I'm with my younger sister and her family. We had a lot of fun yesterday. Some of us wanted to sleep in, but some other family relatives were simply too excited to let us sleep past 7 in the morning.
So I trotted into the kitchen and prepared coffee. My brother in law left to go get his mother, who lives 15 minutes away. A short time later, she arrived and I asked her if she would like coffee. She happily accepted and I prepared two very strong cups of Columbian coffee for us.
As the kids excitedly opened their Christmas presents and chattered on, I sliced up some Italian sweetbread, cinnamon coffee cake, and put out some dried fruit on a plate, and brought that into the living room and passed the plate around.
It was definitely a noisy Christmas gathering. We all had attended Christmas Eve services the previous night and the adults were in bed by 1:30 AM after last minute Christmas preparations. It was a treat for me to hear familar Christmas hymns out of both ears. It felt more like Thanksgiving to me than Christmas. I am just so thankful to be hearing out of both ears.
Friends came over for dessert and a word game that was hysterically funny to play. I had to quit the game after a while because I was getting tired after a long festive day. I went to bed by 11 PM, only to joyfully be awakened by a black and white bundle of fur who insisted I get up and entertain her. The puppy was relentless.
Today has been cold and rainy. At times it was heavy. I could hear the rain coming down. I spent most of the morning trying to entertain a stir-crazy 10 month old border collie named Nellie. I could hear her playful growl as we played tug of war with a tennis ball and and a rubber squeaky bone. When Nellie figured out that she wasn't going outside anytime soon, she settled down somewhat. Nellie is funny, though. She is the perfect family dog for five very energetic nieces and nephews.
My brother in law, five of my nieces and nephews have been playing with a new family gift -a computerized entertainment game. It has been a noisy day. My sister took an extra shift at work for a veterinarian who had a death in the family December 22nd.
My sister just walked in. More hearing adventures later.
What a blessing to have bionic ears!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Medical Procedures and Cochlear Implants
Tuesday I had to go to the hospital to have two medical procedures done requiring anesthesia. A friend drove me to the hospital as I wasn't permitted to drive home afterwards. Prior to my medical procedures, I had filled out an online history, and had an interview with a nurse over the telephone. This was my first medical procedure as a bilateral cochlear implant recipient.
The nurse who interviewed me was really concerned how the medical staff was going to alert me to wake up after the procedure. I explained that I would be wearing my cochlear implant processors, and that I lipread well, and communication shouldn't be an issue.
I told this to my friend who was really amused. She asked me, "Mindy, when you had hearing aids and had to take them off to sleep, how did people wake you up?" I shook her shoulder in response. She laughed. Well, I have to take off my cochlear implant processors to go to sleep at night, so I use alternative methods to wake myself up.
When my friend and I arrived, I was wearing my freestyle cochlear implant processors clipped to my hair. I went through the registration process. I was asked to verify in writing that I was deaf, did not need a sign language interpreter or "special devices" as an accommodation. I again explained that I was a bilateral cochlear implant recipient and that communication shouldn't be an issue. The hospital employee asked me to indicate that I lipread. To her credit, she told me that if she talked too fast, to let her know. I thanked her.
I had to remove my glasses, so lipreading was challenging as faces were fuzzy. However, I had little problem appropriately responding to the questions and conversation. I kept the cochlear implant processors on. I wish I had thought to secure the headpieces with first aid tape before I lay on my left side and was anesthesized. It would have been interesting to experience hearing conversations under anesthesia.
When I was in recovery, I secured the headpieces to the magnets, and could hear again.
I had no issues with communication, and went through the procedures with flying colors.
My friend drove me home, and I watched a tv program and the news. I decided to go take a nap as I was cold (a common reaction for me). I slept for five hours.
I decided to look at my discharge folder and patient record. To my great amusement, there was a yellow label all across the folder with the universal sign for "hearing impairment." Inside the folder was a post-it sticky note that said in black Sharpie pen lettering, "Speech impediment" please speak slowly and carefully."
I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I am not old enough to be on Medicare, Social Security, and I am still gainfully employed full time. You would think I was on the high side of a 100, or, had suffered some neurological event, such as a stroke which impaired my speech.
As it is the Christmas Season, I probably should have had a neon sign which read:
NEWSFLASH: Patient is a bilateral cochlear implant recipient who wears CI processors, allowing her to hear. She doesn't use sign language, speaks articulately, is readily understood, lipreads well, and isn't elderly.
In my view, medical personnel need to be educated about cochlear implants, beginning with the fact that a cochlear implant is not a hearing aid, doesn't amplify sound.
Maybe I should volunteer my services to the hospital...
Now there's a thought.
The nurse who interviewed me was really concerned how the medical staff was going to alert me to wake up after the procedure. I explained that I would be wearing my cochlear implant processors, and that I lipread well, and communication shouldn't be an issue.
I told this to my friend who was really amused. She asked me, "Mindy, when you had hearing aids and had to take them off to sleep, how did people wake you up?" I shook her shoulder in response. She laughed. Well, I have to take off my cochlear implant processors to go to sleep at night, so I use alternative methods to wake myself up.
When my friend and I arrived, I was wearing my freestyle cochlear implant processors clipped to my hair. I went through the registration process. I was asked to verify in writing that I was deaf, did not need a sign language interpreter or "special devices" as an accommodation. I again explained that I was a bilateral cochlear implant recipient and that communication shouldn't be an issue. The hospital employee asked me to indicate that I lipread. To her credit, she told me that if she talked too fast, to let her know. I thanked her.
I had to remove my glasses, so lipreading was challenging as faces were fuzzy. However, I had little problem appropriately responding to the questions and conversation. I kept the cochlear implant processors on. I wish I had thought to secure the headpieces with first aid tape before I lay on my left side and was anesthesized. It would have been interesting to experience hearing conversations under anesthesia.
When I was in recovery, I secured the headpieces to the magnets, and could hear again.
I had no issues with communication, and went through the procedures with flying colors.
My friend drove me home, and I watched a tv program and the news. I decided to go take a nap as I was cold (a common reaction for me). I slept for five hours.
I decided to look at my discharge folder and patient record. To my great amusement, there was a yellow label all across the folder with the universal sign for "hearing impairment." Inside the folder was a post-it sticky note that said in black Sharpie pen lettering, "Speech impediment" please speak slowly and carefully."
I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I am not old enough to be on Medicare, Social Security, and I am still gainfully employed full time. You would think I was on the high side of a 100, or, had suffered some neurological event, such as a stroke which impaired my speech.
As it is the Christmas Season, I probably should have had a neon sign which read:
NEWSFLASH: Patient is a bilateral cochlear implant recipient who wears CI processors, allowing her to hear. She doesn't use sign language, speaks articulately, is readily understood, lipreads well, and isn't elderly.
In my view, medical personnel need to be educated about cochlear implants, beginning with the fact that a cochlear implant is not a hearing aid, doesn't amplify sound.
Maybe I should volunteer my services to the hospital...
Now there's a thought.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Cochlear Implants and Speech
I asked my younger sister if my speech had changed. She said it was changing. Hearing people have told me that my voice has changed since receiving cochlear implants. I knew Heather Whitestone McCallum, the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss America, had been implanted with cochlear implants about twelve years ago. I found a commercial she had filmed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on line and listened to her speech. She sounded just like a hearing person.
That was very encouraging to me. I know it is possible for a person's voice to change after a lifetime of being deaf after cochlear implant surgery. I don't know if Heather went through any speech therapy after receiving cochlear implants.
Adults who have either been deaf for years or late-deafened usually do not receive speech therapy, unless an adult has had speech affected by a stroke or some other medical event.
I think that is a mistake. I wish health insurance companies would invest in speech therapy for adults who have received cochlear implants.
Babies and children who have been implanted with cochlear implants receive speech therapy.
I can hear "sh," and "k" and "ch," and don't have any issues following conversations. It can be challenging in noisy environments, but I am getting better at it. I still have captions on the television, but I am listening to the conversations on the television and do not rely on captioning as much.
I still listen to talk radio. I am recognizing sentences now. I haven't reached the point where I can listen to a discussion in its entirety on talk radio yet.
