Bits and Pieces

While I was surfing the net, I found a good detailed picture of how the CI is implanted just inside the base of your skull and electrodes in the cochlea. The brain is never touched during surgery. In this picture, the microphone is on the headpiece, that is on a particular brand of CI. However, Raymond's and soon-to-be-mine CI - the microphone is on the BTE (Behind the Ear) processor:

When you get your processor turned on, hearing strange sounds for the first time, you are given a kit to take home:

HARMONY ADULT KIT

Standard Items:
1 Harmony Processor Module
2 Headpieces
4 PowerCel Batteries
1 Standard Earhook
1 Direct Connect Earhook
1 Direct Connect Cable
1 Audio Interface Cable
1 PowerCel™ Charging System
1 PowerCel Charger Car Adapter
1 Little Things Wallet
1 Travel Case
1 Carrying Case

All three Base Colors: Beige; Silver Metallic; Dark Sienna Metallic - have a matching Headpiece and Blending Color cap and cover.

Raymond has chosen Forest Green, Burgundy, Deep Dark Purple (looks like black), and State Blue accents with the Silver Metallic base.

I have chosen Silver, Beige, Dark Sienna Metallic and Black with the Beige base.

There are two different battery sizes: PowerCel Slim and PowerCel Plus. PowerCel Slim battery provides up to an average of 14 hours between charges on the Harmony processor in the Power Economy mode. PowerCel Plus - same as above, but 24 hours:

Raymond has the PowerCel Slims and they only last 4 to 5 hours. I will expand on this on the next posting.

Components of a Cochlear Implant: Images tells all:

Implant: HiRes 90K® with HiFocus Electrode:

Sound Processor: Harmony (Behind the Ear) Sound Processor: