Not sure if you have the same problem, but I had a hard time looking for the right phone, desktop (wired) or handphone after I had my first CI (2004).
My daily routine office work involves frequent calling and receiving calls from customers. Initially, I shy away from phone calls and that affects my work productivity very badly. I often resort to using SMS to communicate with people.

The situation makes me hunt around for the right phone. I searched the internet for hearing aid compatible phones and also tried the phones at retail shops. But do not seem to get one that is really suitable for my use. So far, I have tried Bluetooth & handsfree device from Noizfree. The sound quality was good but somehow the device did not last. I have also tried the MaxIT bluetooth neckloop, the volume was so soft that I could hardly hear any voice.

After a long search, at last I found one neckloop, CLA7v2 Powered Neck Loop which I am most satisfied with. The call quality is good and there is little or no disruptions during calls. I have been using it for the last one month and I hope it will last as long as possible. Based on my own experience, I hope the information below is also useful to you if you are hunting around for a suitable phone.

Desktop wired phone
I am using a handset amplifier, HA-40 model (purchased from SGH). Just plug the HA-40 to the base set of your phone and connect the handset to the amplifier. The amplifier has an independent volume control which can increase the volume. No restriction to the type of phone you are using. Very useful for office or home. It operates on a 9V battery. No drop in call quality. Other family members can also use. Can choose to use with or without T_Coil, depending on individual.

Hand Phone
I am currently using Nokia E71. So far I find this most friendly to use with CI. When used with T-Coil, there is minimum interference and buzzing sound. Call quality is usually good.

If you need handsfree for phone call, below are options you can consider:

Bluetooth Neck Loop
There are a few versions available in the local market, the MaxIT, the Artone and the Noizfree Beetle. Most of these devices control its volume through the handphone. I found them too soft for my use. So, try them before buying. Try them in nosier environment and not just in quiet enclosed room.
Another option is the CLA7BT Neckloop Bluetooth. It has an independent volume control with amplification up to 30db. Even in noisy environment, you should be able to hear clearly. It is powered by a lithium rechargeable battery. Though I have not tried the bluetooth version but I am now using the wired version with the same technical technical specification. See below on CLA7v2 Powered Neck Loop.

The advantage with bluetooth neckloop is it should work with any phone with Bluetooth capability. So you can choose the type of phone you want with bluetooth capability. But it consumes a lot of battery power.

Wired Neck Loop
I am using CLA7v2 Powered Neck Loop. It comes with 5 interchangeable, color-coded adapter cables. It is compatible with iPhone, cell phones (with 2.5mm or 3.5mm jack connector). I understand it is also compatible with cordless phones, audio devices such as iPod, MP3 and DVD players, and assistive listening devices that use a neck loop. It has an independent volume control with amplification up to 30db. I have no problem connecting to my Nokia E71 with the 2.5mm mono audio jack. If you are using other brand or model, you should try before buying. Alternatively you can purchase an appropriate adapter.
The calls are loud and clear. You can use it comfortably under most situations. You can adjust the volume to suit your hearing needs (30db is loud).
For bilateral (like me), you will enjoy the clear and loud sound with both hearings.

Similarly, you can enjoy stereo music from your ipod or radio. There is a stereo cable supplied with the device. The device has a convenient switch which you can off when not in use. It operates on 2 AAA batteries and can last as long as 2 weeks.

Cons (Ooops):
The size is quite big (looks like a big pendent, oval shape, abt 35mm x 70mm) and a bit of weight with 2 batteries.

We were fortunate enough to receive a presentation by Patrick Holkins who is the founder of Hear. Now. South Africa (HNSA) and Hearing Loss Nation (HLN), a US based online community for individuals with hearing loss between the ages 18 and 35.

Patrick lost his hearing at the age of four as a result of a bout with meningitis and started wearing hearing aids by the age of 12. He is a Harvard graduate in political science and is also an avid rugby player, playing Ivy League rugby in the United States. He is in South Africa working with a rural community in the Eastern Cape with the aim of establishing a sustainable hearing loss screening and treatment With the help of the Audiology staff at Nelson Mandela hospital in Umtata, he hopes to ensure that all hearing impaired children in the region receive timely and effective hearing health care.   His audiovisual presentation was excellent and inspiring. His passion and commitment to uplifting the hard of hearing community serves as an inspiration to us all. Please check his website out at www.hearnowsa.com

Jenny Perold was up next, presenting topics that we are to discuss for future general meetings.  Everyone agreed on a number of topics, this included topics such as coping with hearing loss at work and at University and how to deal with hearing loss in unfamiliar environments. Some great suggestions were made and it seems that hear2day will be hosting a few more role playing sessions, as well as some additional informal general meetings this year.