People still make the mistake of talking louder with me, and that comes from habit. Cochlear Implants don't amplify sound. Hearing Aids do that.
This is my third Christmas hearing with a cochlear implant, and my first Christmas as a bilateral cochlear implant recipient. It is so nice to be able to hear with two cochlear implants.
Hearing with two cochlear implants continues to be a blessing. I am extraordinarily blessed.
That was very encouraging to me. I know it is possible for a person's voice to change after a lifetime of being deaf after cochlear implant surgery. I don't know if Heather went through any speech therapy after receiving cochlear implants.
Adults who have either been deaf for years or late-deafened usually do not receive speech therapy, unless an adult has had speech affected by a stroke or some other medical event.
I think that is a mistake. I wish health insurance companies would invest in speech therapy for adults who have received cochlear implants.
Babies and children who have been implanted with cochlear implants receive speech therapy.
I can hear "sh," and "k" and "ch," and don't have any issues following conversations. It can be challenging in noisy environments, but I am getting better at it. I still have captions on the television, but I am listening to the conversations on the television and do not rely on captioning as much.
I still listen to talk radio. I am recognizing sentences now. I haven't reached the point where I can listen to a discussion in its entirety on talk radio yet.
People still make the mistake of talking louder with me, and that comes from habit. Cochlear Implants don't amplify sound. Hearing Aids do that.
This is my third Christmas hearing with a cochlear implant, and my first Christmas as a bilateral cochlear implant recipient. It is so nice to be able to hear with two cochlear implants.
Hearing with two cochlear implants continues to be a blessing. I am extraordinarily blessed.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Thanksgiving 2012
I spent Thanksgiving with my younger sister, her husband, five of my nieces and nephews, and their paternal grandmother.
When I first arrived, I went to the animal hospital where my sister has a private veterinary practice. I greeted the veterinary staff, and went around the back. I could hear a dog barking in the background, a long haired Chihuahua.
I greeted my sister and the other staff. A cat wandered over to greet me.
When I went back around to the desk in the front of the hospital entrance, I met a beautiful well behaved dog, a Dalmatian who I first thought was a stuffed dog, much to the amusement of the veterinary staff. I was assured me the dog was quite real. Her name is Cassie, and I saw her ears perk up. I went over and greeted this beautiful dog, who gently kissed me. I asked if Cassie was deaf, and the staff said no. Cassie is a dog who stays at the veterinary practice during the day and then her owner comes and picks her up. My sister then left to pick up one of her daughters from school, and I told her I'd meet her at the house.
My sister set a beautiful table. Her mother in law made sweet potatoes, pecan pie and a roast pork shoulder that was beyond delicious. We had that along with turkey and some side dishes.
I could follow the conversation around the Thanksgiving dinner table. I could follow conversations and participate. My younger sister only had to repeat one word the entire visit when I misunderstood something someone said.
We each went around the table and said one thing we were thankful for. I said I was thankful for my surgeon who implanted cochlear implants so I could have the gift of hearing, and thankful for hearing bilaterally with two cochlear implants.
My sister's family has a nine month old border collie puppy, who joyfully adopted me. She brought over a squeaky toy that looked like an octopus, and we played some tug of war. She has a deep bark that is huge for her size! She also joyfully greeted me each morning with a face full of kisses. It was nice to get acquainted with a puppy who loves you back unconditionally. My sister says the puppy hasn't yet met a stranger she did not like.
I listened to my 14 year old niece play and sing on her guitar. I listened to all the electronic beeps, boops, and sounds coming from the TV, computers, as they played Wii and other computer games. I watched my other 14 year old niece play with the puppy, and I could her her playful growl as she played her favorite game with my niece.
I had an intelligent conversation with my brother in law and could respond appropriately without misunderstanding what he said.
While outside, I could hear the twittering of flocks of birds as they flew south on their journey before wintry cold weather returned.
This was the first time I made the journey to my sister's home with two cochlear implants and while I did not enjoy driving in busy interstate traffic during the first leg of the journey, I did just fine.
It was a good visit. I got to see how my sister's children have grown. One niece is taller than I am!
Hearing bilaterally with two cochlear implant processors is priceless. I continue to be thankful for my many blessings.
I am still a deaf person who chooses to hear with cochlear implants. My hearing journey and acquiring new "soundflavorings," continues. The difference is, I no longer struggle to hear when I put on my cochlear implant processors.
So, once again, I give thanks.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
A Month of Thankfulness
This is a month of Thankfulness, as a good friend put it. Thanksgiving will soon be here once again.
I recently learned that my CI surgeon is leaving the hospital where I had my CI surgeries and moving on. It will be a big loss for the hospital, and I feel so privleged and blessed to have had this internationally famous doctor and to have been his patient.
I have several friends who are having birthdays this month. Earlier I was in a store looking through birthday cards and thank you cards. Not one card seemed to convey "thank you," to my wonderful surgeon. I am so thankful he was able to do both my CI surgeries, and that my recovery in both instances went a lot smoother than I expected.
I did the next best thing. I composed a letter of thanks to him. I could not have looked into a Crystal Ball in October, 2010, and envisioned how dramatically my life would change.
I am so thankful for the gift of cochlear implants and bilateral hearing. I am so blessed my younger sister was able to be with me during both CI surgeries, taking time away from her family to be with me.
I am so thankful that both of my sisters were able to be with me during Activation Day, November 2010.
I am thankful for my many new friends within the cochlear implanted community all of whom I consider my extended family.
I am thankful for each and every opportunity I have to give back to people who are considering cochlear implants, have met candidacy requirements for cochlear implants, and guiding them on their own journey in hearing.
I am thankful for employment, food, water, clothing, reliable transportation, a roof over my head, health insurance, the ability to pay my bills in full every month, friends and family.
I am thankful to the person who invented cochlear implants, and who is still alive today to bear witness to the fact that cochlear implants have changed lives, mine among them.
I am thankful for my wonderful and capable audiologist, who has been patient with me during our mapping sessions. I still call them "tweaking sessions."
I am thankful that with the cochlear implant processors on, I can hear.
I am thankful that I can share my blessings with people who are truly in need.
I am thankful for an enriched and improved quality of life because of cochlear implants and bilateral hearing.
Hearing with two cochlear implants continues to be a priceless gift, and I continue to reap blessings in my Hearing Journey.
Here's wishing everyone abundant blessings and grace this Thanksgiving.
I recently learned that my CI surgeon is leaving the hospital where I had my CI surgeries and moving on. It will be a big loss for the hospital, and I feel so privleged and blessed to have had this internationally famous doctor and to have been his patient.
I have several friends who are having birthdays this month. Earlier I was in a store looking through birthday cards and thank you cards. Not one card seemed to convey "thank you," to my wonderful surgeon. I am so thankful he was able to do both my CI surgeries, and that my recovery in both instances went a lot smoother than I expected.
I did the next best thing. I composed a letter of thanks to him. I could not have looked into a Crystal Ball in October, 2010, and envisioned how dramatically my life would change.
I am so thankful for the gift of cochlear implants and bilateral hearing. I am so blessed my younger sister was able to be with me during both CI surgeries, taking time away from her family to be with me.
I am so thankful that both of my sisters were able to be with me during Activation Day, November 2010.
I am thankful for my many new friends within the cochlear implanted community all of whom I consider my extended family.
I am thankful for each and every opportunity I have to give back to people who are considering cochlear implants, have met candidacy requirements for cochlear implants, and guiding them on their own journey in hearing.
I am thankful for employment, food, water, clothing, reliable transportation, a roof over my head, health insurance, the ability to pay my bills in full every month, friends and family.
I am thankful to the person who invented cochlear implants, and who is still alive today to bear witness to the fact that cochlear implants have changed lives, mine among them.
I am thankful for my wonderful and capable audiologist, who has been patient with me during our mapping sessions. I still call them "tweaking sessions."
I am thankful that with the cochlear implant processors on, I can hear.
I am thankful that I can share my blessings with people who are truly in need.
I am thankful for an enriched and improved quality of life because of cochlear implants and bilateral hearing.
Hearing with two cochlear implants continues to be a priceless gift, and I continue to reap blessings in my Hearing Journey.
