0

Awesome Gift in the Mail :)

Posted by Tina on 9:00 PM in ,
Boy, it took me about 15 minutes to get this box out of the tiny mailbox!!!  I actually took several trips to the mailbox to attempt to get it out!  Well, it took me two steak knives and some surgery of the box.  I was able to get my gift out. The box had plenty of room but when us homeowners try to get it out of the frame with the key, the hole is smaller.

Advanced Bionics sent us a gift saying Thank You for us being volunteers for AB. I thought it was the nicest gift I ever got in a long time!

Thank you AB!


The Group Shot of us taken in AB's HQ
in Valencia, California
December 8, 2011

Inscription:
Thank you for helping others
to Hear and be Heard

|
1

3rd Visit to Advanced Bionics HQ in Valencia, California

Posted by Tina on 10:00 AM in , , , , ,
I got invited to go back to Valencia for my third time and I am grateful for the opportunity to go back and learn about their products and how the implants work.  The best part of the trip is to see others that I've met in the last two visits.

The primary goal is show us the Neptune, AB's new baby on the market.  Its being shipped in the beginning of January 2012.

We got photos done by a professional photographer.  One is the group photo of all of us Mentors and Chapter Leaders. We also got to play with the Neptune. They wanted to take photos of us wearing it any way we want to.  I made my Neptune Pink and then clipped it to my hair.  Oh my goodness. it was so light!!! Nothing on my ear. It took the weight off and loved it  - too bad I couldn't take it home :(

We also got to spend some time with the CEO and CTO of AB, Dr. Gerhard Roehrlein.  He was so interested in hearing our journeys and why we chose AB and why we have have been a loyal consumer and volunteer for AB.  I thought Gerhard was a pretty cool guy from an engineer perspective. He knows how important it is for us to 'hear' and hearing stories from us enforced that.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet him.

Of course, I've got photos from the trip!  :)


My friend Sam with Buddy!


Renee, Gerhard, Evelyn, me and Sam
We had a great time meeting Gerhard!


Our cute Flash Drive with all Neptune PDFs in there!


The rainbow of colors for the Neptune!


Advanced Bionics HQ!


Me modeling the Neptune.
I made mine pink (the photo does NOT show the pink well)
And the best part was it was off my ear finally!!!

|
0

Neptune!

Posted by Tina on 4:00 PM in , , ,
FDA released AB's Neptune to the market for United States... if you haven't heard about it.... you are gonna love it!  Its the first SWIMMABLE implant!  You can wear this in the pool and hear in the water.  It's pretty awesome and will be great for kids when they play with their friends at the pool or the water park.  They won't miss out ANYTHING!

Here is the release from AB:

VALENCIA, Calif., December 1, 2011 – Advanced Bionics (AB), the global leader in cochlear implant technology, announced today that it received approval in the United States and Canada for NeptuneTM*, the world’s first and only swimmable, waterproof sound processor.

Intended for swimming and bathing, Neptune is designed to help cochlear implant recipients hear in and out of the water. Recipients using other products on the market remove their processor when they swim or bathe, which means they miss out on important safety instructions and opportunities for language development because they are not hearing during those times. Developed for all weather, terrain, ages and lifestyles, Neptune allows recipients to enjoy an abundance of water and sports activities thanks to its durable, waterproof design. Parents of pediatric recipients will appreciate the bonding and learning that comes with hearing during bath time, as well as the safety of hearing in the pool.

Designed after the chic styling of popular consumer electronics, the lightweight Neptune processor also features the industry’s first freestyleTM design, allowing recipients to hear the world of sound with the comfort and beauty of nothing on the ear. Neptune’s freestyle design is a new wearing category for the cochlear implant industry, giving recipients the ability to choose their wearing style. With the variety of convenient accessories, recipients can wear the Neptune processor anywhere and way they choose, such as in the hair, on an arm, under a collar, in a pocket—a high level of flexibility not available in the market until now. Neptune also comes in a wide range of fashion-forward colors for matching it to wardrobes or showing it off. And for those who prefer a more discreet look, it can also be easily tucked away. Parents will appreciate the many features included to ensure that Neptune is the perfect choice for small children, including removable controls that make it tamper-proof so that children can always hear their best.

Advanced Bionics was able to develop these industry firsts without compromising hearing performance. Neptune is fully compatible with the most advanced hearing technology, including ClearVoiceTM, HiRes Fidelity 120TM and AutoSoundTM, which are only available from AB.* These sophisticated sound processing strategies are designed to deliver the best hearing performance in real-world environments where recipients would otherwise struggle, such as busy offices, loud playgrounds, music recitals and crowded restaurants.

