Clinical Trial Update:
Apologies for being so tardy, as I know everyone has been waiting for a 2nd opinion on the SoundBite.
First off, I do not have a tinnitus issue, so I cannot advise on it.
I have 1 more week of the trial & I guess I am not completely SOLD. Advances are being made everyday on the product & I think I would reconsider if the ITM piece were smaller. It originally started as a real wire retainer similar to the dental one. It's official, I do not have a "Big Mouth"
The dentist said he knew this would be an issue. I also have a ridge on the top of my roof (forgot the official name), in the center, that protrudes like a mountain. In most people, the roof is relatively flat or concave. This has been causing the ITM to rub on the inside of my mouth making long-time wearing uncomfortable. I still cannot eat comfortably w/the ITM (soft bread is easiest), & I still bite on the wire when closing my teeth. I believe my teeth have been drilled down in back to accommodate for my small palate.
I had to have 2 more ITM pieces made as the two I had broke in different places. The first one they remade according to the initial design. It still feels uncomfortable & big in my mouth, the second, was redesigned slightly to fit my mouth better. It is my favorite ITM out of the two, but I still hit the wire & is uncomfortable when I eat. I am also currently experiencing increased feedback in my new ITM which hasn't been there the first 2 weeks.
Overall:
I do miss the SoundBite when I am not wearing it. I notice that I cannot hear as well, & locating my toddler is more difficult. I thought I would be perfect for the Soundbite since I do not work in a big city or office environment, however I still find it a bit cumbersome. A big advantage for me would be able to eat at a restaurant w/the piece in, however, I still cannot do it. I'm thinking I would still rather have a hole in my head.
Sound has been good in a noisy gym w/lots of children & at a noisy daycare.
Hearing a creek w/running water has been a more pleasureable experience on my SSD side.
Low talkers are still hard to hear.
Wearing an iPod isn't as closed off as it used to be. I can still monitor the environment around.
It has been a detrement at bigger functions. All you can eat Crab Feed, it did not work well, as well as Superbowl w/all the good food around. I was constantly taking the piece in & out. I can see you could lose it pretty easy.
Ever hear how the Indians would put a pebble in their mouths while going long distances to keep their saliva going? That's what it reminds me of when I go for a run & pretty much all the time. It is comfortable in the mouth, but I definitely know it is there. I can converse comfortably with it in.
I think there are still some bugs in the device, however if they can yet make it even smaller & can fix the feedback issue I would reconsider. It has been a great experience to be able to try it out before purchasing.
If I've missed any points, please post questions.
Thanks,
Carolyn