Here's wishing everyone abundant blessings and grace this Thanksgiving.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Bionic Ears and an Anniversary
Two years ago on October 12, 2010, I took a huge leap of faith and walked into the operating room, accompanied by my surgical team, for cochlear implantation surgery. I was so calm. I was totally in the zone and fearless. I had placed my faith in God, my surgical team, and my very talented surgeon, trusting that the cochlear implant would work.
Today I think in terms of My Life Before The Cochlear Implants and My Life After The Cochlear Implants. Today, I have two cochlear implants, having been implanted in my right ear on February 29th of this year.
Years ago there used to be a show called the Bionic Woman. She had a totally bionic body. Well, I have Bionic Ears. Some deaf people think of people who have been implanted with cochlear implants, as having robotic ears. Well, two years later, hearing with cochlear implants don't sound robotic at all. They never did.
Here's the really cool thing about Bionic Ears. We recently had a fire drill at the building where I work. We were outside, waiting to be called in. It was noisy, listening to traffic sounds, people chattering. In the midst of all this, I heard a squeaking high pitched sound. I turned to the person standing next to me and asked if she heard a bird or a squeaking sound. She replied no.
I stood, listening. Something told me to look up and straight ahead. Well, the squeaking sound was the sound of a window washer's squeegee, squeaking against the glass window, several floors up and two blocks away! I could hear that "squeak," in spite of traffic noises and people chattering. I was amused.
How's THAT for Bionic Ears?? Pretty cool, huh?
I also am part of a growing community of people who have been implanted with cochlear implants. Some members were born deaf, became deaf as infants, toddlers, children, teenagers, and as adults. Some lost their hearing quite suddenly and without warning. Whatever our hearing history, we chose a life enhanced by cochlear implants.
My journey to better hearing with cochlear implants has been one exhilarating ride. Oh, there have been bumps and setbacks along the way. The positives of cochlear implants have far outweighed any negatives.
I have made and met so many new friends and who I consider family. We have people who are grandparents, married, widowed, divorced, separated, single, straight, gay, and we are a diverse group. Some live as far away as the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait. We are definitely a global community, and we are many.
Every day there are people who have decided to be implanted with cochlear implants and seek advice, support, and yes, affirmation that this choice is the right decision for them. Many of us are volunteer mentors. I am one of them.
Just the other day, I read a post from a "newbie," who had just been activated. His question made me laugh. He asked when the "jello brain," would go away.
Hearing with cochlear implants is NOT like hearing with a hearing aid. FAR from it. One of the biggest shocks upon activation, or shortly thereafter, is the discovery that hearing with a cochlear implant is a "brain thing."
I had a "tweaking" session with my audiologist last Thursday. She just returned from maternity leave. I reminded her that it had been nearly two years since my first cochlear implant surgery. We talked a bit about the progress I have made. We talked about my mistakes. We did some more tweaking. I asked questions.
I am blessed with FOUR cochlear implant processors. For me, that's HUGE.
When I wore hearing aids, every time one would go out, I would be deaf again in one ear, unless I was lucky to wear a loaner that was strong enough for my hearing loss.
One set of cochlear implant processors is worn behind the ear and is water-resistant. I don't have to clap my hands over my ears in order to keep my cochlear implant processors dry if it starts to sprinkle. I find that I still do that as a force of habit!
The second set of cochlear implant processors is totally, completely waterproof! No hands needed! I can wear these processors totally off the ears. I can clip them to my clothing, my hair. I can wear arm bands, and a headband and clip the processors on that way.
I just get giddy, thinking about the choices I have with my Bionic Ears! I can listen to music on my iPod Nano. I can listen to music on my iPhone. I can listen to talk radio, although I do not yet understand all of it, I am recognizing sentences. For someone who tested with zero speech discrimination in August 2010, that is a HUGE improvement.
If I choose to, I can take a water aerobics class at a indoor pool facility and hear the instructions of the water aerobics instructor with my waterproof cochlear implant processors.
My world post cochlear implants has changed so much. I think back to August 18, 2010, when I knew I met candidacy requirements for cochlear implants. Barbara, a nurse, told me that cochlear implants would change my life. I understood that in a intellectual way, but still was clueless!
Yes, cochlear implants has definitely changed my life, and for the better.
So here's to many more years of bilateral hearing with cochlear implants!
I am blessed beyond measure, and my life is richer because of a choice I made on October 12, 2010.
Here's a thank you to my surgeon, whose skilled hands and talent gave me hearing, aided by cochlear implants, which I thought was lost to me forever.
No longer do I have to be told, "You can't do that because you are deaf."
The possibilities are endless with Bionic Ears!
Today I think in terms of My Life Before The Cochlear Implants and My Life After The Cochlear Implants. Today, I have two cochlear implants, having been implanted in my right ear on February 29th of this year.
Years ago there used to be a show called the Bionic Woman. She had a totally bionic body. Well, I have Bionic Ears. Some deaf people think of people who have been implanted with cochlear implants, as having robotic ears. Well, two years later, hearing with cochlear implants don't sound robotic at all. They never did.
Here's the really cool thing about Bionic Ears. We recently had a fire drill at the building where I work. We were outside, waiting to be called in. It was noisy, listening to traffic sounds, people chattering. In the midst of all this, I heard a squeaking high pitched sound. I turned to the person standing next to me and asked if she heard a bird or a squeaking sound. She replied no.
I stood, listening. Something told me to look up and straight ahead. Well, the squeaking sound was the sound of a window washer's squeegee, squeaking against the glass window, several floors up and two blocks away! I could hear that "squeak," in spite of traffic noises and people chattering. I was amused.
How's THAT for Bionic Ears?? Pretty cool, huh?
I also am part of a growing community of people who have been implanted with cochlear implants. Some members were born deaf, became deaf as infants, toddlers, children, teenagers, and as adults. Some lost their hearing quite suddenly and without warning. Whatever our hearing history, we chose a life enhanced by cochlear implants.
My journey to better hearing with cochlear implants has been one exhilarating ride. Oh, there have been bumps and setbacks along the way. The positives of cochlear implants have far outweighed any negatives.
I have made and met so many new friends and who I consider family. We have people who are grandparents, married, widowed, divorced, separated, single, straight, gay, and we are a diverse group. Some live as far away as the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait. We are definitely a global community, and we are many.
Every day there are people who have decided to be implanted with cochlear implants and seek advice, support, and yes, affirmation that this choice is the right decision for them. Many of us are volunteer mentors. I am one of them.
Just the other day, I read a post from a "newbie," who had just been activated. His question made me laugh. He asked when the "jello brain," would go away.
Hearing with cochlear implants is NOT like hearing with a hearing aid. FAR from it. One of the biggest shocks upon activation, or shortly thereafter, is the discovery that hearing with a cochlear implant is a "brain thing."
I had a "tweaking" session with my audiologist last Thursday. She just returned from maternity leave. I reminded her that it had been nearly two years since my first cochlear implant surgery. We talked a bit about the progress I have made. We talked about my mistakes. We did some more tweaking. I asked questions.
I am blessed with FOUR cochlear implant processors. For me, that's HUGE.
When I wore hearing aids, every time one would go out, I would be deaf again in one ear, unless I was lucky to wear a loaner that was strong enough for my hearing loss.
One set of cochlear implant processors is worn behind the ear and is water-resistant. I don't have to clap my hands over my ears in order to keep my cochlear implant processors dry if it starts to sprinkle. I find that I still do that as a force of habit!
The second set of cochlear implant processors is totally, completely waterproof! No hands needed! I can wear these processors totally off the ears. I can clip them to my clothing, my hair. I can wear arm bands, and a headband and clip the processors on that way.
I just get giddy, thinking about the choices I have with my Bionic Ears! I can listen to music on my iPod Nano. I can listen to music on my iPhone. I can listen to talk radio, although I do not yet understand all of it, I am recognizing sentences. For someone who tested with zero speech discrimination in August 2010, that is a HUGE improvement.
If I choose to, I can take a water aerobics class at a indoor pool facility and hear the instructions of the water aerobics instructor with my waterproof cochlear implant processors.
