We had over 30 people at the Neptune seminar in Rockville.

I was able to see children that already got their bilateral Neptunes!!! I love the fact you can clip your processor anywhere!! I did a demonstration to a few people how I would wear my Neptune if I had one!!! I only wish!!!!

I also got to meet a candidate that was interested in AB's implants. He happens to work across the street from my building! Hopefully soon we will meet and have lunch!

Do I want the Neptune? Yes I do! BUT I rather wait for the next generation processor since insurance will cover a new implant per ear every 5 years with a justification. I only like it since its the off the ear option.

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Hope to see you there! This is from AB's website:

Introducing Neptune™, the world’s first—and only—swimmable sound processor from Advanced Bionics. Developed for all ages and lifestyles, the lightweight Neptune processor features the industry’s first freestyle™ design, allowing patients to hear their world with the comfort and beauty of nothing on the ear.

To learn more about the features and benefits of this revolutionary new sound processor, attend one of the following seminars designed for adults and parents of children with hearing loss as well as the professionals who support them. Additionally, the seminar will offer a demonstration of valuable resources to support your journey to better hearing. Time will be provided for chatting with other attendees and speaking directly with manufacturer representatives.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Rockville, MD

Who: Adults and parents of children with hearing loss as well as the professionals who support them. 

Registration Link: http://www.regonline.com/rockvilleconsumer0112

Captioning for each seminar will be provided.

Questions? Unable to attend the event, but would like to learn more?

Please contact the Bionic Ear Association (BEA):

Email  hear@AdvancedBionics.com

Call  866.844.HEAR (4327)

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Press Release Below:

 VALENCIA, Calif., January 6, 2012 – Advanced Bionics (AB), the global leader in cochlear implant technology, announced today that it received approval in Europe for Neptune™, the world’s first and only swimmable, waterproof sound processor. On December 1, AB announced FDA approval for the distribution of Neptune sound processors in the United States and Canada. The addition of TÜV approval for Europe allows AB to distribute Neptune worldwide.

Fully intended for swimming and bathing, Neptune is designed to help cochlear implant recipients hear both in and out of the water. Recipients using other products on the market must 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 freestyle™ design, allowing recipients to hear the world of sound with the comfort and beauty of nothing on the ear. As a testament to the polished styling, the Industrial Designers Society of America recently honored Neptune with a Silver Shaggie award in recognition of excellence in product design. Neptune’s freestyle wearing category is new 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 ClearVoice™, HiRes Fidelity 120™ and AutoSound™, 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.

For more information about Neptune, contact a local Advanced Bionics representative or visit www.advancedbionics.com.

About Advanced Bionics:

Advanced Bionics is a global leader in developing the most advanced cochlear implant systems in the world. Founded in 1993 and a subsidiary of the Sonova Group since 2009, AB develops cutting-edge cochlear implant technology that allows recipients to hear their best.

AB offers the most sophisticated cochlear implant system on the market, the HiResolution™ Bionic Ear System, with five times more sound resolution than its competitors, designed to help recipients hear in noisy settings and enjoy the full dimensions of music.

With sales in over 50 countries and a proven track record for developing high-performing, state-of-the-art products, AB’s talented group of technologists and professionals from all over the world are driven to succeed, work with integrity and stay firmly committed to quality.

To learn more about AB and its innovative cochlear implant technology, please visit www.advancedbionics.com.

*ClearVoice is pending regulatory approval in the United States. HiRes Fidelity 120 is not approved for pediatric use in the United States.

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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

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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!!!

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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 Neptune^TM*, 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 freestyle^TM 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 ClearVoice^TM, HiRes Fidelity 120^TM and AutoSound^TM, 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.

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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!

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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, TÜV, 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.

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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??

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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

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Unfortunately, AB is on a voluntary recall due to TWO failures. One here in the US and one in UK. The two patients are experiencing severe pain, loud sounds and shocking sensations within 8-10 days after being activated.

At least that AB is being honest and pulling it off the shelf before anyone else gets hurt like the other two people. Not naming any companies, other brands tend to sweep their recall under the rug and hide it from others that its not easily found online.

AB's number one priority is the recipient. Which shows me that they do CARE about their recipients!!!

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It was a great turn out... but we had some visitors there that we had to kick out since I had a permit to have the space for the entire day. They weren't too happy. Sorry!

We had Meredith - who has a rare kind of dwarfism called Morquio Syndrome that is thinking of getting an CI. Her only challenge is that she had a spinal fusion which means if you have surgery and get intubated, they can't tilt her neck at all.  We were told that Dr. Niparko from JHH has some surgeries as a local... eek!  I can't imagine that!

Of course, Carrie showed up just one day post-op. My BEA manager, Beth Anne called her a brave soul. She didn't come alone :) Her mom drove her and brought her down. I think she was in good spirits and well medicated for her pain management.

