- Location: Chicago
- Who Has Hearing Loss: I do
- Hearing Loss Type: Progressive Loss
- Hearing Loss Cause: Unknown
- Device: cochlear
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Block This MemberMeribeth
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My Story
November 23, 2010 I finally got a cochlear implant on my left ear.. I still continue to wear a Phonak Hearing on my left. It has been a great year getting to know my CI. It is my strongest ear. I can truly tell a difference between my CI ear and my hearing aid ear. On my CI ear I learned to use the phone and I can hear even if I do not have my hearing aid on. My hearing aid is not as strong to stand alone. But what when I wear the two together it gives me clarity.
I started wearing hearing aids 15 years ago. I never thought about a Cochlear implant until two years ago.
Since I got my CI I can hear my three year old daughter talk, have conversations with my husband and my son,family, coworkers, etc, watch TV without closed caption and go to the movies. I work for Head Start and this year I transferred to another school within our program. It was a very brave thing to do. But the CI gave me confidence. In a few years like to do the right ear.
April 3, 2012 I had another CI on my right ear. My hearing decreased to 24%. Today May 3, 2012 I was activated...Ready to start my right ear Journey with my CI..
Blog Entries
when or what caused your hearing lose
Some of us lost our hearing because born that way. Some lost it because health issues..Some lost maybe cause of work and noise..I lost it cause..no one...
One Month Ago
Great Cochlear meeting
I really enjoyed meeting Wayne Pringle and other cochlear friends at Saturdays meeting. We all shared our stories. It is amazing to hear how much...
One Month Ago
Cochlear meeting in Illinois
Going to go to a Cochlear meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois. It is about an hour half ride with good traffic. Going to meet Wayne Pringle. Anxious to see what...
One Month Ago
Who wears an ID bracelet
I was reading a message on Cochleartowne Facebook about diferent medical bracets. How do you know which one to pick and are they durable. I have been...
2 Months Ago
This is why I prmote Cochlear
Loooking back as a child in school i now can undrestand why I struggled. I had to work twice as hard as the other kids. I went to a small grade school...
2 Months Ago
tomorrow I will be in Morton Grove
I am getting anxious for the panel i will be doing tomorrow. April third is my anniversary of my second CI. It has been great to have two cochlear...
2 Months Ago
going to be on another panel of new cochlear implant
i just got an email from a support group i started going to. they asked me to speak on a panel..i did it before.. i like sharing my story about how...
3 Months Ago
juat blogging thing
Who has a cochlear implant and lives in Illinois? ...
3 Months Ago
Cochlear tests
I went to my yearly test for my CI. I got 99% hearing with both ears on. My new right CI is at 87% with out the other ear. My Audi gave me...
5 Months Ago
Catching up with CI friends
Well I haven't been on the Community for awhile. Computer acting weird, to many to do's..Today I made time to read a few blogs and post a...
5 Months Ago
A few more pictures
Meribeth and Emily..it is the rightside that is missing in back..but can blend it with layers and cover short part that is growing out
7 Months Ago
More MB pictures of 4 months of hair growing out
More hair pictures. If I wear it messy and layered I can hide the lack of hair.
7 Months Ago
Must be tired..Brain overload...How do get pictures on the media ...I did it before..Took a minute figured it got. That is my hair if I brush it away.
Selective deafness
I never thought of this b4. My aunt was trying to talk to me last week. I was extremeley tired and heard her but said, what did you say?...
7 Months Ago
Referred my Aunt to hearing aids
My aunt is visiting from Seattle to help my mom with her recent shoulder surgery. She has been saying that she does not hear well. I was hoping...
7 Months Ago
wow
Took way to long to change picture..At our yearly Jimmy Buffet concert in august
7 Months Ago
My incision
As most of you know I had a really long incision. The other day it kinda hurt. I had my son look. I just wonder why it is taking so much...
8 Months Ago
My Wedding Aniversary Today
It has been a busy 13 years. I was married Sept. 11, 1999. That year I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, My father in law died in...
8 Months Ago
MB at Jimmy Buffet Concert.
I was very social this time at concert. I met all kinds of people before the concert. I think i did because I could follow the...
9 Months Ago
Back to school....
Went back to school today...Ready for a room full of 3-5 year olds...We had an orienation with the parents. The room was filled with parents in the...