My world post cochlear implants has changed so much. I think back to August 18, 2010, when I knew I met candidacy requirements for cochlear implants. Barbara, a nurse, told me that cochlear implants would change my life. I understood that in a intellectual way, but still was clueless!
Yes, cochlear implants has definitely changed my life, and for the better.
So here's to many more years of bilateral hearing with cochlear implants!
I am blessed beyond measure, and my life is richer because of a choice I made on October 12, 2010.
Here's a thank you to my surgeon, whose skilled hands and talent gave me hearing, aided by cochlear implants, which I thought was lost to me forever.
No longer do I have to be told, "You can't do that because you are deaf."
The possibilities are endless with Bionic Ears!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Are People who get Cochlear Implants Freaks or Serial Killers?
Last night I watched an episode of Criminal Minds titled, "The Silencer." It first aired on the CBS Network on September 27, 2012. I watched the episode on the computer on the CBS Network page.
Sadly, like other episodes aired on American Television on various networks, it implied that people who have cochlear implants "forced" on them are freaks. Worse, the actor who played a man who was born deaf on this episode was also portrayed as a Serial Killer.
The man's face drooped, and his right eye bulged. The incision behind his ear (depicting cochlear implant surgery) frankly looked like an incompetent surgeon had done the surgery with an ax.
The implicit message was this. People who get cochlear implants are freaks.
All sorts of horrible things go wrong when you undergo cochlear implant surgery.
You can't turn off the implant. NEWSFLASH: When you remove the cochlear implant processor, turn the volume dial down, remove the battery, you hear
SILENCE.
I am a proud bilateral recipient of cochlear implants. The incisions behind my ears were beautifully done and you have to bend my ears to see the evidence of cochlear implant surgery.
My face isn't drooping. I wear my cochlear implant processors with joy and pride. I am a member of a growing community of cochlear implanted recipients. I don't consider myself a freak, and I am certainly not a Serial Killer because I received two cochlear implants, one for each ear.
All surgery carries risk. Including Cochlear Implant Surgery.
Today, cochlear implant surgeries are done in accredited hospitals by surgeons who are well trained in cochlear implant surgery. Cochlear Implant research and the technology have come so far since cochlear implants were first invented in 1957 and were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States in the 1980's.
I am a volunteer mentor to individuals who are candidates for cochlear implants and/or have just received a cochlear implant. I will advocate for anyone who qualifies and desires to experience the benefits of cochlear implants.
The decision to get the cochlear implants was 100% mine. Nobody forced me into getting cochlear implants. I was already so deaf in April, 2010, I tested within the physical limits of the audiometer. I had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by going through cochlear implant surgery. Hearing Aids were no longer helping me with speech discrimination.
Here is my reality: Today, I hear far better with cochlear implants than I ever did with hearing aids.
I'm still deaf when I remove my cochlear implant processors at night. Cochlear Implants don't "cure" deafness, but when I wear my Cochlear Implant processors, I can once again hear.
CBS, by choosing to air an episode (in order to get ratings for the show Criminal Minds) insulted every dedicated surgeon, doctor, scientist, researcher, nurse, audiologist, speech therapist, teacher for the deaf, dedicated families, friends, and communities who advocate for the gift of hearing.
That is exactly what cochlear implants are for me, a gift. It is a gift that has changed my life so profoundly, it is hard to put it into words. It is a gift which gives me joy every day, gladdens my heart, my spirit, my soul, and allows me to experience hearing through wonderful technology.
I refuse to allow such bigotry, misinformation, and blatant abuse of freedom of "dramatic license," steal my joy in being a bilateral cochlear implant recipient.
Hearing with two cochlear implants continues to bless me each and every day.
I have absolutely no regrets in my decision to undergo cochlear implant surgery. None. I would undergo cochlear implantation surgery again in a heartbeat.
Sadly, like other episodes aired on American Television on various networks, it implied that people who have cochlear implants "forced" on them are freaks. Worse, the actor who played a man who was born deaf on this episode was also portrayed as a Serial Killer.
The man's face drooped, and his right eye bulged. The incision behind his ear (depicting cochlear implant surgery) frankly looked like an incompetent surgeon had done the surgery with an ax.
The implicit message was this. People who get cochlear implants are freaks.
All sorts of horrible things go wrong when you undergo cochlear implant surgery.
You can't turn off the implant. NEWSFLASH: When you remove the cochlear implant processor, turn the volume dial down, remove the battery, you hear
SILENCE.
I am a proud bilateral recipient of cochlear implants. The incisions behind my ears were beautifully done and you have to bend my ears to see the evidence of cochlear implant surgery.
My face isn't drooping. I wear my cochlear implant processors with joy and pride. I am a member of a growing community of cochlear implanted recipients. I don't consider myself a freak, and I am certainly not a Serial Killer because I received two cochlear implants, one for each ear.
All surgery carries risk. Including Cochlear Implant Surgery.
Today, cochlear implant surgeries are done in accredited hospitals by surgeons who are well trained in cochlear implant surgery. Cochlear Implant research and the technology have come so far since cochlear implants were first invented in 1957 and were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States in the 1980's.
I am a volunteer mentor to individuals who are candidates for cochlear implants and/or have just received a cochlear implant. I will advocate for anyone who qualifies and desires to experience the benefits of cochlear implants.
The decision to get the cochlear implants was 100% mine. Nobody forced me into getting cochlear implants. I was already so deaf in April, 2010, I tested within the physical limits of the audiometer. I had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by going through cochlear implant surgery. Hearing Aids were no longer helping me with speech discrimination.
Here is my reality: Today, I hear far better with cochlear implants than I ever did with hearing aids.
I'm still deaf when I remove my cochlear implant processors at night. Cochlear Implants don't "cure" deafness, but when I wear my Cochlear Implant processors, I can once again hear.
CBS, by choosing to air an episode (in order to get ratings for the show Criminal Minds) insulted every dedicated surgeon, doctor, scientist, researcher, nurse, audiologist, speech therapist, teacher for the deaf, dedicated families, friends, and communities who advocate for the gift of hearing.
That is exactly what cochlear implants are for me, a gift. It is a gift that has changed my life so profoundly, it is hard to put it into words. It is a gift which gives me joy every day, gladdens my heart, my spirit, my soul, and allows me to experience hearing through wonderful technology.
I refuse to allow such bigotry, misinformation, and blatant abuse of freedom of "dramatic license," steal my joy in being a bilateral cochlear implant recipient.
Hearing with two cochlear implants continues to bless me each and every day.
I have absolutely no regrets in my decision to undergo cochlear implant surgery. None. I would undergo cochlear implantation surgery again in a heartbeat.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Lessons Learned
I have been bilateral for six months. With two CI's, I am learning to discern what feels "balanced" in terms of hearing out of both ears. One of the hardest concepts I have had to learn is the fact that sound is a spectrum. When you go for a mapping session, there are many variables that can contribute to a mapping that feels "off." It can be allergies, a cold.
In my case, having worn hearing aids for many years, I thought I had a good grasp of what a good mapping session would be. With each mapping session, I was pushing the volume of each electrode higher, signaling to the audiologist that the sound was "comfortable."
I had my last mapping session in May. During the next three months, I started feeling like I was being bombarded by sound. Sounds weren't loud, just incredibly noisy. It was too much of a good thing. Voices sounded distorted. Sounds were unusually sharp and sounds like typing on a keyboard and my office mate chewing and snapping gum all day were unpleasant to hear. I could hear my office mate from the opposite side of the wall which separates our office.
I still struggled with imbalance issues (not uncommon for six months post surgery), vestibular migraines (without the headache), and it was getting old, feeling slightly drunk all the time. My ears felt like they were constantly at war with each other. I knew I take medications that can contribute to dizziness. I resigned myself to the fact that I would forever be a klutz.
My audiologist is currently on maternity leave. When I returned to the Cochlear Clinic on Wednesday for my six month mapping, I told the substitute audiologist that the mappings were really off, and told her everything that was going on with me.
She re-mapped the processors electrode by electrode. The first clue that I was being overstimulated by sound was that my face beneath my right eye started twitching. I was totally unaware this was happening. The audiologist saw that, and with each electrode, she clapped her hands loudly to see if I would twitch, and then adjust the mapping thresholds accordingly. The twitching sounds painful. I can assure you that it wasn't painful at all.
