If the
earhook for the N-24 isn't quite the right shape for your ear, it can be shaped
when holding it under warm water.
The
parents of a young implantee have put up a page of Survival
Strategies that they use.
When
testing the Nucleus coil with the wand for a connection, try moving the
coil around a bit at the same time. Sometimes there is a loose connection
which will not show up unless you try this trick.
This
was sent in for me to share with everyone: "I would like to share
some info about what I had to discover on my own about the phone adapter
with the N24. Cochlear doesn't share this info in their manual. But you
cannot use phones that don't have the keypad on the base. So that
means that all the handheld keypads do not work with the phone adapter
that comes with the N24. Cochlear doesn't have this stated in their
manual. They just have a picture of an old version of a desk top phone.
So after switching phone adapters and numerous phone calls to Cochlear I
finally learned this secret. I filed a complaint with them and hope
it is in print in their next manual. I have helped several N24 users
discover this assumable knowledge that Cochlear thinks we should
automatically know by looking at a picture. :) My
daughter can now enjoy using the telephone...AMAZING
For the
ESPrit, any cord that plugs directly into the audio cover (boot) will turn
off the ESPrit microphone. So, anytime you use the telecoil or lapel
microphone you are only hearing from those devices. After you unplug your
device, to get the ESPrit microphone to work again, you will need to turn
the ESPrit off and then back on again. Any cord that plugs into the
accessory adaptor cord, ie. the TV/Hi-Fi or personal audio cable, will
leave the ESPrit microphone on.
Some
folks who have children with the N24 implant are reporting that when they
use the clear plastic cover for the microphone (prevents little fingers
from removing the cables), the earhook keeps falling off and the threads
get stripped. One mother realized that with the plastic cover on, the
earhook doesn't screw down as far as it should so she took an x-acto knife
and trimmed the area that prevented the earhook from screwing down as it
should. She reports she's had no problems with the earhook falling off
since then..
Electrostatic
discharge (a static shock) can be hazardous to the map for cochlear
implant speech processors. For this reason, children with cochlear
implants shouldn't play on plastic slides (or in ball pits, etc.) Many
folks have said they've had troubles finding metal slides. And please, remember to always test out the temperature of a metal
slide before allowing a child onto it. If it's too hot for you to keep
your hand against the slide, it's too hot to allow a child to slide on it.After searching
for a while, The following companies are reported to sell metal slides. If anyone knows of other sources, please let us
know!
- American Playground
-
Boundless Playgrounds - While they don't actually
manufacture playgrounds, they do offer some services. Boundless
Playgrounds seeks to increase public awareness of the tremendous
need for playgrounds where children of all abilities can laugh, play and
grow together. And, to demonstrate how all children benefit from them.
Of equal importance, the Boundless Playgrounds team provides direct
services to people, groups and companies who want to design and develop
these special, and much needed playgrounds.
- Playground Services
-
WoodcraftPlans - Sells plans for a fort with a wooden slide.
While
we're on the topic of static, I've heard of folks spraying or wiping down
stuff with fabric dryer sheets, fabric softeners, etc. You could also try
some of the sprays designed to control static. Here are a couple of links
to get you started:
One
Clarion user reports she was told that if she changes the length of her
cord, she should have her map checked. Not sure if this goes for Nucleus
users or not so if you change the length of your cord, you might want to
check with your audiologist to see if your map needs to be checked.
Many
Clarion users are reporting hairline fractures at the edge of the
contacts. If your batteries do have this crack, you need to replace them.
If it's been less than a year since you got them, Advanced Bionics will
replace them.
One
person reports keeping their long cord in place in the center of his back
by threading it through the label on the back of his shirt. If your shirt
doesn't have a tag in the back, you could use a small gold safety pin
(washable). This way the cord has freedom to move up and down providing
you with enough slack, and yet stays in place where it's supposed to.
Apparently
there is a problem with the Clarion Battery Charger which Advanced Bionics
knows about. The problem is that the batteries don't fit in the charger
tight enough and with a loose fit, the charge does not complete. They
offer to send two Velcro strips which are to be put in the charger to
tighten the fit. My source for this info says they also offer a free chord
choice since you will be correcting the problem for them.