9 Months Ago
Cochlear Community
I am so glad to finally get on this site. It has been running to slow. Now I have to go and It seems like it works normal.. I hope when I come...
9 Months Ago
Went to my husbands class reunion..I did pretty good hearing. I notice lots of people not being able to hear cuz the music. Some people said ,...
Sound of Silence Book group.
Phyliss bought a book called Sound of Silence. She asked me if I wanted to read it..So She mailed it to me. I told her we should send around to...
10 Months Ago
Attened first Cochleat meeting
It was great to meet other CI. I was on a panel and it was fun sharing my story and answering questions. I hope to go to more meetings...I also...
10 Months Ago
I have never stood up in front of anyone before. I am the girl that hopes she doesn't get called on in class. Oh!! and meeting for...
Confused again with insurance..I decided to take the time to call United Healthcare to ask about replacing rechargable batteries. So far they are...
Finding good friends on the cochlear site
This is the best place to find really good friends. I enjoy reading everyones latest blog or commenting to the resent postings. Today was a...
10 Months Ago
CI moment with dentst
For the first time I actually heard what the dental hygienist was saying while she cleaned my teeth. Then dentist came in and asked about my...
One Year Ago
My first real Cochlear awareness
I was looking for the Cochlear illinois chapter meetings. As I was reading about the meetings I saw one with a topic of New Cochlear Implant users. I...
One Year Ago
I read an article in our local newspaper about the Speech and Hearing Awareness is for the month of May. It talked bout how hearing aids help people or...
I am so dependent on my first CI. I know I am subposed to practice using my new right CI alone. But by the end of the day. I think...
Just a few comments
My friend Virgie is hearing at 65% with CI from 24% with hearing aid. So she is on her way.Switch to my new spare CI. The normal one just...
One Year Ago
I just emailed my local paper. My town does not have any type of support group for people that can't hear. They list every other type of...
Second mapping....hearing is improving
Thursday I had my second mapping. You can really tell a difference from the first activation. When My kids at work or my own talk they sound...
One Year Ago
One week of Activation
Tomorrow is one week for my activation. I can hear with my CI alone. It isn't as clear as the first CI. I try to watch TV with only my...
One Year Ago
I am Activated on May 3.
Today is the day..my audi turned me on. For once the mappings went quick..I didn't feel info overload like the first time. with both CI on...
One Year Ago
It has been a month
My husband dropped of my daughter to me at work. We were outside. He really looked at my head. He said, you still have a stitch...
One Year Ago
I have a Phonak Naida Hearing aid. To me it was an expensive hearing aid. It was also one of the best hearing aid I had. But my hearing...
My son Nick does not understand
My son 7 th grade Nick is very bright in school. He does his homework and does good in school. Until this last year. He seems to think...
One Year Ago
my voice
Now that I'm officially can't hear anything without my left CI. When I talk without my hearing devices on I can hear myself. It is...
One Year Ago
I went and helped my neighbor
I went to help my friend Virgie with her first day of activation. She called me at home trying to figure out her new CI. I know it is an...
One Year Ago
Just did you have stapes, stitches etc
My Doctor firmly believes that the head needs to be shaved and uses staples. He also gave me a prescription cream to apply along the cut with the...
One Year Ago
Wow..It has been a slow recovery.
April 3 was my date for my second surgery. I thought since I did this before and knew what was going to happen it would be easier. Well it...
One Year Ago
SECOND CI AT ONE IN AFTERNOON IN HINSDALE, ILLINOIS
Tomorrow is the day for the second CI. I am nervous about surgery and how i will feel afterward. I remember feeling light headed, dizzy...
One Year Ago
My neighbor is doing great after surgery.
I talk to my neighbor. She had surgery two weeks ago. She is healing great. She get activated in two more weeks. I am anxious to see...
One Year Ago
advanced setting
How do u get programed for the advanced setting on you CI device. Like when I answer the phone and it automatically click to that setting without...
One Year Ago
April 3 is around the corner
My second CI will be here soon. I' am nervous and anxious for the surgery. I would like to skip the recovery and go to the...
One Year Ago
Strange message
That spam person emailed me again. I deleted it it. Her email title said"about me". I didn't open it. I...