The audiologist "tweaked" the mappings, asking each time if the sound was too soft, too loud, or just right. For the first time, voices sounded natural and I felt "balanced" in hearing out of both ears.
Yesterday I got up to get ready for work. I noticed I was not woozy, dizzy, or experiencing imbalance issues. I tilted my head back, to see if I was dizzy. Nothing. I felt very steady and not at all off balance. Today, the same thing. I could not hear my office mate chew and snap gum from the wall which separates us, much to my relief.
The difference in the mapping is just HUGE. I had no idea or clue that I was possibly being overstimulated by sound. Again, cochlear implants do not amplify sound. That is not the objective. You want to hear high, middle, and low frequencies, and not necessarily loud, either.
I am just absolutely stunned that one mapping session produced such drastic results. I feel as if I am hearing "normally," and I do not feel unbalanced, nor are sounds constantly noisy.
I am hearing where the audiologists want me to be on the audiogram. My speech discrimination score was 25%. Given the fact that in April and August of 2010, I scored a big fat zero in speech discrimination, this is definitely progress. Now that the mappings are where we want them to be, I think the speech discrimination will improve.
Lessons Learned. Hearing with two cochlear implants is still a blessing!
In my case, having worn hearing aids for many years, I thought I had a good grasp of what a good mapping session would be. With each mapping session, I was pushing the volume of each electrode higher, signaling to the audiologist that the sound was "comfortable."
I had my last mapping session in May. During the next three months, I started feeling like I was being bombarded by sound. Sounds weren't loud, just incredibly noisy. It was too much of a good thing. Voices sounded distorted. Sounds were unusually sharp and sounds like typing on a keyboard and my office mate chewing and snapping gum all day were unpleasant to hear. I could hear my office mate from the opposite side of the wall which separates our office.
I still struggled with imbalance issues (not uncommon for six months post surgery), vestibular migraines (without the headache), and it was getting old, feeling slightly drunk all the time. My ears felt like they were constantly at war with each other. I knew I take medications that can contribute to dizziness. I resigned myself to the fact that I would forever be a klutz.
My audiologist is currently on maternity leave. When I returned to the Cochlear Clinic on Wednesday for my six month mapping, I told the substitute audiologist that the mappings were really off, and told her everything that was going on with me.
She re-mapped the processors electrode by electrode. The first clue that I was being overstimulated by sound was that my face beneath my right eye started twitching. I was totally unaware this was happening. The audiologist saw that, and with each electrode, she clapped her hands loudly to see if I would twitch, and then adjust the mapping thresholds accordingly. The twitching sounds painful. I can assure you that it wasn't painful at all.
The audiologist "tweaked" the mappings, asking each time if the sound was too soft, too loud, or just right. For the first time, voices sounded natural and I felt "balanced" in hearing out of both ears.
Yesterday I got up to get ready for work. I noticed I was not woozy, dizzy, or experiencing imbalance issues. I tilted my head back, to see if I was dizzy. Nothing. I felt very steady and not at all off balance. Today, the same thing. I could not hear my office mate chew and snap gum from the wall which separates us, much to my relief.
The difference in the mapping is just HUGE. I had no idea or clue that I was possibly being overstimulated by sound. Again, cochlear implants do not amplify sound. That is not the objective. You want to hear high, middle, and low frequencies, and not necessarily loud, either.
I am just absolutely stunned that one mapping session produced such drastic results. I feel as if I am hearing "normally," and I do not feel unbalanced, nor are sounds constantly noisy.
I am hearing where the audiologists want me to be on the audiogram. My speech discrimination score was 25%. Given the fact that in April and August of 2010, I scored a big fat zero in speech discrimination, this is definitely progress. Now that the mappings are where we want them to be, I think the speech discrimination will improve.
Lessons Learned. Hearing with two cochlear implants is still a blessing!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Misinformation, The dangers of Social Media and Cochlear Implants
Last night I came across a posting from someone from deaf school days. This person had posted this picture of an x-ray of a human head. There was an implant and a cochlear processor, and the picture depicted someone in the throes of a horrible headache - a migraine. Beneath the picture was the caption, "Cochlear Implants Can Be Dangerous." Almost immediately, this posting generated a lot of nervous responses, all based on half-truths, inaccuracies, and misinformation. There were those who posted back, saying that they knew of individuals with cochlear implants whose surgeries were all successful.
One person commented you can't get an x-ray with a cochlear implant. Another said, if you have dizzy spells and headaches, you can't get a cochlear implant. Still another person said, I don't want to see someone in that much pain. Yet another individual proclaimed hearing aids "safer" than cochlear implants.
Here's what I DON'T MISS about Hearing Aids. Feedback. Pressure sores from ill-fitting earmolds. Itchy Ears! Ear Wax! Cleaning earmolds!
The individual who posted the picture also told horror stories about friends who this person knew suffered adverse effects from cochlear implants. For a person who claimed NOT to be "against cochlear implants," I noted with some amusement, that this person chose not to tell the other side of the story. This person and I personally know three other individuals from deaf school days and who are alumni of this school for the deaf we attended years ago. Three alumni of this school chose to get cochlear implants. The surgery was successful, and, these three individuals have no regrets about their decision to undergo cochlear implantation. In fact, one of the individuals and I met again at a convention and shared a hotel room during our stay. This person did not appear to have suffered any long-lasting "ill-effects," from the cochlear implant surgery.
Yes, there are failures. Yes, there are those individuals who, for some unforeseen reason or another, the cochlear implant surgery and usage of a cochlear implant, did not work out. There are those individuals where there was implant failure. The implant was removed surgically and a new implant surgically implanted. Out of eight "failures" out of 28,000 cochlear implant surgeries performed in 2010, (using the CI implant I chose), all eight were reimplanted successfully. The reimplantation surgery required one week's recuperation.
This never-ending discussion about the pros and cons of cochlear implants, made me think about the early days of heart transplants and open heart surgery. For those of us who are old enough to remember, there were a lot of very sick, brave individuals who died on the operating table for a chance to live a healthy life for a few hours, days, weeks even, with a artificial heart, or a real one.
Today, heart transplants and open heart surgery is commonplace. You don't usually have people running around saying, OMG! Heart transplants and/or open heart surgery can kill you!
Well, yes it can. There is risk involved in ANY type of surgery, INCLUDING heart transplants, open heart surgery, dental surgery, and yes, cochlear implants.
I can definitely tell you for every story of a "failed" cochlear implant, I can introduce you to at least 25 individuals who have had successful cochlear implant surgery and are enjoying the benefits of cochlear implants.
My vestibular migraines started long before I ever had cochlear implant surgery. I started having headaches before it would rain, starting at about age 11. The headaches were either weather related and/or hormone related. I had not had a migraine since 2002 when I was being evaluated for cochlear implant surgery. As I have gotten older, I thought I had "outgrown" the migraines. The imbalance issues and vertigo got worse over time, due to the effects of Streptomycin given to me at birth. As my deafness worsened, so did the imbalance issues. I have always been clumsy, due to the deafness.
I found out very recently, that the vestibular migraine episodes (minus the headaches but not the vestibular symptoms) were again hormonally and weather related. As my right ear adjusts to the cochlear implant and subsequent mappings, I am confident that my left ear and my right ear will be what I call "balanced." I have had two bad episodes of vestibular migraines four months apart. I do not have headaches, dizziness or vertigo every single day. Far from it.
NEWSFLASH. By the time I was evaluated for cochlear implants, I tested within the limits of the audiometer. I have been profoundly deaf for YEARS. Hearing Aids were no longer helping me, and I had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to GAIN by getting a cochlear implant. I now have two, one for each ear.
I was absolutely blessed in that I had both cochlear implant surgeries done at a hospital that has consistently ranked #1 in U.S. News and World Report for cochlear implant surgery. I was even more blessed to have a surgeon who is internationally famous for his expertise in his speciality. This talented surgeon did both my cochlear implant surgeries.
There are very competent surgeons and hospitals all over the United States and abroad who have successfully performed hundreds, if not thousands of cochlear implant surgeries. I have met many of the cochlear implant recipients.