Neptune garnered an enthusiastic response from the cochlear implant professional community when it was announced at this year’s European Symposium on Pediatric Cochlear Implantation (ESPCI) in Athens, Greece and the 13th Symposium on Cochlear Implants in Children that took place in Chicago, IL, USA.


Here are a few photos of the Neptune!


AB's Neptune with Aqua Mic


Colored Caps for the Neptune.  They come in a rainbow of colors :)


The Neptune clipped in the hair underneath the hair clip.
The Neptune can be clipped on ANYTHING such as hair, collar of your shirt, tie, goggles, etc.


|
0

BEA's Fall Gathering!

Posted by Tina on 10:00 PM in , , , ,
Today was the BEA's Fall Gathering since AB has been on the market. We had the event held at a pumpkin farm in Howard County... They had a huge pumpkin patch, hayrides, farm animals, and a cute gift shop.

We actually gave away Arlene's 2nd Book at this event and had a great turn out.

We also had a visitor from Massachusetts that has a bilateral surgery scheduled for November. This surgery is not very commonly done in adults since they want to preserve their 'good' ear in case something ever goes wrong with the implanted ear. Since his hearing aids aren't doing the work for him, he opted to get BOTH of his ears done on the same day!  Yes it has its risks but each individual is different!

It was a great day with just the right amount of people just before Halloween. The environment was perfect with the exception of the tractor riding every 30 minutes.

Enjoy the photos!!!


Mini-Melody hanging out with the refreshments!


Our information table


Of course Buddy had to have bragging rights :)


Me and my BEA manager, Katie


Mike and Katie talking to a teacher that wants to get CIs


Mike's two kids - Joshua and Annie


CI candidates!


Awesome shot of Katie in the background with the balloon in focus!


More talking!


Another shot of our brochure table


All huddled up and talking about our CIs and how we benefit from them


Fish-Eye Lens shot


Another Fish-Eye Lens shot


Fish-Eye Lens shot - me talking to a teacher that is seriously thinking of getting CIs


Me and my husband, Tom
Thanks for all his awesome help!


|
0

The Honeymoon to the Bahamas!

Posted by Tina on 11:09 PM in , ,
We had the most wonderful time on our cruise from Carnival to the Bahamas from Baltimore.  We also requested an interpreter since it was recommended by several people.  We are so glad we had Kristin.  There are so many accents on that ship!  I did meet one father that had a daughter with one implant from Cochlear. I offered to share my interpreter but his daughter doesn't know sign language at all :(

Here are some of our favorite photos from the cruise :)


The different country flags on the Carnival Ship


Me on Carnival Pride leaving Baltimore!


This isn't Titanic!


Playing Digital Scavenger Hunt - Had to find 4 people to join me doing a conga line!


Me with Ship's Mascot - Freddie!


Arriving at Cape Canaveral - doesn't the skyline look like a Carnival Ship?


Me and Tom at Nassau, Bahamas!!


Me and Tom at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas


Tom, Kristin and me
Kristin was our awesome interpreter!!!

|
0

Wedding!

Posted by Tina on 10:43 PM in , ,
I finally tied the knot to my best friend I met 8 years ago thru an CART reporter in college.  If it weren't for Fran, my transcriber - I would have never met Tom who can understand my frustrations, challenges, and goals in my life.  Tom also has a hearing loss whom wears bilateral hearing aids.

Our wedding day couldn't be more perfect. We had the perfect weather and everything went off without a hitch.  But we were both SO sick with bronchitis the week before the wedding.  We weren't so sure if we were going to make our honeymoon or not. I got better the day before the wedding and my husband, Tom got better the morning of the wedding!

We had a fabulous wedding photographer that I found thru a really nice lady who I still haven't met to this day. Her name is Abbie. She mentored me over two years ago when I was in the process of getting an CI.  She got married last year and her photos were exactly what I wanted for my album. Cindy Dyer is a photographer and graphic artist for Hearing Loss magazine that is by HLAA.

Cindy did our engagement photos and our wedding photos and I couldn't be more pleased! Here is a few photos from my family and our photographer.


Me & Tom kissing....


Woo-hoo!


My portrait


Reception Time!


Our rings


View of my dress and my bouquet that I made...


Us cutting the cake!  It was sooo good!


|
0

Bridal Showers!

Posted by Tina on 6:51 AM in , ,
Can you believe it? Just less than a month away til I say I do!