Users
of the single battery pack for the N-24 often have problems with the
processor saying the battery is low after only a few hours use. (My son
also experienced this problem.) One mother reports that during the recent
1999 CICI convention at a lecture for the parents of N-24 kids, Cochlear Corp.
said that this was a glitch that they are working on and if you open and
shut the battery door that this is a fix (until the correction software/hardware
is ready) and the low battery shouldn't signal again until they are really
low.
Almost
everyone I've seen uses a pencil, pen, or some other sharp object to poke
the button batteries out of the ESPrit speech processor (the behind the
ear one). If you use that method, here's another one for you to try. Use
the magnet in the coil. Just put it up near the batteries and they should
come right out. There is a little lip near one of the batteries that may
cause it to not want to come out this way, but if you experiment with
holding the magnet in different positions, you'll soon find one that will
work.
Some people are reporting
problems with the ESPrit shutting down (intermittency problems) during
use. Most all the on/off problems are
voltage issues due to insufficient power. Our page on Batteries
may help some who are experiencing this problem. I've also heard that
Cochlear will probably be coming out with a three-battery Esprit for those
whose C levels are on the upper edge of its tolerance. Our son started
using the ESPrit today and within a few hours, he was also having problems
with this also. It seems like there is no one solution for this problem.
These tips have been contributed by members of the CI-Forum and are
things that have worked for them:
- Turning the volume down just a very small amount from 4 1/4 to 4
worked for me.
- Flicking the switch off and then back makes the ESPrit start working
again.
- Some people say that changing the kind of battery they use has
helped. We've taken some of the comments on Batteries and put them
together on our Batteries page.
- Allow the batteries to sit for at least 5 minutes after removing the
tab and placing it in the ESPrit to allow the battery to become fully
activated.
- It has been suggested to try wearing the accessory "boot"
casing instead of the regular one if people are having a cut-off
problem, as the boot's plug
allows for some air to circulate into the BTE (for the battery).
- Some of the ESPrit intermittency problems can be solved by
reprogramming.
- Some people report that theirs has been caused by moisture problems
and that making sure to use the Dri-Aid pack has helped them.
Further Notes on our son's intermittency problems: We tried almost all
of the above, but still had problems. Even with fresh high power batteries
aired for 5 minutes, the accessory door, and volume turned down, after 1
1/2 hours the unit shut down. Our Audiologist called Cochlear Corp. to see
what their suggestions were. First she suggested always using the Dri-Aid
pack since it doesn't take much moisture in the ESPrit to cause the
batteries to have to work harder, thus shutting the unit down. They also
suggested allowing the battery to air for a few moments first. We
explained all we had tried. When we explained about the accessory door she
said she had never heard of that, but it makes sense as it would allow
more air into the battery and was a good tip. I asked her about re-mapping
and if that was our next step. She said that Cochlear Corp. has done a
review of re-mapping and the intermittency problem and they've concluded
that re-mapping really doesn't help. She suggested that our next step was
to be sure to use the Dri-Aid pack (which we hadn't done since the unit
was new out of the box and we hadn't even made it home before it shut down
the first time) and to switch to Silver Oxide batteries (she specified
Ray-O-Vac 357) which are
available at camera stores or from them. She said the cost was about $4
for 5 from them (much more expensive at the camera store), but that he
would only get about 1 1/2 days of use from them, not the 60-80 hours of
use that the active air batteries provide. I pointed out to her that in
our case, the active air batteries were only providing 1 1/2 HOURS of use
so going to a battery that could provide 1 1/2 DAYS of use would be a step
up. ;-) We tried these batteries and his ESPrit
gave him no problems for about 1 1/2 days.
There are some reports now that some people who use the silver oxide
batteries are getting a hum in their ESPrit for about the first hour or so
(due to the higher amount of power the battery provides?)
Some
folks say to help keep their headset from falling off, they shave the area
under their magnet and then use a
3M Double Stick
Disc.
While doing some
research for someone who developed a sore because their magnet
was too tight, I received a tip that may be useful for those who develop sores easily. (Of
course, you should also ensure that the magnet is not too tight, but a few folks seem to
have problems even so.)
My daughter, too, has very thin skin and we have to watch her scalp closely to make
sure that she does not have any sore spots developing. (She has had it happen, and
polysporin quickly heals it). Our audiologist told us to put 'moleskin' on the coil. It is
a sticky-backed velvety product available in many stores that carry foot care products. It
has worked very well as it does not allow the teeth on the N24 coil to dig into her scalp.