That said, there is a reason why a patient being evaluated for cochlear implant surgery undergoes rigorous screening. You may have a psychological or psychiatric evaluation to determine your readiness for cochlear implant surgery. I did not have this evaluation. Not all hospital protocols are the same. I had labwork, a CT scan. Some require MRI's. I had an extensive medical history taken, and audiograms done. I also had a pneumonovax vaccine prior to surgery. The hospital which performed my CI surgeries will not do the surgery until you present them with a vaccination certificate which certifies that you have had the pneumonovax vaccine. You are told of the risks of cochlear implant surgery. Depending on one's hearing history, you are also told the time frame it will take you to get used to the cochlear implants. The medical/surgical team has a staff meeting and they determine your readiness for cochlear implant surgery. Then you are notified of a surgery date.
As for "pain," any pain I had after surgery was well managed with prescribed pain medications. At no time was I ever in excruciating pain. Ever.
Before I took my own journey in learning to hear with cochlear implants, I talked with individuals who were successful cochlear implant recipients. One was late-deafened as an adult. Still another person was born deaf.
For those of you who are tempted to take social media postings such as
the proclamation that "Cochlear Implants can be Dangerous," as the gospel truth, take what is said on-line with a grain of salt. Do your own research. Talk to people who have received cochlear implants. Talk to doctors. Talk to organizations for people with hearing loss.
Someone who I have come to consider a dear friend, said recently to another person who recently had cochlear implant surgery and is awaiting activation along with a relative who fears the implant won't work: "No one can steal your joy unless you allow them to." This person was saying be joyful about your decision to get a cochlear implant and don't allow your relative to spoil your joy. Well Said.
At times I have behaved like a child opening presents on Christmas Morning with unrestrained glee. For years, I've been jealous of hearing people who could talk on a smartphone, listen to music on an ipod or an MP3 player.
I now have my own! It is a lot of FUN listening to music on an ipod nano!
I'm learning to talk on a smartphone. I have had three conversations on it and am pretty sure I got most of the conversation!
I often times think back to my Activation Day in November, 2010, and just
laugh.
I have SO come a long way, baby! WHOO HOO!
CARPE DIEM! One Hearing Day At a Time!!
Hearing with two cochlear implants absolutely ROCKS.
I had nothing to lose by taking this journey and everything to GAIN. Thank You, God! Would I do this again? YES!!
One person commented you can't get an x-ray with a cochlear implant. Another said, if you have dizzy spells and headaches, you can't get a cochlear implant. Still another person said, I don't want to see someone in that much pain. Yet another individual proclaimed hearing aids "safer" than cochlear implants.
Here's what I DON'T MISS about Hearing Aids. Feedback. Pressure sores from ill-fitting earmolds. Itchy Ears! Ear Wax! Cleaning earmolds!
The individual who posted the picture also told horror stories about friends who this person knew suffered adverse effects from cochlear implants. For a person who claimed NOT to be "against cochlear implants," I noted with some amusement, that this person chose not to tell the other side of the story. This person and I personally know three other individuals from deaf school days and who are alumni of this school for the deaf we attended years ago. Three alumni of this school chose to get cochlear implants. The surgery was successful, and, these three individuals have no regrets about their decision to undergo cochlear implantation. In fact, one of the individuals and I met again at a convention and shared a hotel room during our stay. This person did not appear to have suffered any long-lasting "ill-effects," from the cochlear implant surgery.
Yes, there are failures. Yes, there are those individuals who, for some unforeseen reason or another, the cochlear implant surgery and usage of a cochlear implant, did not work out. There are those individuals where there was implant failure. The implant was removed surgically and a new implant surgically implanted. Out of eight "failures" out of 28,000 cochlear implant surgeries performed in 2010, (using the CI implant I chose), all eight were reimplanted successfully. The reimplantation surgery required one week's recuperation.
This never-ending discussion about the pros and cons of cochlear implants, made me think about the early days of heart transplants and open heart surgery. For those of us who are old enough to remember, there were a lot of very sick, brave individuals who died on the operating table for a chance to live a healthy life for a few hours, days, weeks even, with a artificial heart, or a real one.
Today, heart transplants and open heart surgery is commonplace. You don't usually have people running around saying, OMG! Heart transplants and/or open heart surgery can kill you!
Well, yes it can. There is risk involved in ANY type of surgery, INCLUDING heart transplants, open heart surgery, dental surgery, and yes, cochlear implants.
I can definitely tell you for every story of a "failed" cochlear implant, I can introduce you to at least 25 individuals who have had successful cochlear implant surgery and are enjoying the benefits of cochlear implants.
My vestibular migraines started long before I ever had cochlear implant surgery. I started having headaches before it would rain, starting at about age 11. The headaches were either weather related and/or hormone related. I had not had a migraine since 2002 when I was being evaluated for cochlear implant surgery. As I have gotten older, I thought I had "outgrown" the migraines. The imbalance issues and vertigo got worse over time, due to the effects of Streptomycin given to me at birth. As my deafness worsened, so did the imbalance issues. I have always been clumsy, due to the deafness.
I found out very recently, that the vestibular migraine episodes (minus the headaches but not the vestibular symptoms) were again hormonally and weather related. As my right ear adjusts to the cochlear implant and subsequent mappings, I am confident that my left ear and my right ear will be what I call "balanced." I have had two bad episodes of vestibular migraines four months apart. I do not have headaches, dizziness or vertigo every single day. Far from it.
NEWSFLASH. By the time I was evaluated for cochlear implants, I tested within the limits of the audiometer. I have been profoundly deaf for YEARS. Hearing Aids were no longer helping me, and I had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to GAIN by getting a cochlear implant. I now have two, one for each ear.
I was absolutely blessed in that I had both cochlear implant surgeries done at a hospital that has consistently ranked #1 in U.S. News and World Report for cochlear implant surgery. I was even more blessed to have a surgeon who is internationally famous for his expertise in his speciality. This talented surgeon did both my cochlear implant surgeries.
There are very competent surgeons and hospitals all over the United States and abroad who have successfully performed hundreds, if not thousands of cochlear implant surgeries. I have met many of the cochlear implant recipients.
That said, there is a reason why a patient being evaluated for cochlear implant surgery undergoes rigorous screening. You may have a psychological or psychiatric evaluation to determine your readiness for cochlear implant surgery. I did not have this evaluation. Not all hospital protocols are the same. I had labwork, a CT scan. Some require MRI's. I had an extensive medical history taken, and audiograms done. I also had a pneumonovax vaccine prior to surgery. The hospital which performed my CI surgeries will not do the surgery until you present them with a vaccination certificate which certifies that you have had the pneumonovax vaccine. You are told of the risks of cochlear implant surgery. Depending on one's hearing history, you are also told the time frame it will take you to get used to the cochlear implants. The medical/surgical team has a staff meeting and they determine your readiness for cochlear implant surgery. Then you are notified of a surgery date.
As for "pain," any pain I had after surgery was well managed with prescribed pain medications. At no time was I ever in excruciating pain. Ever.
Before I took my own journey in learning to hear with cochlear implants, I talked with individuals who were successful cochlear implant recipients. One was late-deafened as an adult. Still another person was born deaf.
For those of you who are tempted to take social media postings such as
the proclamation that "Cochlear Implants can be Dangerous," as the gospel truth, take what is said on-line with a grain of salt. Do your own research. Talk to people who have received cochlear implants. Talk to doctors. Talk to organizations for people with hearing loss.
Someone who I have come to consider a dear friend, said recently to another person who recently had cochlear implant surgery and is awaiting activation along with a relative who fears the implant won't work: "No one can steal your joy unless you allow them to." This person was saying be joyful about your decision to get a cochlear implant and don't allow your relative to spoil your joy. Well Said.
At times I have behaved like a child opening presents on Christmas Morning with unrestrained glee. For years, I've been jealous of hearing people who could talk on a smartphone, listen to music on an ipod or an MP3 player.
I now have my own! It is a lot of FUN listening to music on an ipod nano!
I'm learning to talk on a smartphone. I have had three conversations on it and am pretty sure I got most of the conversation!
I often times think back to my Activation Day in November, 2010, and just
laugh.