We are also glad to announce that hear2day is now a registered Non Profit Organisation (NPO) with a fully functional and approved constitution. This is thanks to the unwavering persistence and efforts of our Treasurer, Fred Benning.

Thanks to Gail Jacklin for providing the snacks and refreshments, they were delicious as always.

We had our very own paparazzi at the meeting, with Andrew Nel and Paul Jacklin snapping up pictures as the meeting progressed. The pictures will be posted online shortly!

The evening was closed by our chairperson Tony Abrahamson, thanking all the members who attended. Special thanks were made to Jenny and Patrick for their wonderful presentations and for those who contributed in ensuring our first hear2day general meeting of 2010 was such a great success.

Hearing Aids became a must from the age of 22. Starting out with the small in the ear hearing aids and, two years later moving to a BTE in the one ear soon followed by another BTE hearing aid for my other ear. Unfortunately this severe deafness became profound three years later, to the extent that it was almost impossible for me to lead a normal life.

I knew that I should not cut myself off from normal activities, but the stress and strain that came with attending a mere social gathering made me tired and at times miserable. I became anxious and constantly on my guard. Unknowingly my professional life also suffered. I could hardly put forth my studies as hearing in lecture theatres was a nightmare. I repeatedly applied for absence of leave. In essence I could not do more than one thing at a time. Work took precedence over all else, since it provided for my livelihood and possibly because I felt that it was necessary for me to proof that I was as good as, if not better than, my piers. Naturally my family and social life suffered a great blow. Needless to say and unknowing to me, I stopped living and merely existed for a long time.

Then the miracle occurred; I had a cochlear implant (CI). My life took on an amazing turn. Still today I find it unbelievable that I am able to hear as much as I do. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I am still deaf. The miracle of sound was given back to me through a mere operation, a simple medical procedure; but it came with a huge prize tag. As a recently married couple my husband and I could not afford this operation. Although my medical aid covered the operation cost; they merely covered R30 000 of the equipment, which according to them is considered a prosthesis.  We were determined for me undergo the operation as soon as possible and incurred a huge amount of debt that will hang over our heads for years to come. Currently, it is crippling us with the current and continued hike in our interest rate. Fortunately for me, my husband is very philosophical about it, and said that it an investment in me.

For me my CI is a new life source and I feel more alive now than I ever did in a very, very long time. Before this, I constantly worried about being deaf and becoming a recluse like so many of my family members (10 aunts/uncles and even more cousins and nieces/nephews). Now I know there is hope, by the grace of God and due to technological advances, anything is possible.  Although this miracle of hearing is a stone throw away from anyone that is hearing impaired, it being a very simple procedure; it still evades so many people with a profound hearing loss. Neither the state nor the Medical Aids are doing much to make this a reality to many. Most South Africans are denied this…Why??? I really don’t know. It is clear that money decides who hear and who don’t!

Fred

ALEXANDER-HAMILTON FREDRIK BENNING, better known to all and sundry as ‘Uncle Fred’.

A born and bred Capetonian dating back to before the WWII , I lived with my parents and my brother Leo, for the first 24years at No 10 Bennington Rd, Tamboers Kloof in the City Bowl. I was born when my mom was well into her forties which was considered in those days to be pretty old to be having children.  Could it have anything to do with the fact that I was to be come deaf in later years???

It was during my junior school days at SACS Junior in Wandel St, Gardens that I first learned about the nature of deafness, its pitfalls and its established presence in the maternal side of my family.

This happened on a day, as my Mom would do every day come rain or shine, when she walked with me a 6yr old , from our home to school and back in the afternoons to safely cross the busy intersection of Rheede St to Kloof and Orange Sts.

On a day, having spotted me across the road at the intersection, she stepped off the pavement not noticing an approaching cyclist on his delivery bicycle to her right, bearing down on her.  She was struck down and suffered a damaged knee. After crossing over safely to help Mom to her feet again, she remarked to me “BUT I DID NOT HEAR THE BICYCLE APPROACH, AS I AM DEAF YOU KNOW!!’”.

And so began my experiences and knowledge of ‘deafness’ in my Mother’s family which I had not really noticed or grasped until that incident.

As the years passed this deafness in Mother got worse. As a family we had often to repeat things for her to understand. In addition I became very aware the my ‘Grossmama’ as one called ones grandmother of German descent, was in fact virtually totally deaf.