I had a huge bridal shower that was given by my family - Katie and Debbie. It was supposed to be Matt's graduation party. Me and my fiancée dressed up in the Raven's gear since they were playing that day! They sure surprised me! My entire family was there including my fiancée's. My grandfather's sisters were there as well his sister-inlaws. It was so good to see everyone!!

Then there was another one given by my best friend BrookeAnn and Jen. It was small but it sure was so much fun!!! There are a few photos of it below.

And finally, my work gave me one. The best part, they surprised me with my mom. I was in shock on how she got to Washington DC!!!! There are also photos below for that one too!!!


Brookeann, Me, Kim, Jen and Faith


Kim acting out!


Mom surprised me at work.

|
0

AB is back on the Market!!!

Posted by Tina on 6:39 PM in , ,
Yeap, you heard it right!  AB announced the re-entry of the 90K implant. Start calling your Implant Centre and start making those appointments to get your first CI or your bilateral surgery!!!! Cant wait for more and new exciting things in the future!

Here is the press release:


VALENCIA, Calif., September 13, 2011 – Advanced Bionics (AB), the only U.S.-based manufacturer of cochlear implants and a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Sonova, announced today the approval of the FDA for immediate market re-entry of the HiRes 90K cochlear implant in the United States. In recent months, Advanced Bionics received approval from several other regulatory agencies, including Health Canada and the European Notified Body, TÃœV, to resume distribution of the HiRes 90K implant to Canada and countries accepting the CE Mark.

“Everyone at AB and Sonova is excited that we are back on the market globally. We stand by our commitment to putting patients first and delivering high-quality products for the best possible hearing experience,” said Hansjuerg Emch, Group Vice President Medical of the Sonova Group. “The support we have received across the industry for our integrity has been incredible.”

AB’s first priority is the safety and well-being of patients, which is why it instituted a voluntary recall in November 2010 after becoming aware of a rare issue with the HiRes 90K cochlear implant. Of the more than 28,000 implanted HiRes 90K devices, only two (0.007%) explanted devices were confirmed to have this issue. In the months since the recall was instituted, AB implemented changes to its manufacturing process to ensure that there is no effect on the safety or efficacy of the HiRes 90K cochlear implant.

While off the market, AB actively continued all research and development projects that were under way prior to the recall.

“Our upcoming launches and products currently in development will continue to lead the industry and help our patients hear their best and live a fulfilled life,” said Dr. Gerhard Roehrlein, CEO and CTO of Advanced Bionics, LLC.


|
1

Rumors....

Posted by Tina on 1:39 PM in , ,
I'm hearing rumors about a totally swimmable CI!  There isn't any material for the US but I was able to find some stuff on the UK websites and UK blogs about it.

Is it worth getting the 'NEPTUNE' by Advanced Bionics??

|
0

HLAA in Crystal City

Posted by Tina on 1:33 PM in , , ,
The HLAA conference in Crystal City was a BLAST!!!!  This was my first time attending the event but I wasn't going there as a attendee.. I volunteered my time with Advanced Bionics booth to show the consumers how great AB's implant is!  Even though we are not 'back' on the market. We were able to show off our SKIN-ITs which are like really durable and thick stickers for our CI.  Mine lasted for almost a year!

I got to see my AB gang such as Sam, Evelyn, Jen, Dot, Becky and the list goes on and on and on!!!!

If you have never gone, promise yourself to save up the money and go one year!  You will have the best time of your life!  And the highlight is seeing WICKED in captioned!! My first play ever in caption.... I even sat in the very front row with my best friend Meredith who is a dwarf and needed to be seated closer to the stage so she can see the captions and the performance as well!

Enjoy the photos!! (They are compiled by all of my friends and me!) (and in no particular order!)


Sam pointing at Evelyn on the screen!  Here she is in person!!!!


My fiancee Tom doing a side handstand on the light pole!  Perfect timing with taking the photo!


Tina and Tina (from Chicago)


Tina and Sam


BethAnne and Tina


Evelyn and her pal, Shrimpy


Me (using a fisheye lens)


Me and Meredith


Barbara, Evelyn, Me and Jen


Wicked Play!


Meredith and Jen - look at the height difference!!!!


Sam giving Meredith some help on the bus! 


Jen and Me


Crabtree & Evelyn
Tina signing Crab, Jen signing Tree and Evelyn pointing at herself!


Showing off the AB's booth!


Tina and Anna from UK

|

Copyright © 2012 You gotta b'lieve Hon, or not! All rights reserved.