OperaJoyce

- Blog Posts

4th mapping; rechargeable batteries.

July 19, 2010
posted by  OperaJoyce


Hi, everyone, I am back from Nashville and Birmingham and am recuperating from another wonderful weekend at the lake with family and friends celebrating Bill's birthday. Today is his official birthday, so we are extending the weekend with lunch at a new restaurant which sounds great. Son and daughter-in-law are going to try to join us. This birthday thing could become addictive!

 

My 4th mapping in Nashville was not as successful as the others. I can hear birds, crickets, frogs, etc just great. Can understand speech pretty well with 2 or 3 people, but with more that that, I am having a hard time understanding. I have that Underwater sound that others have mentioned. I mentioned it to my Audi, but she could not explain it. It seems to be worse in my right ear. So I guess it is back to Nashville in about 2 weeks. Sort of getting tired of that 4/5 hour one way trip, but Bill doesn't seem to mind it. I ordered a KIndle yesterday to have light weight reading material to pass the time. My daughter loves hers and carries it everywhere with her. I am so use to books that it may take time for the adjustment. But I will love having light weight reading material plus a good supply of books everywhere I go.

 

Rechargeable batteries: has anyone had success getting the compact ones? Because of my size the regular rechargeable ones feel heavy, as do the non-rechargeable ones. When I called Cochlear it was like I was hearing "duh". She finally said that coupons will be sent out that will allow us to purchase the compact at a reduced price. Have had no other word. Does anyone know more? 

 

Off to lunch (may need to buy a new weight scale if I keep this good eating up!" 

 

Hugs to all of you. Joyce 

Bookmark and Share

Comments

 
Iola

July 19, 2010

Happy Birthday to Bill! Enjoy that lunch. I have not received my rechargeables yet and this is the first time I have read someone say that they are "heavy". I didn't even know that compact batteries are available. I also have the Kindle and absolutely love it. Joyce, I am sorry that this last map didn't go so well for you. That is a very long drive to Nashville! I hope the underwater sounds leave some time soon. I do believe that the audiologist's are unable to figure out everything that is going on with our hearing. We just have to keep on. You are Number One in that department. Best to you, Iola
 
JBWestlake

July 19, 2010

Almost 7 months since activation and my right side still sounds as if I am underwater. My audi and I have mapped and mapped to no avail. That ear has been "dead" much longer than my left so that's the only conclusion we can make. However, on a recent visit with my audi she tested me on vowel and consonant recognition. After the test I asked how much better I scored on the left side since my right sounds so "muffled". She grinned sheepishly and said, "well, to be honest, you actually scored higher on the right side". Go figure, but at least that gives me hope on that side. Happy Birthday to Bill as well!
 
OperaJoyce

July 19, 2010

Iola, the recharageable ones are about the same weight as the battery ones. They all hurt my ears. I have bought new glasses with very light weight frames to help reliever the trafffic behind my ears. JB, interesting that your "dead"ear is the one with the underwater sound; in my case the underwater sound is the one that still had some hearing left before I received my CI. So figure that out! This whole "journey" is interesting!!! A challenge, yes, but such a blessing. If you need a life line, I live on a lake and keep extra life preservers. BLub, blub, blub. Joyce
 
Iola

July 19, 2010

I'll take one of those extra life preservers, if you don't mind!!
 
OperaJoyce

July 19, 2010

Iola, it is on the way by UE (Underwater Express). Joyce
 
gatorfan

July 19, 2010

Joyce, Sounds like you are still dedicated to using the three "Ps" on your great bilateral hearing journey. Your positive attitude and faith will get you to your hearing goals. I still sometimes wish I was further alone on my journey but then I remind myself where I was only alittle over three months ago and realize how "blessed" I am today with the wonderful improvement I have had in that time.As we all have learned this journey is one of peaks and valleys but the peaks make the valleys worth traveling through. Have a fantastic lunch and wish Bill a Happy Birthday for all of us. Wayne
 
BobbieNavone

July 19, 2010

I have not received my N5 rechargeable batteries yet either. Okay, everybody with the N5 processor, how about the microphone protectors? According to the manual, they are supposed to be changed once a month. That means I should have changed mine 5 times. I understand from Linda Day that they will be sent out to recipients of the N5. They are supposedly on back order. Does this make sense that they would not have a good supply to go with all the processors if it is important that they be changed once a month? And I wonder how many we will receive? I wonder how much they will cost when we need more and if insurance will pay?
 
