Activated - created new post thread

It is activated and initial focus was me saying what sound was too soft; what was too loud. She then put four programs on my remote that takes the volume up each time. She said that first four weeks is just increasing sound; then when I come for next appointment she will do mapping.

@nicmger said:

It is activated and initial focus was me saying what sound was too soft; what was too loud.

This is mapping. There will be more of the same and in the booth hearing tests to find out what you do and do not hear well. Your next mapping typically improves your hearing but not always.

The N8 and K3 should sound identical or close to it. My N7 and K2 processors sound the same.

Since you are new to wearing processors there might be a bit of acclimating to the new feel, they shouldn’t hurt. The hook size might help the N8 issue. The K3 sounds like you need to try one size smaller magnet. Glad to hear the K3 is staying on your head. Many have an issue with that for a few months early on.

Congratulations on your new CI.

@nicmger said:

Today vs Monday - instead of just “noise” I can tell that there is speech but not necessarily a lot of words.

You are doing great.

I see you being a rock star soon. A phrase I heard from my audiologist when my word understanding got into the 90’s for each implant.

Yesterday I asked my wife if she could hear the hummingbirds. To me they were loud but she couldn’t hear them. I really enjoy listening to nature now. Before CI I couldn’t.

Thank you for the support! I am thru 7 full days. I am wearing in minimum of 12 hrs from the time I get up to going to bed. I have been switching from on ear to off ear throughout the day.

Off ear - perhaps the magnet is too strong. It is fine as I get started but after about 3-4 hrs especially in noise (vibration ??) is starts to fire off a bit of pain. I did just this afternoon replace the ear hook for the on ear nucleus with the hugfit silocone that wraps the ear (like a rubber band). While I don’t “love” seeing it at the front of my ear it has seems to get rid of the back portion rubbing on my ear which in it self was causing pain.

I feel like when wearing the hugfit I would like a shorter cord from the magnet to processor so it could just stretch across and not have an extra portion that loops (drops down like a smile not a circle full loop). Not sure if that is a “thing”. Definitely plan to add it to my list of questions when I do the first “full” mapping.

I have been following her instructions ike reading outloud at least 1-2 hrs per day. At work I have all virtual with captions anyway so use that. And then I have been selecting/playing incoming emails to read to me to get more work in. Other than that she didn’t tell/ask me to start any specific apps/programs yet.

I will get there!

I added a soft pad to the Kanso 3 which has helped address the discomfort. The hugfit band for the on ear processor seems to help minimize the back part (battery) rubbing against my ear.

I have noticed in a quiet controlled environment (no background or competing sounds) certain people talking I can understand what they are saying. (Different tones) Which is exciting. In addition to the “homework” from the audi of working to increase sound (I am now at the highest level of the 3rd program and will move to #4 next week), reading outloud to myself throughout the day, of course all zoom/teams meetings now play sound thru computer - versus I used single headset on my good ear prior - and close captioning so I can read along, I started using the earplug in my good ear and working thru some of the apps for training that were recommended here. Last night “rock” and “lock” got me every time. Meaning I was wrong. LOL Also just paired the TV streamer and used that last night (with captions of course). That was a bit tiring for sure but all going for the end goal!

In the next couple of months I have to decide if I want to keep the one of each (off ear and on ear processor) or if I want to use primarily one version and send the other back for a 2nd. Meanig if I want two off ear or two on ear. Going into it I thought I would only want the off ear BUT in these last 2 weeks not so sure. I like the of ear because no extra pressure on my ears when wearing sunglasses but the processor is definitely a bit bigger so leaning back in my chair has knocked it off a couple of times. The on ear alllows for the much thinner magnet so definitely not as noticeable.

Thanks all!

@nicmger said:

Good news is that with both (after the softpad added and/or hugfit) I can wear either of them all day long without needing to switch out because they were bothering me. Baby steps!

This is a sign both have too strong of a magnet. Typically the N7/8 will use one magnet strength less than the K2/3 processors. It’s good you are hearing these things before your next appointment. Something to talk about.

Congratulations! Reading thru your other posts, it sounds like you’re moving fast and well.

Thank you! I am hoping that at my appt on Jan 5th testing shows some word recognition. I “think” it will but since I do have good hearing in the other ear I know that even with it plugged potentially it could be bringing in some sound that lets me think I am hearing things. LOL
This board has been a great help to me reading experiences prior and then hhaving te ability to share my questions during and since to get “real life” feedback has been a blessing.

As of Thurs I have progressed thru the increasing volume programs on the remote for my processor. I am at highest level now. (Highest that was in the initial remote step up gradual volume increases.)

@Raudrive said:

Are you getting any speech yet?

Before this appointment I do believe that I am beginning to understand some speech in certain situations. For example if I am on a call in my car, stopped, no engine/wind/road noise certain people’s voice tones I think are coming thru pretty clearly. Blocking my good ear with talk radio, certain voices especially if they are speaking at a slow/moderate pace I can get many words - usually enough for understanding the basic topic.

With this adjustment (which I will likely get used to like the initial one), her voice was certainly louder, mine really noticeable - but not unlike when first fitted with a hearing aid and suddenly a lot of sound.

I do believe that this adjustment will help me train faster.

It was “interesting” (to me) that when she started the soft/loud individual testing she said it may not sound like a tone but to advise when I hear “something”. The initial electrodes did not have a tone or beep per se; but others did. She said that it is more of what my brain is learning/interpreting. I found it promising that at least half of them were true “sounds” that I could hear clearly. That also gives me hope towards continued progress (certainly didn’t hear anyting similar at setup).

She said I should get the magnets overnighted. She looked and didn’t have any 2’s or 3’s (she said most people have 4 & 5 so that is what she has a few extra). She did have an extra tv streamer that she gave me so that I could have one for both of my tv’s. I had shared with her that I hooked up the one about 10 days ago and have been using that as add’l training so sounds/words go directly into that ear - and I always have the close caption for reading along.

It was fun reading your post. Brought back memories.

You are doing great. Each mapping will be louder and clearer. As you adjust you will want more gain, loudness. Things will start sounds quiet and maybe muffled. That’s when you want to bump the volume up.

Have you got the Nucleus Smart app on your phone? Guessing you do to change programs. Do you have sensitivity and or Master Volume under the volume control? These controls are something you need to ask your audiologist to enable on your app.

Keep us posted.

@Raudrive said:

Have you got the Nucleus Smart app on your phone?

Not yet - she wanted me to wait on the app until we get a little futher in. Since the phone will default to the processor and as my hearing is much better in the other ear she said it would make it harder. She did put other programs on the remote for me.

As I sit here tonight, I have the TV on (not streaming) and if I plug my other ear (close my eyes so no reading/cheating) I can understand some words…not all. It IS the first time that the volume sounds similar incoming to my good ear.
I didn’t ask her (should have looked) where I am now in the sound range vs how much room is left to increase when needed.
All she made sure to point out is to ensure that I don’t start slacking and not doing the work to continue training my brain.

I am going to push the CI over the aid. Your CI is priority. My opinion.

Try to get the app set up. It will give you more control over your rehabilitation.

You are at the cusp of really getting started. Figuring out a few words is the beginning of overwhelming new things. Push only the CI to learn. Remove all sounds from the other ear when you can. I differed with my audiologist about this and became a rockstar, his words.