Most communication were by shouting out loud or by written messages on the slate board, which we all used at school in those days when paper was so scarce.    Hearing aids were in their infancy and very primitive and unobtainable during the late 40’s as there were greater priorities after the end of the war.

It seems though that I was fortunate that my deafness had not really begun to manifest itself until I had completed my high school and tertiary education as SACS Schools and UCT respectively. I cannot recall that I had difficulty hearing in class to follow lectures during my Engineering classes, whowever, what was said and written on the board was often rather hard to fathom out and understand!!!

I cannot really say at what age I began to realize that I had a hearing problem. However during  my my early forties, I spent much time working in industries which all emitted high decibel sound levels often well in excess of 85dbA. This exposure became more prevalent during the 70’s and 80’s when I was further exposed  to noisy working conditions as a commissioning Engineer responsible for ‘starting up and optimizing of steam boilerplant within sugar mill all around Southern Africa and neighbouring countries.  Foolishly, I did not take adequate precautions to protect my ears from harm with the use of earmuffs and plugs that I should have done.

So it was that I started to have hearing problems of such a magnitude that I had to ask my colleagues and family members to repeat question and conversations. That must have been some 15 years ago.  But it was only about 12 years ago that I consulted an audiologist for the first time at the House of Hearing.

I was then fitted with my first ‘in the ear canal’ hearing aid. As I got into my son’s car( he was transporting me) I clearly remember saying out loudly to him, “I can hear the music on the radio, it sounds wonderful!!!! This was the first for me in benefiting from assistive aids. I was overjoyed to say the least.

What a joy that was until the car’s engine was started, the car moving into the traffic. These motion noises came screaming into my tender ears with a deafening shock!!! You can imagine my innermost thoughts, one minute euphoria, the next a cacophony of noise!!! But I had to make a start

and learn to HEAR differently!!!!

I beleive I tried hard, but some three years later I returned to the H of H to complain about the really unsatisfactory assistance that particular H/A was giving.  I complained that people did not speak clearly nor directly enough for me to follow the conversation or discussion and that they, the speakers, needed to correct their ways of communicating to H of H persons.

I was told categorically by the audiologist “But Mr Benning, it is you who must adapt your hearing ways to be hear the speaker,it’s not incumbent on the speaker to always repeat and face you to enable you to hear!!!!!

I was shocked into silent disbelief, got up and left without saying another word and never returned to the House of Hearing.  Was I right or wrong to have walked out!!!!

And so my association started with Dr. Esterhuizen ENT, who on examination confirmed that he was unable to help me by way of any surgery, and introduced me to Gail, Audiologist at Constantiaberg Hospital Medical Suits. This association has been ongoing now for over ten years, would you believe it!!!

My hearing has deteriorated further over these years and several upgrades of H/A have been fitted with mixed success rates. We have moved from analogue Starkeys, to digital aids, to uni-directional to multi directional, from low power in the ear, to high powered BTE, from Hansetron, Otincon Adapto and  Sumo DM and the likes.  Denise, my wife and I have collectively participated in speak therapy lessons with Jenny, and I have undergone a preliminary CI assessment at Tygerburg Hospital.

All of this in an effort to IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEARING AND UNDERSTANDING PEOPLES COMMUNICATIONS.

From my experiences, the following are my specific problems;

• I have great difficulty with word and sentence recognitions and clarity, especially with the  ‘s’s and ‘t’s, even with the use of aids
• Sounds from radio, TV, mobile and landline phones are not satisfactorily intelligible for me to understand
• Trying to follow group discussions (except with HI support group members) is particularly difficult, making group meetings very difficult and tiresome and often results in me wrongly interpreting what is said.
• The habit of speakers have to direct their conversation to hearing persons, instead of to the ‘hearing impaired’ persons
• This is for me a major concern in particular with close family members, who just don’t seem to remember to direct their discussion with me. I cannot understand why not!!
• The generally ‘poor speaking habits(and accents) of speakers’ is a major factor in the success rate of my ability to hear, i.e people whisper, mumble, mutter, shout etc!! instead of speaking clearly and having eye contact!!

In summary then, my deafness has seen a gradual deterioration over the past twenty years or so, the main causes being;

• Family hereditary
• A very noisy long endured work environment
• In adequate use of correct ear protection
• Generally unsatisfactory help from assistive hearing aids
• The general ageing process

The way forward ??

