<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Hi Eric, </div><div id="AppleMailSignature">My name's Danielle. I'm a colege student and am DeafBlind. I do not have a cochlear implant myself so I can't answer all your questions. But I am willing to discuss some strategies I have used when hearing isn't an option. I would be happy to give you some resources and can answer some of your questions about independence regardless of whether your son receives a cochlear implant or not. My email address is: <a href="mailto:danielleburton94@gmail.com">danielleburton94@gmail.com</a> <br><br><div style="direction: inherit;">Danielle Burton, Secretary National Federation of the Blind DeafBlind Division </div><div style="direction: inherit;">Email: <a href="mailto:danielleburton94@gmail.com">danielleburton94@gmail.com</a></div><div style="direction: inherit;">Phone: 859-469-6260 </div></div><div><br>On Apr 9, 2018, at 1:15 AM, Eric V via NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Dear Division Members,</font></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">We are considering a cochlear implant for our youngest son & would really appreciate your input & insights.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">A bit of background: He attends our local high school where he is a sophomore. He is totally blind without light perception, a fluent braille reader, super-techie, & loves to swim & sing in our church choir.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">We first noticed his hearing was not as good on the left around 4th or 5th grade, & by 6th grade he got hearing aids on both sides. He has been using the FM system in school for some classes & doesn’t find it helpful for others.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">His hearing had been stable for about 2 years. The last 2-3 months however he has seemed to have had more difficulty hearing on & off at school & home too, but it was somewhat inconsistent & he had a few colds, but the last 4 weeks or so, we have been having to repeat things more & talk louder. His recent audiologist appointment confirmed the significant & definite reduction. MRI is normal. We saw a neurotologist who is recommending a cochlear implant on the left. On the right, he has moderate hearing loss & has been getting by with the hearing aids. In a quieter environment outside of school he often prefers not to use even the right hearing aid. <span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Questions:<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Are there any special considerations given the total blindness & partial, though poor, hearing on the 1 “good” side?<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">From a independent travel, mobility standpoint how good/accurate is localization with a cochlear implant?<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">There are several cochlear implant systems on the market; any thoughts on which is best, or best for a teenage techie?<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Is there something newer & better in the near horizon that might be worth waiting a year or 2 for?<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Following a cochlear implant is there any residual hearing in the ear the procedure was performed on?<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Our son enjoys swimming – does that affect choice of cochlear implant systems?<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Are there other questions we should be asking or things we need to consider?<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">We live in Los Angeles, but are very willing to travel if that is what is best. Any thoughts on who is best to perform the procedure?<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Thank you very much for your thoughts & advice in advance.<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">All the best,<span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Eric </font></p></div></div>
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