Q: Are there any types of sounds you still cannot hear?
A: "There are still things I cannot hear. I think the only way I can tell is if a hearing person says something about what they're hearing that I'm not. That happens rarely, but it does still happen. I know that if there is a lot of hustle and bustle going on around me, I can keep up, but not as fast as the hearing people do. I'll miss a step here or there. I think that's because when I am on the move and the wind is blowing, or some other sounds are going on, I often pick up several sounds at once. The loudest sound is going to radiate further than the smallest. You can't block that out."
Q: How often do you go for mapping sessions now?
A: "About once every six months to a year."
Q: How much of a financial burden (batteries, etc.) is the implant today?
A: "I've had to have batteries replaced since I was first activated. I've probably placed a total of four orders with Advanced Bionics, the manufacturer, so far in batteries. My insurance (thankfully) has covered about 80% of the total so far. However, I am responsible for the rest. The Advanced Bionics Auria batteries are not cheap. Anywhere from $150 to 200 per battery (2007 rates). I'm using about two rechargeable batteries a day. I keep at least two on my charger every night and one by my bedside, or on my ear, at night.
These batteries are supposed to last you about one year. They are rechargeable. You will notice that as time goes by, a battery will not last as many hours as it did when you first bought it. So after almost a year, you get a lot less juice from your battery than you did when it was brand new.
You also have to allow for "accidents," and those "accidents" do happen. For example, one of the batteries dropped out of my hand, fell on the floor, and literally broke in two. This happened when I was trying to attach the battery to the CI. When it fell on the floor, the external covering of the battery came apart and there was no way I could snap it back together.
There have also been loss incidents where I have had to get them replaced. Sometimes you forget where you put them only to find them later in lesser condition.
My feeling is that a cochlear implant could never be considered a "cosmetic" device. They are necessary. Once you get one, that's it. There's no turning back. I feel all batteries should be covered 100% by health insurance. And insurance could have a cap by replacing batteries every 6 months to 1 year. No doubt they are a medical necessity. And they do cost money.
Other than that, all parts and pieces that I have had trouble with (such as the headpiece wiring coming out) have been replaced by Advanced Bionics free of charge. This could be because there is a warranty (on the implant), but there is no warranty on batteries."
Q: What type of precautions do you have to take to avoid infection or damage to the implant?
A: "I live my life no differently than I did before the implant. I have had no incidents of infection. When I get sick from a cold or flu now, my ears are not affected anymore. Taking rides in planes is also a lot easier and less painful. I no longer have to take pseuphedrine or any other antihistamines to help (before a flight). I don't have to take the cochlear implant off. I can wear the implant on the plane and actually hear words and voices."
