A Tune, Snatches Of Words, and Bells

It has been 24 days since I had my cochlear implant "activated." Today I went shopping for some Christmas decorations and small gifts. I went to a Pier One Imports store.  When I went inside, Christmas music was playing, and I recognized the tune before the lyrics - the tune was " Jingle Bells," and I distinctly heard the words, "Jingle Bells," and ..."all the way," and for the first time since activation, it sounded somewhat like music.  How about that?

Next, I went into a Barnes and Noble bookstore to buy some books. I had a little trouble understanding the cashier when she asked if I wanted to donate a Christmas book for a promotion they were doing. She was talking a bit too fast for me to lipread, although I heard her talking. I asked her to repeat what she said. That tells me while I am listening with my cochlear implant, understanding speech is still challenging. It really is a day to day experience.  Speech is sounding more "normal," to me, again, depending on who I talk to, and less echoey. People's voices are sounding more human, and less like hearing someone talk underwater.

I bought a silver wreath made of bells that jingle from Williams-Sonoma, and hung the wreath on the door leading to my basement. Since the TV is down there, as well as my laundry room, the door wreath will "jingle" every time that door is opened. Years ago, I bought a door ornament with bells that you hang on your door. I will hang that on the inside of my front door.

I misplaced my Christmas CD's. I am looking for the CD's. I especially want to listen to a Christmas CD that was recorded by N'Sync when they were a popular group. I loved listening to the harmony of their songs. I also want to play a Christmas CD or two by Amy Grant. I have been an Amy Grant fan since she first started singing. I'm curious to hear what the CD's sound like now. I also like Michael W. Smith. There are other Christian rock groups I listen to as well.

I even picked up Jackie Evancho's new CD. I know she sings really high notes, but I want to see if I can hear high frequencies at all. I think I am hearing some things at high frequencies, but I have to have someone identify that particular sound "flavor," because I  won't always recognize the sound.

Still, when I think back to my last encounter with a cashier in a Barnes and Noble bookstore, before my cochlear implant surgery, to where I am now, post-cochlear implant and post-activation, this is progress!