One Year Ago
I finally told the principle at my school about my CI. His daughter is in Show choir with my son. We were watching a performance and he commented...
MB April 3 at 1:00 in Hinsdale, Illinois
April 3 will be here soon. So many things to get organized around the house, work, etc. I only had to do bloodwork for this next CI. My Moms...
One Year Ago
CI moment and appointment for surgery--
First part: Today Feb. 21 ,2012 I saw Dr. Richard Wiet at The Ear Institute of Chicago and he is going to do CI surgery on April 3, 2012. He was...
One Year Ago
Finally approved
I finally got approved. I talked with A United Healthcare Supervisor and finally got the approval. I still have to pay $1000 of out of...
One Year Ago
Illinois and CI's
Does anyone know if the wonderful state of Illinois requires cochlear implants to be covered oninsurance??
One Year Ago
Meribeth has been denied
My audi called and said even thouhg they told me it was covered, they were wrong it is not a covered benifit. She was also working with oms a...
One Year Ago
United Healthcare
Has anyone had a cochlear implant using their United Healthcare. What did they cover? How did they bill it? Were their limitations? They do...
One Year Ago
I live in wonderful Illinois. We just recently have been getting SNOW. I was hoping it would not come and we could just move along to Spring and...
Just tired of figuring out insurance
I think I will be covered for surgery at 100%. Insurance will pay 80% toward the coclear decice warn on head. It is under the prosthetic decice...
One Year Ago
Just one more quick question
Since I just found out outpatient surgery is covered 100% But the Nucleus 5 systen warn on Head with magnet on head is covered at 80%. How much is the...
One Year Ago
Still make United Heslth care dig around
Tonight I was on the phone with insurance for 2 hours and transfered four time. They kept wanting to put the actual device that we wear under durable...
One Year Ago
Hopefully i heard right
I used my CI ear to call the insurance company. I hope I heard him right. If so it will be covered by 100%. I asked him atleast 5...
One Year Ago
Now I am really sad
I just found out that my insurance will not pay for a second CI. They are treating it like a prosthetic of $2500 limit and not covering surgery. ...
One Year Ago
my neighbor
My mom neighbor finally went to the Ear Institute of Chicago and saw the Doctor and Audi. She qualifies. She has been wearing hearing since she...
One Year Ago
Using the phone
I keep reading all these blogs about using the telephone/cell phone. I do not have any of these devices. It sounds complicated. I just turn...
One Year Ago
When did u know you need a second CI and questions
Did you know when you first went in but u decided to do one? Did you adjust well with the first CI with no hearing aid? Did u adjust well and...
One Year Ago
I went to my latest CI appt. I did all the fun testing and got a 99% in my left CI ear. While doing the hearing test she tested my right...
It took me one year to figure it out.
Yesterday I looked at my sons MP3 player and thought can I hear that in my Cochllear ear. I never thought to try before. So I put it in my...
One Year Ago
One year last tuesday
One year Last Tuesday mark my one anniversary of my CI. I am seriously considering doing the other ear. I go see the aud on Dec, 19 for a...
One Year Ago
CI question
If I get another CI how do i do the MRI. Do I have to have the magnet removed before i start the process again. Just wondering how the second CI...
One Year Ago
at a Core knowledge meeting for Head start
Head start has been training us about a curriculum called Core Knowledge.We did a training on phonetics and teaching children about letter sounds. The...
One Year Ago
I reached two pople about undersatanding CI.
My moms neighbor has been deaf since she was a child. Tomorrow she is going to a Nucleus 5 conference. She is considering getting a CI. She is...
One Year Ago
Question about going to the dentist.
My daughter tooth has turned discolored. I do not remember her hitting her mouth hard. She is not dramatic when she falls. Well I made...
One Year Ago
Hello
Back to school and doing a million things after school. It was a busy end of the summer. My husband had surgery out of the blue. He had a...
One Year Ago
Hearing aid
I have sent my hearing aid to be fixed three time for bateries life. It only last three days. I just got it back and the life is still at three...
One Year Ago
crackily sound--static
Sometimes my Ci sounds crackily-static. When I turn my head. I changed the microphone things a week ago???
One Year Ago
I met a lady with the Baha
I met a lady at the Ear Institute in Chicago who lost her Baha. I did not know realize how those work until she showed me. The lady was cleaning...
