Static Electricity

Static electricity could be a potential problem for certain types of implants. We NEVER let Jacob play on plastic play equipment (slides, trampolines, ball pits, etc.) or any equipment that generates static without taking his proccesor off. The static could wipe out one or all of his programs stored in the processor. However, on the Nucleus device, you can have your audiologist put the 2 best programs on the processor (the same program). If one of the programs get zapped due to static, you can use the second program as a back up until you can get to the audiologist for the processor to be re-mapped.

Other tricks I use are to spray a solution that is half fabric softener and half water on the carpets on days that seem static filled. Also, his clothes are washed with fabric softener and dried with fabric sheets. And lastly, in the morning on his dry hair I rub a little bit of secret weapon anti-frizz in his hair, because it locks in moisture.

The Harness

Where to place the processor is an issue many parents of young children are faced with. Personally, we didn't like the harness supplied by Cochlear Corp. We didn't like the idea of the processor being on his back because it seemed to be in the way. We do, however, use this harness at night after his bath when he is in his pajamas because it is easy to remove and he can't reach the equipment on his back. During the day, however, we use a harness that was made for us. It is cotton diaper backing against his skin and a little stiffer material (60%cotton, 40% polyester) on the outside (it holds up better), with velcro used as closure. The pocket rests under his arm. This doesn't get in the way at all and he never touches it because it is under his clothes. We had them made in all different colors to match what he is wearing (even though you don't really see it, sometimes the shoulder straps are visible). It seems very comfortable and he doesn't mind it at all (it crosses in the back).

Batteries

The Ni-Cd batteries that came with Jacob's equipment were not for us. The batteries had to be discharged all of the way, and we didn't always hear the beep when the batteries died. We went to Radio Shack and got 12 Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, and a charger. We numbered them 1-12 with a permanent marker. They do not have to be completely discharged. I change them every morning and charge a set at night, rotating the 12 batteries. This has worked well for us, because the batteries could last a day and a half. However, because they don't have to be discharged, they don't have to run out before you can charge them.

Equipment

I now carry a spare part of everything except the processor itself, including the lapel mic and testing earphones, in a bubble bag in my purse/diaper bag. This has worked well. There were a few instances where Jacob had a shorted wire or something happened to his coil while we were out, and it ruined my time and racked me with guilt. Carrying around spare parts at all times has alleviated this situation. I also now know when Jacob starts to behave badly for no apparent reason, to check the equipment first. When his equipment fails or a wire shorts, it is frustrating for him, and he is not old enough to tell us something is wrong. Usually there is an equipment problem for unexplained behavior problems.

Another trick we have found was using steri-strips to tape the coil to the wire. Those coils come off so easily, especially with a 21 month old who likes to pull it off. Then the 2 little holes get worn and bigger, and $80 down the drain. So now I use the steri-strips (you have to get them from a doctor, they are really intended to tape skin together after a wound), I tape them together, and I color it brown with permanent marker so it is not noticeable.

Tricks for the magnet

There were many little tricks that I used at the beginning, when he was too little to really sit up well and wasn't walking, to keep his magnet on. The 3 places it fell off the most were his stroller, his car seat, and his high chair. The stroller is better now that he sits forward more.

The car seat is still a problem. When he has days that he plays with it a lot, I just take it off and tuck it into the back of his shirt while we are driving (he has broken coils in the car).

The high chair was hard. His implant was on the right, so we put his food on the left side of the tray. This caused him to look to the left, and made it so he didn't rub the magnet too much on the back of the chair.

Guilt

Okay, personally, I should not be giving advice on guilt since I always feel guilty when something goes wrong. But intellectually, I can say, you have to try to remember you can't be perfect all of the time. Sometimes a battery may run out because you forgot to change it and then you didn't notice it ran out. Or a wire can short out and you didn't notice and your child spends the day throwing off thier processor or kicking chairs (this happened with Jacob for an entire day), and you cry because you made him put it back on 100 times before you thought "hmm, maybe there is a problem". And sometimes they don't get as much therapy as they should because you were frazzled or distracted. That happens, and goes with the territory. I try to take hot baths at the end of days like that.

Gratitude

To balance out the guilt, I try to remember to be grateful. Even though this equipment has it's downfalls, I am so thankful to have it! And I know Jacob will live a more enriching life because of it.