe Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:45:12 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081211-184512 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081208-150110
There was not much of a wait, I arrived at the hospital at 7am, and by 8.30 am I was on my way to the opperation theatre. It was a really cold part of the hospital so they layered me up in blankets. Blood pressure cuff, drip put in, heart monitor tabs popped on and I was just thinking wooor my head ...... and I was asleep.

Next thing I knew was waking up apporx 2 hours later in a lot of pain and shivering from the reaction of the anestetic which is normal for me.

They fluffed around with the blankets as they thought I was cold and I was like give me something for the pain it hurts. They took their time drip feeding it to me slowly, and it really hurt - like a drill inside my head.

There was a bandage wrapped round my head which was much too tight, my ear was meant to be numb with local - but it hurt due to the bandage being to tight. The nurses were under strict instuctions that the bandage could not be touched!

Later on I was sick, as I had not eaten since 7pm the previous night there was nothing to bring up. However I did bring up some blood which I took to be where the tube may have upset the lining in my throat. My lip was puffy so it must have been from the tube.

They had me on a drip but it did not seem to be working, and after a while I asked for something to stop me from feeling sick and they gave me a jab which sent me of to sleep which was nice.

The nurses kept disturbing me every 3 hours to take my blood pressure, but I was not in to much pain.

The next day Professor Briggs came to see me at 8am and put to band aids across the wound and said I could go. No medication to take which was a bit different from the last time.

Now I am home and I have brushed out all the idoine out of my hair (massive clump at the back was impossible to get out) my neck, upper back and side of my head is sore. The wound looks small and dry and I have not disturbed the band aid as its not bothering me at all - but I can't see it staying there for over a week. We shall see. I am due to have a post operative appointment for Monday 15th December and I still need to find out when it gets switched on.


]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081208-150110 Zoe Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:01:10 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081208-150110 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081201-145935 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081201-145935 Zoe Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:59:35 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081201-145935 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081125-145714
There are to be some out of pocket fees, and the anaesthetist may be on of them. The rest of the fees will be covered by Medicare and my private health care insurance.

]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry081125-145714 Zoe Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:57:14 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081125-145714 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080924-035136
The total cost of the implant in Australia is $13,570 for the implant and $11, 500 for the processor. a total of $25,070.....

The bulk of the cost will be paid by my private health insurance and medicare.

The only thing I am confused about is the out of pocket expenses ofr the surgon, radiology some pharmacy costs and anaethestist.

Not all the CI surgeons charge a gap.Hopfully the gap fee will not be to much. Apparently I get to pick the surgon I want. I did say I wanted the one with the least amount of failures post op, plus any that have not had a accident and cut the face nerve would be an advantage.

At the end of October my insurance matures so the hospital will be in touch with them and then its a matter of waiting to see when the ball gets rolling.]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080924-035136 Zoe Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:51:36 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080924-035136 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080627-104817
By Thursday it was no better, in fact it was getting worst. I went back to the GP for stronger painkillers which were no help.

By Friday I was getting a bit worried that I could have a really bad infection on my implanted side and the last thing I want is for anything to impact on the implant, so I called the implant centre in Australia and they booked me in to see a consultant stright away. I could not belive how fast it was.

The consultant was very nice and checked my ears - only to tell me that she thought it was more likly the infection was caused by my wisdom teeth!

So it looks like I have a minor ear infection and a serious wisdom tooth infection. Which will explain why I was in so much pain.....

I think the medical care in Australia is truly amaining I really do. I got to see a dentist within a few hours and now I am waiting to see how much it is going to cost to have the wisdom tooth taken out. My private insurance has not matured yet so I am going to have to pay for it myself or find a public hospital to do it.
]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080627-104817 Zoe Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:48:17 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080627-104817 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080304-132421 name will be placed on the waiting list for a right cochlear implant in December this year.

Wow!

See below the results of the hearing tests. In some ways I am shocked that I got 56 % with just lipreading.

In many ways I am please because it shows I still have the skill to be able to lipread like this.

Only 10 more months till Christmas!

]]> http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080304-132421 Zoe Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:24:21 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080304-132421 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080228-041626
So why is this....

Could it be my brain is tired?

Some times even the sounds, well sound different.

Before I had the implant my ears never popped. These days only the hearing aid side pops - which is odd. I had to ask James how does one unpop their ears? As I have never done it before.]]> Rambling things http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080228-041626 Zoe Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:16:26 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=02&entry=entry080228-041626 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080227-234451
With the processor on the left

Sentences test with implant - not to bad (accent and language difference taken into account here) I did quite well 91%

NOTE: binaural tests showed I got 96% this could mean I was having a good day or the hearing aid gave me that extra 4% which proves my point that I am using the hearing aid side too.

Random words - I did ok - 56%

Sentences with background noise - this was harder but I think I got the odd sentence right and a few words 67%

With the hearing aid on the right

First up was sentences with hearing aid - I got the odd word - 2%

random words I am guessing I got the odd word or sound - 2%

background noise - nothing at all - 0%

Lipreading tests

Here is the best bit of all the tests. Lipreading tests I did quite well and got full sentences in some cases - 56%

Looks as though its looking promising that I may be put forward for a second implant when my private care policy matures in November. A possible December operation could be on the cards.

I am trying not to raise my hopes to much as things never go to plan when you want them to, but at least I seem to be going in the right direction.

If I am granted a second processor I am going to start again much the same way as the first implant. I am going to just wear the new processor and keep the first processor off.