I have SO come a long way, baby! WHOO HOO!
CARPE DIEM! One Hearing Day At a Time!!
Hearing with two cochlear implants absolutely ROCKS.
I had nothing to lose by taking this journey and everything to GAIN. Thank You, God! Would I do this again? YES!!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Another Vestibular Migraine and a Meeting
It is raining. I can hear the raindrops drumming on the roof. We needed the rain. I suffered another Vestibular Migraine Episode a week ago Wednesday, complete with nausea and vomiting. I contacted my surgeon's office and was given a Migraine Diet. It seems to be working. I am just amazed at how much salt there is in processed foods.
Now that I have had two full-blown Vestibular Migraines four months apart, I absolutely know my "triggers" and what to avoid. Weather is definitely my first "trigger." I met the woman I have been mentoring at the hospital. I met her father. My mentee and I share the same surgeon and same audiologist. She was at the hospital to meet with our surgeon and to make a decision whether to go with a second CI. We discovered that we had both been sick a week ago Wednesday night. We were "twins" for a night. We talked to the surgeon's nurse while we were at the hospital.
I had never met anyone who had misgivings about a second cochlear implant.
This woman's father has never really been exposed to deafness, and the same is true for the sisters in this family.
Our surgeon examined my mentee, and told us that his recommendation was that she go ahead with a second cochlear implant in her unimplanted ear. The father said to the surgeon that he hated for his daughter to go through all that (the surgery) again and couldn't he just give his daughter another shot in the ear?
Our surgeon was firm in his recommendation that my mentee have the second cochlear implant surgery. He explained that because she has Meniere's and the disease is quite active, they hoped to preserve what vestibular function was left. My mentee wants the second cochlear implant. Her father doesn't want her to go through with the second cochlear implant surgery.
We met with the audiologist, who tested my mentee's hearing, and sure enough, the audiogram revealed further loss of hearing in the unimplanted ear and established her candidacy for the second cochlear implant. The Audiologist also mapped the cochlear implant processors, and explained the benefits of a second cochlear implant.
As my mentee was deafened as an adult, she has what we call hearing memory. She did very well on the speech discrimination tests in her implanted ear and is making great progress. She scored a big fat zero on speech discrimination in her unimplanted ear, which we had expected.
While my mentee was in the testing booth, her father and I were in the waiting room and I had a window of opportunity to discuss with him what was happening with his daughter. He has difficulty grasping what deafness is, so I explained deafness to him in terms he could understand. He still did not understand why the second cochlear implant was necessary, and referred to his daughter as "almost normal," with the inititial cochlear implant.
This experience was an eye-opener for me. I had never dealt with a hearing person who really didn't want his daughter to have a cochlear implant in the first place, and wanted her to "preserve" what "natural hearing" she has. It also affirmed for me the difficulty people have in grasping that a hearing disability is real, although invisible. The same is true of having a disease like Meniere's. The disease is invisible to most, and only becomes apparent when the person staggers, struggles with balance, or falls to the floor, or is so dizzy nausea and vomiting result.
My mentee has dealt with her permanent hearing loss a lot better than others.
The loss of hearing has been gradual over a period of three years, accompanied by vertigo and imbalance issues so severe, she has been unable to work and had to go on disability from her job.
I gave my mentee a signaling system that will alert her to sounds she cannot hear without the cochlear implant. She and I have to take off the cochlear implant processors to sleep, shower, and bathe. During those times, we are deaf and cannot hear a doorbell, telephone, smoke alarm, door knock, tea kettle. I had purchased a newer signaling system prior to getting my first CI, and hadn't set it up. When I found out my mentee didn't have a signaling system, I was glad to give her my older signaling system. She gave me a gift of canned pickles and salsa she made herself. Yum!
I don't know if her father realized after our meeting that it was and is possible for his daughter to lead a full life with cochlear implants in spite of her deafness. Right now, all he can focus on, is that his daughter is now DEAF and he questions whether the second cochlear implant will be beneficial to her, or lessen or eliminate the vertigo and Meniere's attacks.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. She has a surgery date set for October 31st. At that time, it will have been eight months since the first CI. She is going ahead with the surgery in spite of her father's misgivings. I am confident that her father and her sisters, over time, will come to the realization that being a bilateral cochlear implant recipient is the best thing to happen to their daughter and sister.
My mentee and I are deaf individuals who lead full lives in spite of our deafness. The miracle of cochlear implant technology allows us to hear with our cochlear implant processors on.
We have faith, optimism, and hope. One of my greatest joys right now is the fact that I am able to be a blessing to other deaf individuals who are new cochlear implant recipients, and to be blessed by them as well. We share our experiences, our setbacks, our frustrations, and our "WOW"! moments.
What a Hearing Journey it has been. I just look back at my Activation Day experience in November, 2010, and just laugh. I have come a long way since that initial day of wild and crazy sounds.
Hearing with two cochlear implants is such a blessing.
Now that I have had two full-blown Vestibular Migraines four months apart, I absolutely know my "triggers" and what to avoid. Weather is definitely my first "trigger." I met the woman I have been mentoring at the hospital. I met her father. My mentee and I share the same surgeon and same audiologist. She was at the hospital to meet with our surgeon and to make a decision whether to go with a second CI. We discovered that we had both been sick a week ago Wednesday night. We were "twins" for a night. We talked to the surgeon's nurse while we were at the hospital.
I had never met anyone who had misgivings about a second cochlear implant.
This woman's father has never really been exposed to deafness, and the same is true for the sisters in this family.
Our surgeon examined my mentee, and told us that his recommendation was that she go ahead with a second cochlear implant in her unimplanted ear. The father said to the surgeon that he hated for his daughter to go through all that (the surgery) again and couldn't he just give his daughter another shot in the ear?
Our surgeon was firm in his recommendation that my mentee have the second cochlear implant surgery. He explained that because she has Meniere's and the disease is quite active, they hoped to preserve what vestibular function was left. My mentee wants the second cochlear implant. Her father doesn't want her to go through with the second cochlear implant surgery.
We met with the audiologist, who tested my mentee's hearing, and sure enough, the audiogram revealed further loss of hearing in the unimplanted ear and established her candidacy for the second cochlear implant. The Audiologist also mapped the cochlear implant processors, and explained the benefits of a second cochlear implant.
As my mentee was deafened as an adult, she has what we call hearing memory. She did very well on the speech discrimination tests in her implanted ear and is making great progress. She scored a big fat zero on speech discrimination in her unimplanted ear, which we had expected.
While my mentee was in the testing booth, her father and I were in the waiting room and I had a window of opportunity to discuss with him what was happening with his daughter. He has difficulty grasping what deafness is, so I explained deafness to him in terms he could understand. He still did not understand why the second cochlear implant was necessary, and referred to his daughter as "almost normal," with the inititial cochlear implant.
This experience was an eye-opener for me. I had never dealt with a hearing person who really didn't want his daughter to have a cochlear implant in the first place, and wanted her to "preserve" what "natural hearing" she has. It also affirmed for me the difficulty people have in grasping that a hearing disability is real, although invisible. The same is true of having a disease like Meniere's. The disease is invisible to most, and only becomes apparent when the person staggers, struggles with balance, or falls to the floor, or is so dizzy nausea and vomiting result.
My mentee has dealt with her permanent hearing loss a lot better than others.
The loss of hearing has been gradual over a period of three years, accompanied by vertigo and imbalance issues so severe, she has been unable to work and had to go on disability from her job.
I gave my mentee a signaling system that will alert her to sounds she cannot hear without the cochlear implant. She and I have to take off the cochlear implant processors to sleep, shower, and bathe. During those times, we are deaf and cannot hear a doorbell, telephone, smoke alarm, door knock, tea kettle. I had purchased a newer signaling system prior to getting my first CI, and hadn't set it up. When I found out my mentee didn't have a signaling system, I was glad to give her my older signaling system. She gave me a gift of canned pickles and salsa she made herself. Yum!