One Year Ago
Bilateral
I have been reading about how so many people go bilateral. How do you know so early after your first surgery. My next appt isn't until...
One Year Ago
I go back in six months
In six months I will go back to the audi. What will change in six months? Will I notice changes? How will my hearing improve?
One Year Ago
Busy summer
The summer is just flying by. Last year at this time i was just starting this cochlear journey. It is amazing how fast it went. i am so...
One Year Ago
Swimming with CI
Can you swim with the CI? I take it off.
One Year Ago
Taking Emily to swim lessons.
Emily has been going to swim lessons since she was five months old.. They start today. I love to take her. The water is freezing. I...
One Year Ago
Hear so many different things
I hear so many trains in our town. I even caught my son coach talking to a player. A mom said, What did he say to that kid. ( she did...
One Year Ago
Summer time!!!out of school until august
It has been a year since I started researching the cochlear implant. I started at the local audiologist and found out i had 70% hearing...
One Year Ago
New hearing aid back
Okay it wasn't so bad. My old hearing aid is just not right. It is set to loud. I missed lots of conversations. I can really tell...
One Year Ago
why did my brand new hearing aid die.
Do not understand. For years I wore the wrong hearing aid. I finally start to wear the bells and whistle hearing aid and the whole...
2 Years Ago
Hannah blog
I just read her blog I am happy that her CI is starting to come through..
2 Years Ago
baseball season
Off to baseball. My sons game is at eight o'clock tonight. He had a game last night too at eight o'clock. They won. I dressed with...
2 Years Ago
The tv is too loud
One more thing before i go to sleep.Lately when I'am at home, My moms, friends house, My mother-in-laws. The tv is so loud. I...
2 Years Ago
My work History
I worked as a the main teacher for Head Start for two years. My last eight years i have been the teacher assistant. When i started with...
2 Years Ago
I'm doing something brave. I asked my boss to transfer to the Manteno Head Start in the Fall. I have been with Head Start for ten...
Always something to do
I finally got my check for my Hearing aid from the insurance company. It was a ton of work and energy to keep fighting for it... But since...
2 Years Ago
forth month appt.
Hi I scored a 97% with my hearing test. With just the CI it was 97% and with Ha and Cochlear it was 97%. I had to listen to the routine...
2 Years Ago
forth month appt.
Hi I scored a 97% with my hearing test. With just the CI it was 97% and with Ha and Cochlear it was 97%. I had to listen to the routine...
2 Years Ago
forth month appt.
Hi I scored a 97% with my hearing test. With just the CI it was 97% and with Ha and Cochlear it was 97%. I had to listen to the routine...
2 Years Ago
My moms neighbor
My mom neighbor has been had earing problems since she was born. She has been wearing hearing aids since she was a child. I talked to...
2 Years Ago
Guess what?
I finally got United healthcare to pay me $2500.00 for my hearing aid. It was a struggle to hear on the phone and to listen to them. I...
2 Years Ago
a few questions
How soon is to tell if you should do the other ear with CI? A friend of mine who had a CI done a year ago still hears things...
2 Years Ago
First time to movies with CI
I went to see a movie. Diary of a Whimpy Kid. I heard everything. It was a really fuuny movie. It is the first movie that i have...
2 Years Ago
Enjoying my cochlear.
I have been enjoying listening to new things. Somethings i knew the sound but just hadn't heard it for awhile. Birds..I...
2 Years Ago
Winter is still Here
My daughters birthday is tomorrow. She will be three. The year she was born there was a bad snow storm. Three years later we are...
2 Years Ago
Hi cochlear friends
HiThanks for the update of what to do with music.Maybe i will try my sons mP3 player Still working on insurance. I sent them a letter explaining...
2 Years Ago
not a good week
My Hearing reibursement is a never ending battle. They keep requesting codes. i gave them the codes. then they send letter to The Ear...
2 Years Ago
listening to a cd player
What do you use to listen to cd's. How do you the audio cable if the Cd player can't be plugged in. Do they still make portable cd...
2 Years Ago
number five
Well i made it to my fifth appt. She showed me how to use the phone and all the other acessories. I do not have an ipod and do not know how to...