The reason for this is because I left my hearing aid off the first time round. Yep it was hard. However the brain needs to be trained, and it worked harder and faster in this way.

I want the second implant to be as good as my left side. There is no point in doing all this unless I can get it to work 100% on both sides.

Can you tell I have been thinking about this a lot!?]]> Assessment http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080227-234451 Zoe Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:44:51 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=02&entry=entry080227-234451 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080226-040009
Another thing was photos of the operation. I never thought of this prior to the first operation.

However, if I can go ahead with the second implant I will ask the surgon if he would take photos, as that would be so cool.

Maybe I could even get one of them to film it? Thats probably going a bit far....I will ask though. Motto: don't ask - don't get

]]> First implant http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080226-040009 Zoe Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:00:09 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=02&entry=entry080226-040009 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080123-034227
First was standard hearing tests in both ears with no hearing aid or processor.

Result - No useful hearing

Test with both processor and hearing aid

Sentences was 96% which is the same as what I got in the UK tests

Sentences with background noise 60%

Words 60 %

and CVC Phonemes 77%

at first I was disapointed that there was no improvement as I had in the past got 100% but only once.

Then I reminded myself that the questions and accent in this test was different ie one of the sayings was " kandaroos jumped across the lawn"

Well there are no kandaroos in the UK and I dont use the word lawn, although I heard that one perfectly there were others were I just could not pick out the words possibly because they were different and words I do not use.

We tried the speech test with my hearing aid side and I got random words and sounds but nothing useful.

I pointed out that prior to the implant I could not even do this with my hearing aid side - so to me this is a improvement.

I feel I get some use out of my hearing side - it aids the implant in respect that I become aware of a sound thats not on my implant side. But it does not give me speech recognition, which is the key.

Liz felt that the hearing tests showed it was a sensory loss and the balance test is just that - inconclusive.

The consultant Professor Stephen O'Leary, who is the ENT Surgeon was stright forward. He asked for hearing history and had a look in my ears. He felt postive that I would benefit from a second implant - and would see me after the cat scan.

The CAT scan was done on the 8.02.08 and I was in and out in 10 mins!
]]> Assessment http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry080123-034227 Zoe Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:42:27 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=01&entry=entry080123-034227 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry071215-033939 Balance tests

First up was checking the air in both ears - result nomal

Next up was sitting in a chair in the dark being turned slowly round while counting backwards - result normal

Next up was having hot and cold air blown down my ear while my eyes were closed and speaking at the same time but remembering not to open my eyes - normal (although I felt any thing but)

Next up was a strange test that measured something in the hearing nerve and required my skin being sandpapered and sticky pad wires being stuck down on various points of my body. - result inconclusive

The tech stated that the result read conductive loss rather than sensory loss, and this could mean that the results for today on this test were inconclusive because we know I have a sensory loss.

I was a bit worried about this. However, my partner pointed out that the doctors in the UK had found both ears to be suitable for implantation and that they gave me the choice of either ear to implant. So its not something I should be worrying about to much.

]]> Assessment http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry071215-033939 Zoe Sat, 15 Dec 2007 03:39:39 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=12&entry=entry071215-033939 http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry071015-030644
http://www.tomlinuk.com/ci/ci.html


and I have kept a blog about it here http://www.tomlinuk.com/ciblog/

I had previously started looking at the options for a second implant and then we decided to Australia around August 2008.

Since it was Australia that the first implant was born I decided that it would be a good oppertunity to explore what my options for a second implant was now I am living here.

First thing first was a visit to the GP to register and ask for a referal to the Ear and Eye Hospital just to get my records there for maps and bits n bobs.

To my amaze it took less than three weeks to get an appointment to see the implant clinic.

While there I asked if I could be refered for a second implant. There were a few hiccups with this. I am on a spouse visa - that means that it will be reviewed in 12 months. I have a interim medicare card which will be renewed pending on the decision of the immigration office in October 2008. There was some confusion between the hospital and the medicare office to if I could get access to all services or only emgerency services. I was told I could get access to all services and the hospital was told only basic services ie maps, repairs and parts. I chased this up with Medicare and eventually after several emails the hospital was assured that I could get access to the full service under my card! *phew*

One big difference between the UK NHS and Australia Medicare is that Medicare does not pay for batteries *eek* they are $55 dollars for 10 packs which last between four and five weeks. They do not provide any hearing aid service for people over 18 and under 65. So as far as hearing aids, moulds, and support with this - I am on my own and the only service is private - and expensive I am sure.

So rather than spend heaps and heaps on hearing aid service which will be very little use to me in the short term I decided to start the assessment for a second processor now.

The quickest way to get a second processor is to have private health insurance. There is an oppertunity for a implant on medicare - but the waiting list is very long. Everyone is encouraged to have private health insurance - its not as expensive as the UK and everyone has access to it no matter what their health is - unlike the UK where I could not get private insurance for love or money due to my heart condition.

The only hitch is I have to wait for my private insurance to mature (12 months)

Maybe its because I already have one implant, or maybe its because Australia have one of the best medical services I have ever experienced but all up its taken less than seven months to get this far. It took almost a year to get from the assessment to the operation in the UK if you do not count the fact that the first referal got lost in the system!

Strange huh?!

]]> Assessment http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry071015-030644 Zoe Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:06:44 GMT http://www.tomlinuk.com/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=10&entry=entry071015-030644