I was happy with today's outcome. Let's hope that the next one will be even bigger!!! Here are some photos!

Tom with AB's Directional Signs

Me with AB Balloons!!!

Carrie (blue shirt) with Me and Meredith (purple shirt)

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It's early in the AM!  Got so much prep work to do for the BEA's Picnic Gathering!  I got balloons to fill up, directional signs to put up too!

My fiancee is helping me a lot to do this!  We got people coming from Delaware and New Jersey!  And we have a gal that just had surgery yesterday that is coming to the picnic!  I know - already? She said that she really wants to go but I told her to take it easy.  I was able to go to her surgery yesterday since I had a mapping that morning.

Wish me luck! Hopefully it doesn't rain or get too hot.  We have a gazebo, so we should be in the shade all day!!!

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I was invited to go back to AB's HQ for Chapter Leader Training!  It was a great training session, got great ideas for my upcoming support groups! I can't wait to try out new ideas.

Finally got to meet a guy I've heard so much about in the AB world, Sam. He made me feel right at home in Valencia. And gave me some great laughs!

I was the ONLY person there with one implant.  Everyone was bilateral but I told em all that I was going to be bilateral in two weeks... can you believe it.. two more weeks to go!

I met a fellow named Stu, he does the AB BEA for the UK side. I was able to understand his british accent since I grew up with a few UK friends. And he has one implant himself and I asked him why not two? He said that UK doesn't approve bilateral implants for adults like the US does. Thats a bummer.

The worst part, I had to leave on my birthday! Needed to fly back home for an information booth in Virginia the very next day. I was hoping to get special treatment from the airline since it was my birthday.... no one noticed :(

Here are some photos from the visit!

Tina & Stu

Paul, me, Sam and Wayne!

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I had the opportunity to go to Valencia, California to visit AB's Headquarters for Mentor Workshop training.

This HQ is nested in Valencia, the beautiful valley in California, about a hour north of Los Angeles.

I got to meet other mentors which was nice to meet other people with unilateral and bilateral implants. Even met a cute little gal that is bilateral. I think she was the age of 2 or 3. She was super darn cute!

The time there was so short and didn't want to leave everyone. We could relate to other people's issues and problems.

I was considered as COCHLEAR BABY since I was only turned on for 3 months.

During my time there, I met so many people that were bilateral and I think Ive made the decision to go bilateral in next 6 months to a year!

If you ever go there, be sure to stop at the plant and get a tour of how they make the electrodes! They are made by hand!

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I went to programming without my family.... just me and my fiancée. Steve, my audie likes my progress so far... I told him that I heard that sound at AuBonPain that far away.....

He did mapping I think, where he finds the level of tolerance in each decibel. Then about 10 minutes later.. he turns it on... OH MY GOSH! It sounds SOOOO MUCH BETTER! But stronger than a hearing aid.

I was a happy camper! Steve also added a 1X magnet in the implant.. removed the dummy and added the extra magnet since my hair is heavy and still a little swollen. But it was my heavy hair that was knocking it down a lot.

As we left the hospital, it was raining out... I whipped on my rain coat.. and walked outside JHH. Hmm.. what am I hearing now? It was the raindrops on my raincoat... WOW.... My first sounds with the CI! It was so pleasant to hear something so nice like that. Thats a nice way to start my learning experience.

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The first week was rough. Everything I heard did not make any sense. I'm starting to wonder if I made the right decision here. I know it may be too soon. But I'm sorta lost here. I was all excited about activation and can I hear? Well yea but it don't sound right....just a bunch of freaking noise. Come on here.

Second. My implant keeps falling off when my hair is down. Grrrr...emailed my audie this week and he said that he can add another magnet. Whatever that means.

The day after I got activated, I went to Ocean City for the weekend. I heard a few things but they weren't clear. The ocean, the traffic and a loud bang. That's it! What a weekend.

Tomorrow is my 1st programming. I hope things sound better after I leave JHH tomorrow.

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You heard it right. About 16 more hours til activation of my Advanced Bionics Cochlear Implant! Will have some videos up soon!

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Yup. You heard it right, 8 more days til activation. I'm ready to see what I can hear.

On the other hand. I'm still in very little pain. Some days are good and some are bad. The implanted side has scalp soreness. But it's not even close to the implant. I don't know if anyone else has experienced that before.

I can feel the shape and the actual implant itself. It's sorta wierd to have something underneath my skin. I'm still trying to get over the size of the bump.

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The post-operative visit with Dr.Limb went very well. He was pleased with the outcome of my surgery. No complications during surgery. Also said that I had less bleeding than normal.

Here is a photo at the hospital. You can see that my face is swollen on the left. Surgery was on Tuesday morning, this photo was taken on Friday morning... not too bad 3 days post-op.

But I did have some dizziness that day and a few bloodsugar drops as well. But it was my first day out...did some errands with mom and picked up a big bottle of Tylenol for pain management for the next week or so.

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