fine tuning/company rep.

Deep sigh... here is the bad news. I got a letter in the mail today... my insurance company denied my approval for the second implant. I know that we will go through the appeal process (it isn't over 'til it is over and I haven't given up), and I hope that approach will work. I don't know what my reps at the Cleveland clinic will do, but my audiologist and I already discussed the chance that if it were denied, we would push forth with an appeal. I know I sound idealistic, but I have seen time and time again God's timing in my life and I have to take stock that HE hasn't been wrong yet nor will HE ever. That is a hard admission for a self-professed control freak. I want things to happen when I want them to happen....

I had a really neat opportunity to meet with my audiologist and a representative from Advanced Bionics today. I think it was a learning process for all of us. I know she answered questions for Joyce (my audiologist) and I was able to describe some things to them and they problem-solved together. One neat thing was that I was hooked up to the computer and I played my flute some... they were able to see how the processor was reading the information. Joyce was shocked at how loud a flute can be!

I got my f.m. system to where I think it will benefit me in the classroom if I need it...I know that the noisy time when students are entering and exiting my room and a student wants to talk with me one on one or in a car or a restaurant are all places that I will benefit the most from it. I may be underestimating how much I will use it, but I have already made a promise to myself to not use it at home with my family... I don't want to be as dependent on it as I was before.

I was really excited when the representative from AB mentioned they may be interested in my input... they are based out of California and quite frankly there aren't many trained musicians with implants in this world. She was going to pass my information on to the people who work with the musical aspect of the implants. We also talked about other opportunities, such as being a mentor to an implant candidate (via email) or being what she called a diplomat, giving testimonial for the company and being able to travel a bit.

I feel like my implants(you receive two...a back up as well) are better suited for my needs after today's session and I would be happy to share my experiences and input with the company or candidates alike. If the opportunity presents itself, I would love it.

As far as the denial today from the insurance company, I have never been one to give up. I certainly wouldn't be teaching music today if I had a defeatist attitude. I had some terrible direction from some of my superiors several years ago at my school system... and that was to quit and pursue a different area of teaching. Fortunately, I didn't feel I could quit. I am so glad I didn't. I won't give up with one insurance denial. But, surely if you are out there and care about me, please say a little prayer. I do feel my hearing could be drastically changed for the better with a second implant. It is what I pray for.