If you run out of elastics for your clip, many
adults are reporting they use the small elastics used by orthodontists. Many also report
that after explaining what they're used for, the orthodontist office will give them quite
a few of them at not charge.
On
the topic of elastic and clips, Douglas tells us:
I experienced considerable difficulty in this area of the elastic on
the clip. To overcome it I used cotton and thread, over sewing the point
where the elastic was fitted. It has worked effectively for two years.
I'm hearing from a number of people who report better sound quality when they
use alkaline batteries instead of the rechargeables supplied by the manufacturers. Others
report no difference. If you haven't tried using alkaline batteries, it might be worth it
to give it a shot. Those that do report a difference won't use rechargeables anymore.
An Adult Clarion user reports that if she
doesn't smooth out her hair between the mic and the implant, the sound is very distorted -
like listening to sounds underwater.
On the
topic of hair, hair length can affect not only how well the magnet
attaches to the head, but also the sound quality. 2 signs that it's time
for my son to get a haircut are that the sound quality isn't as good as
usual and his magnet starts falling off more often than usual. If I
tighten the magnet, I have to remember to loosen it back up after the
haircut.
There have been
some reports of skin irritation underneath the cord. One parent who contacted Cochlear
Corp says they wrote back with the following information. The cord is made from a
biocompatible plastic (tested by an outside agency). If there is a rash, try wearing the
cord over clothing till the rash clears up. To reduce the chance of recurrence, clean the
cord with a soft cloth dampened with water and alcohol. An additional safeguard would be
to thread the cable through a shoestring (both ends cut off) or wrap it with paper tape.
They also state that none of the problems they have been apprised of have continued and
that most often, the rash cleared up without treatment. Cochlear Corp does keep track of
these issues and would appreciate a call if you experience this problem. 1-800-523-5798
Some users say that their implants will
activate the anti-theft devices commonly found in stores today. They also say that they
can hear a "brief loudish buzz" as they go through the scanners, but I've not
yet heard any reports of the devices being damaged from this (one reports it as a possible
cause for her child's map being erased). Other users say they have not set off any
anti-theft devices nor do they hear any noises as they go through the scanners. Cochlear
Corp advises turning off the processor as you walk through to avoid the noise.
If your little
one chews on the cords and damages them, try painting them with some THUM (a liquid made
to stop nail biting and thumb sucking). It has a nasty taste which discourages cord
biting. Another mother sends us this tip:
Go to a shoe store...buy the clear plastic lacings and
thread cord through this. Not only does it protect...it actually extends
the life!!!! For added fun and to "show off" or dress up...cover the
plastic laces with fancy beads of desired colors!!
You might not have ever thought of it, but you
can using the lapel mic in noisy situations (kind of like a built in assistive listening
device mic) and as a substitute for broken mics. Also, if you have to
wear a hat, bike helmet, or anything else that covers the mic on the
headset, you can use the lapel mic.
Some folks suggest using the lapel mic in the car if your implant is on
the side near the window.
Many
times, CI users wish they could have a cord custom built. There are folks
who do this custom work. My 13 year old son uses such a cord. He uses an
FM system in school as well as in certain difficult listening environments.
Using readily available cords, he could patch his FM into either his
Cochlear Implant or his Hearing Aid, but not both. Since sound booth
testing showed that our son gets an additional 5 dB in the lower
frequencies when he uses his hearing aid with his implant, we felt it
would be best for him to be able to hook his FM into both. We had a cord
custom made for our son to try. We wanted to have the cord for use with
his personal FM and if it worked, we would suggest his school get such a
cord. I made the mistake of thinking the best first test would be in the
school environment. He liked the cord so much he refused to bring it home
from school! The people who make custom cords and receive the most recommendations from
satisfied CI users are:
Bob Mendoza
4404 Hollingsworth Ct.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 585-0609
robm_94928@yahoo.com
George DeVilbiss
DeVilbiss Development Co., Ltd.
3056 Hazelton St.
Falls Church, VA 22044
geodv@erols.com
FAX: (703) 534-5568 (Preferred contact method)
Chris Russo
cjrusso@monmouth.com
