Overwhelmed

As if getting a CI wasn't overwhelming enough, they give you a bag, the size of a carry-on, jam-packed with accessories.  The picture doesn't really show what is in my bag, but it gives you an idea of how much stuff I got with my bionic ear.

Cochlear America, who made my CI, bundled the cost of everything -- the surgery, the device and all the goodies that come with it.  Before my surgery I had an appointment with my audiologist devoted to picking out the  accessories for my bionic ear. I was given a sheet of paper and allowed to pick out five items.  I don't even remember everything I selected, but I know I chose to get the aqua case that will allow me to wear it in the pool.  Now I'll be able to get in the water with Noah and be able to hear what is going on around me. 

I was really surprised when my audiologist told me that she was ordering two processors.  My first thought was, "Don't you think you should ask me if I want to pay for a second one?"  She quickly assured me that private insurance covers the cost and it's nice to have a backup in case something happens to one of them.  So I chose to have one black and the other mocha. 

When I opted for rechargeable batteries as my main way of powering my CI, I didn't give any thought to having one more gadget to keep track of charging.  But, that's not the only thing that needs to be plugged in or charged every day.  See that blue box in the picture?  That's what my store and dry container came in, and that wasn't included as one of my five accessories.  So every night when I get ready for bed I take off my CI and put it in the dry and store.  And yep, it has to be plugged in every night.  It zaps up the moisture in my CI that can cause damage to the electronic components.  I have not one, but two remote controls.  One small simple one that changes volume that can easily fit into my purse, and another one that allows me to change programs among other things.  And how does my bigger remote get it's power?  You guessed it...it has to be charged too.  Argh!  I already had a mess of cords to keep track of, now I've got three more.

I have been so busy getting ready for the holidays that I haven't spent much time going through everything in my suitcase (that's what I call it). I take my bag with  with me when I go to my audiologist appointments because sometimes there are things she has to refer to when we are going over my progress and questions I have.  And speaking of progress...my next post will be devoted to this topic.  Hopefully by then I'll have more therapy experience to share.