• Further upgrading of digital hearing aid and modern assistive devices
• Enthusiastic support for Hear2day Support group initiatives
• Serious consideration to having C I surgery and rehabilitation
• Finding funds or state assistance to enable CI to take place

Thanks for you for attention, Uncle Fred

Knowing that sudden hearing loss is regarded as a medical emergency, I immediately contacted my ear specialist and what followed was a whirlwind series of events.  These started with initial high doses of cortisone (tapering), MRI scan to eliminate a brain tumour or an acoustic neuroma, several days in a decompression chamber undergoing hypobaric oxygen treatment and a six-week course of histamine tablets.  The rationale behind all these treatments is to increase blood flow to the inner ear.  It appears from audiograms taken before and after treatment that some recovery occurred in the lower ranges of the spectrum, but the frequencies required for good speech recognition have unfortunately been permanently damaged.

The prospect of life with severely compromised hearing was a severe shock, and how it would affect my thriving engineering consulting practice, my passion for long distance running and my social life, was a daunting challenge indeed.  Fortunately, I have a loving and supportive wife – Audrey and I spent endless hours combing the internet for medical journals and articles on sudden hearing loss, and possible treatments.

Once it became apparent that I should consider taking advantage of a hearing aid, our internet research revealed leading edge technological advances in hearing aid development, and particularly which companies were ahead of the game internationally.

Denmark soon came up on the radar as a country where hearing aid development has been pioneered and still remains a leader in the field.  Widex was clearly a market leader, and it attracted my immediate attention when I read about the Widex Marathon team that took part in the Berlin Marathon in 2005 wearing the Senso Diva élan.

I am constantly subjected to a wide variety of working environments involving high pressure meetings, workshops and much time on the telephone.  For these demands I require a hearing aid instrument of great sophistication – acquiring the Inteo élan has allowed me to meet these stringent demands.  After many adjustments made by my patient audiologist, the instrument is now fine tuned. The intelligence of the instrument has proven to be remarkable, tuning into voices and enabling me to hear quite acceptably in most office and meeting room environments.

My training programme for the 56 km Two Oceans Marathon in April 2007 in my home city of Cape Town requires considerable time on the road.  Good hearing is essential to safely hear approaching cars and to communicate with fellow runners.  Therefore, wearing the Inteo élan while running is non-negotiable.  The behind-the-ear design and the comfortable open fit of the élan keeps the device steady and in position.  It is of course vital that the Inteo remains dry in these circumstances.  My personal solution has been to cover the Inteo with a snugly fitting super seal which keeps it totally waterproof.

As a newcomer to the world of hearing aids, I have quickly adjusted to life with the Inteo, as it produces quality sound, and albeit not the real thing, it’s pretty close to it.  As with most engineers I have a fascination for the incredible technological advances of our time, and am grateful that I can benefit from the software and microprocessor hardware used in these instruments.  Based on my knowledge of the high standards achieved by Widex, I look forward to their next steps of progress in the research and development of hearing aid technology.

Losing my hearing has had a great impact on my life, both positive and negative, although I prefer not to dwell on the negative aspects; I will give some form of summary of what I went through and how I managed to cope, as a result of my unfortunate hearing loss.

My hearing loss was sudden and unexpected. I had initially lost my sight as a result of contracting Viral Meningitis and was taken to hospital, whereby I was misdiagnosed as simply being mischievous, when complaining to my parents that I could not see. I was promptly sent home and told to see another doctor the following morning.

It was then that I was diagnosed with Viral Meningitis, a life threatening illness. I spent about a week in the Intensive care unit, where I semi-consciously spent my 13th Birthday.  One morning, two weeks later after receiving a lumber-punch, I awoke to the sound of silence. I then spent another week or two recovering in hospital.

After being discharged from hospital, almost a month after being admitted, the real challenge began.

Adjusting to daily life was very difficult, as I had not yet fully recovered, being able to walk was a challenging as my balance was out and my right eye was squint causing to me have double vision.

Adjusting to school was also a challenge. For the first few months after leaving hospital I did not wear a hearing aid as doctors wanted my hearing to recover on its own accord, in that time I had to attend school and somehow miraculously managed to pass my grade. The damage was both external and internal, yet this damage allows one to appreciate the gift of life, allowing an understanding that can only be understood through suffering.

Ultimately, I am fortunate to be in the situation I am today, many other individuals in this country are in a worse situations and desperately need assistance and support. I am confident that this group will alleviate the plight of other hearing impaired South Africans and also provide support for its members.