2 Years Ago
Jan11
I think everytime I go on this support group I am going to find a new person to help or read about there journey to hearing. One thing is for sure...
2 Years Ago
fourth appt
I had my fourth appt today with the audi. She did not change the settings. I had a hearing test. She said i did better without the...
2 Years Ago
3 mapping
number three is tomorrow...I have been doing the Sound and way beyond.. not good at male and female voices..
2 Years Ago
I did the second mapping. The program seems a little loud. I am using my remote a little. Just to change it to a quiter setting. ...
second mapping
I have my second mapping tomorrow. I cant figure out the remote yeet. So much to learn. i do hear but it seems from a distantance.
2 Years Ago
a few more days left until A day
This week i had a lot more energy. But tired at night. I noticed the implant side seems senstive in the cold weather. My ear still has a...
2 Years Ago
Hearing aid and insurance
I sent all the paper work to both my insurance companies. Then I had to resend it because they did not recieve it. Now it is denied. ...
2 Years Ago
two weeks post surgery
It is two weeks since surgery. I have been back to work since last monday. Last week I was really tired by the afternoon. This week I...
2 Years Ago
Staples out
I have all the staples out. The Dr. said it is healing good and faster than he thought. He said I could move up aDay but there were no...
2 Years Ago
Doctor appt on tuesday
I go back to Doctor Weit to get my staples removed. My head feels tight. I haven't taken as many pain killers today. i'm...
2 Years Ago
Surgery
I made it through the Sugery. My left side feels a little strange. The pain killers are putting me to sleep. I think he took too much...
2 Years Ago
Doctor trying to find out why I lost my hearing
I never really thought about why I didn't hear. My hearing specialist just said it must run in the family or was I sick as a child. My...
3 Years Ago
One week to go
The house is clean, the dog got a hair cut,took the kids to the doctor, paid the car insurance etc. Just too many things to get done incase I'm out...
3 Years Ago
Almost there
I sent everyone messages. Thanks for all the kind advice. I think I'll be a nervous wreck going into surgery. I will be thinking how i...
3 Years Ago
Insurance
Just reading some claims for my insurance. I already have my bloodwork done and CT and MRi done. I have my primary insurance Aetna and my...
3 Years Ago
Cochlear and hearing aid
Okay. The Cochlear hearing devleopment works best while using a Hearing aid? I need to wear might right Hearing aid or i will not hear...
3 Years Ago
CI scheduled for November 23,2010
Hi Everyone,I officially have an appointment on November 23,2010 at 1:oo at the hospital in Hinsdale, Il. I have already done the blood work and...
3 Years Ago
I told my boss
I told my boss and she was totally fine with it. She seemed really interested in how the whole process works. We have some 3-5 year old that...
3 Years Ago
Not a good hearing day
At work today we had a training with our whole head start program. It was in a huge a auditorium. I sat in the middle and felt comfortable...
3 Years Ago
I picked out the Nucleus 5 today
I picked up a new right hearing aid today and picked out the nucleus 5 cochlear. The hearing aid is the most expensive one that i have bought. It...
3 Years Ago
Very confusing using insurance for hearing aids
I read through my United Healthcare insurance and they will pay up to $2500 for hearing aids. I was so excited until I called The Hearing Institute in...
3 Years Ago
I told my Aunt Jean
I mentioned to my Aunt Jean who i do not see very offten that I'm going to get a cochlear implant. She said that is great! I guess I no...
3 Years Ago
First week of back to school
First week of school. It is really noisy in the classroom. Will the cochlear balance out the noise level. Preschool children have alot to...
3 Years Ago
Just reading
I'm just reading and finding out their are other people out there like me. The questions and concerns are very helpful to read in the blogs. ...
3 Years Ago
Raining finally
Ir is hot and raining. It is going to be a wet day. i will need my umbrella and rain coat. I have buss duty today.
3 Years Ago
First day School
First day of School. My three year olds are funny. The lunch room is noisy and the phone is had to hear in the classroom. I also find...
3 Years Ago
Reading about other CI Stories.
It has been very helpful to read about you CI implant stories. Sometimes I think I'm the only one who is having trouble hearing( i wear 2...
3 Years Ago
CI canidate
Coclear implant canidate. I just received a letter from my insurance company verifying that they will cover the implant. What happens next?
3 Years Ago
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