Iola

July 19, 2010

Speaking of "hills and valleys", I am currently crocheting a ripple afghan. That is hills and valleys. Each has it's own color - one more exciting than the next. That's a good way to think of our hearing journey. The valleys don't last forever. Before we know it, a hill pops up. Then we begin climbing and when we get to the top, we are flying high with bright colors all about us. Have a great day, Joyce and Bill!
 
EllenBR

July 19, 2010

Joyce that's a long commute to see the audi. Sure hope you can get a better map the next visit. AggieSonya had to hang in for a few weeks, then Bingo! She got it. Keep your sense of humor - love it! Ellen
 
1ear4lungs

July 19, 2010

I receieved rechargeables with my N5 on surgery day, July 6--2 bigs, one little; the little one had tarnish/leakage around the center terminal and wouldn't take a charge. I emailed Cochlear; no answer yet. My original Nucleus was too heavy for me for all-day wear; it had 3 675 batteries. I used the bodyworn, which used AAA batteries on a wired case mostly used by kids. The N5 similarly has Litewear, marketed to kids, too--with a wire going to the battery pack (just the 2-675's) clipped to your clothes or placed in a pocket, only the processor behind your ear. Yeah, the underwater sounds--my first Nucleus initial stim sounded like R2D2, underwater, wearing sleigh bells! Hang in there, our brains are much smarter than we are.--Gary
 
Scott R. - Awareness Network Manager

July 19, 2010

I've found that anytime I've switched to different hearing aids or cohclear implant processor...there always seems to be an adjustment period that I go through before it starts to feel comfortable on my ear. Kind of like getting new shoes my ear needed to get used to the change in weight or where it sat. After a few weeks of wearing my N5 I don't get any of the uncomfortableness anymore. It is pretty cool that there are even smaller batteries available. They should be available for purchase on cochlear's online store...just put the promotion code SMALLEST when ordering and it should give you the discount price.
 
Iola

July 19, 2010

Has anyone gone to the Store and looked to see what these batteries cost??!!! I wonder what that "discount" is worth?
 
Cliffany

July 19, 2010

On the microphone covers my Audi said to change them once a year not once a month. Unless you can see damage or something that shows it is time I am not planning on changing mine. As for the weight difference between the regular batteries and the rechargeable is a small one holding them in my hands I could see a small difference. When I first get them my ear is very sore for several days. I wear it as much as I can and rub lotion with a rougher washrag on the back of my ear to help toughen the skin up. I did wear BTE's for 26 years so my ears are some what tough already. The compact rechargeables are normally $210 so with the discount the price is $99. I am thinking about going for it and wearing them in situations where the weight will pull them off my ear more (6 Flags and things of that nature).
 
BenR

July 19, 2010

I am getting just over one day's use out of a standard rechargeable battery as opposed to the two days stated in the Cochlear brochure. Since the compact is rated as lasting 18 hours, I expect that it would probably be a bit less for me. Because of that, I don't see any need for it other than from a cosmetic angle. After wearing BTE'S for 30 years, I guess my ears are "broken in" to having the units resting on them.
 
barbw

July 19, 2010

This is for Cliffany above~ I was told the microrphone covers should be changed at least every two months on the Nucleus Freedom and I would think it would be the same on the N5. Any comments on this? Barb
 
OperaJoyce

July 20, 2010

My audi did not seem to think that changing the microphone covers is very important. I did not have any in my box of Cochlear treasures. Any info from you will be appreciated. Joyce
 
Scott R. - Awareness Network Manager

July 20, 2010

I change my microphone protectors when I notice a change in sound quality. Dirty microphone protectors and make it difficult for sound to come cleanly into the microphones causing the sound quality to decrease. Doing this first has saved me several trips to the audiologist for remapping. If changing the microphone protecters doesn't help, then I know it's time to schedule an appointment. Hope this helps!
Previous   |   Next