I don't know if her father realized after our meeting that it was and is possible for his daughter to lead a full life with cochlear implants in spite of her deafness. Right now, all he can focus on, is that his daughter is now DEAF and he questions whether the second cochlear implant will be beneficial to her, or lessen or eliminate the vertigo and Meniere's attacks.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. She has a surgery date set for October 31st. At that time, it will have been eight months since the first CI. She is going ahead with the surgery in spite of her father's misgivings. I am confident that her father and her sisters, over time, will come to the realization that being a bilateral cochlear implant recipient is the best thing to happen to their daughter and sister.
My mentee and I are deaf individuals who lead full lives in spite of our deafness. The miracle of cochlear implant technology allows us to hear with our cochlear implant processors on.
We have faith, optimism, and hope. One of my greatest joys right now is the fact that I am able to be a blessing to other deaf individuals who are new cochlear implant recipients, and to be blessed by them as well. We share our experiences, our setbacks, our frustrations, and our "WOW"! moments.
What a Hearing Journey it has been. I just look back at my Activation Day experience in November, 2010, and just laugh. I have come a long way since that initial day of wild and crazy sounds.
Hearing with two cochlear implants is such a blessing.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
A Club and a Heavy Metal Band
Well, all work and no play made me pretty cranky, so a weekend ago a friend and I got in her rental SUV and got out of town. We headed south and about seven hours later arrived at our destination. We checked into the hotel, freshened up, and headed for the club. This was my first time hearing any kind of a band "live," bilaterally, with two cochlear implants instead of one.
As in days past, my friend lip-synched the band lyrics for me. It was loud, but the cochlear implant processors adjusted for that. I knew the music was loud because the floor and walls were vibrating. We were near the bar, sitting at a table way in the back away from the band, and I could still hear them. In between sets I could talk to my friend and heard everything she said in spite of the noise, chatter and people moving about.
I could hear the lyrics, but didn't understand them - but I knew the music and recognized the music first. I tried an experiment - I took the cochlear processors off and put them on the table to see what I could hear, if anything.
Well, I don't think I am totally deaf, because I could hear the drum set. That started another conversation - my friend thinks I heard vibrations rather than "sound."
Still, it was an enjoyable experience, loudness and all. Great bartender and great cranberry and vodka drinks. I wasn't the designated driver.
We turned into bed around 2AM and then spent most of the next day driving back home and chatting as my friend drove.
Hearing with two cochlear implants is such a blessing, even with a Heavy Metal Band.
As in days past, my friend lip-synched the band lyrics for me. It was loud, but the cochlear implant processors adjusted for that. I knew the music was loud because the floor and walls were vibrating. We were near the bar, sitting at a table way in the back away from the band, and I could still hear them. In between sets I could talk to my friend and heard everything she said in spite of the noise, chatter and people moving about.
I could hear the lyrics, but didn't understand them - but I knew the music and recognized the music first. I tried an experiment - I took the cochlear processors off and put them on the table to see what I could hear, if anything.
Well, I don't think I am totally deaf, because I could hear the drum set. That started another conversation - my friend thinks I heard vibrations rather than "sound."
Still, it was an enjoyable experience, loudness and all. Great bartender and great cranberry and vodka drinks. I wasn't the designated driver.
We turned into bed around 2AM and then spent most of the next day driving back home and chatting as my friend drove.
Hearing with two cochlear implants is such a blessing, even with a Heavy Metal Band.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Cochlear Implant Brands and the Fine Print
I absolutely LOVE my cochlear implant processors. Every Cochlear Implant Recipient who I have met has been happy with the brand of implant that person chose.
I am all for freedom of choice and don't believe in what we call "brand bashing." That said, I am absolutely biased in my opinion that my cochlear implant brand is Number One. I admit it.
As I am a bilateral cochlear implant recipient, I am blessed to have two sets of cochlear implant processors. One set is worn behind the ear, much like traditional behind the ear hearing aids.
The other processor set, was officially launched with great fanfare in December 2011. When I had my right ear implanted in February of this year, I was delighted to find out that my health insurance allowed me to order the new processors. These processors are very unconventional and don't look like the traditional cochlear implant processors at all.
The new processors are worn totally off the ear, and are truly waterproof. The processors are quite popular with adult and children alike. You can clip the processors to your hair, clothing, bathing suit straps, the waistband of swim trunks. You can wear arm bands and tuck the processors in the arm bands, a swim cap, a headband, or a lanyard.
I love the versatility of the new cochlear implant processors. As we are having a warm summer, it is nice to remove the behind the ear cochlear implant processors with the rechargeable batteries, plug the batteries into
the charger, put the processors away.
Next, I take out the waterproof processors and insert a disposable AAA battery inside, and clip the processors to my tank top straps. Having cochlear implant processors which operate on disposable batteries come in handy during power outages.
My new processors really and truly ARE waterproof. At a recent convention, we had a booth promoting the new processors and stuck a processor in a goldfish bowl full of water and left it there.
Talk about a conversation piece!!
Each and every cochlear implant manufacturer licensed to sell cochlear implants and processors in the United States, are going all out to convince people that their particular cochlear implant and processor is the right one.
When a cochlear implant candidate is evaluating cochlear implants, it is imperative that you read the fine print of those glossy brochures. If you are an adult cochlear implant candidate or a guardian, parent of a cochlear implant candidate, think long and hard about your hearing needs. If you love the water, love water sports such as water skiing, surfing, swimming, then you want a cochlear implant processor that is TOTALLY waterproof.
I have lived with deafness for many years. I was startled to learn of a teenager who is in high school who hated pool parties because he couldn't hear or follow conversation in the pool. Well, when the totally waterproof cochlear implant processors were launched last December, this teenager was thrilled at the prospect of being able to HEAR in a swimming pool.
Being in a swimming pool and not following a conversation was never an issue for me, as I was always with someone who was used to my deafness and would face me in the pool so I could lipread the conversation.
It makes no sense to me to select a cochlear implant, along with a cochlear implant processor that you cannot totally immerse in water.
There are trade-offs with each cochlear implant manufacturer. A big draw for me, when I was evaluating cochlear implants, was the fact that a lot of late-deafened adults were choosing the brand of cochlear implant I eventually chose. That intrigued me.
I am very happy I chose the cochlear implant brand I have. It is so important to choose the cochlear implant brand carefully and to talk with cochlear implant recipients. Read the fine print. A cochlear implant isn't a device that you can return to the hearing aid dealer or cochlear implant company before the 90 day warranty is up.
A cochlear implant is a lifetime investment. So choose wisely.
Being a bilateral cochlear implant recipient is such a gift. I continue to be absolutely stunned at how deaf I am every night when I remove the cochlear implant processors for the night.
Hearing with two cochlear implants is a blessing, noisy world and all.
I am all for freedom of choice and don't believe in what we call "brand bashing." That said, I am absolutely biased in my opinion that my cochlear implant brand is Number One. I admit it.
As I am a bilateral cochlear implant recipient, I am blessed to have two sets of cochlear implant processors. One set is worn behind the ear, much like traditional behind the ear hearing aids.
The other processor set, was officially launched with great fanfare in December 2011. When I had my right ear implanted in February of this year, I was delighted to find out that my health insurance allowed me to order the new processors. These processors are very unconventional and don't look like the traditional cochlear implant processors at all.
The new processors are worn totally off the ear, and are truly waterproof. The processors are quite popular with adult and children alike. You can clip the processors to your hair, clothing, bathing suit straps, the waistband of swim trunks. You can wear arm bands and tuck the processors in the arm bands, a swim cap, a headband, or a lanyard.
I love the versatility of the new cochlear implant processors. As we are having a warm summer, it is nice to remove the behind the ear cochlear implant processors with the rechargeable batteries, plug the batteries into
the charger, put the processors away.
Next, I take out the waterproof processors and insert a disposable AAA battery inside, and clip the processors to my tank top straps. Having cochlear implant processors which operate on disposable batteries come in handy during power outages.
My new processors really and truly ARE waterproof. At a recent convention, we had a booth promoting the new processors and stuck a processor in a goldfish bowl full of water and left it there.
Talk about a conversation piece!!
Each and every cochlear implant manufacturer licensed to sell cochlear implants and processors in the United States, are going all out to convince people that their particular cochlear implant and processor is the right one.
When a cochlear implant candidate is evaluating cochlear implants, it is imperative that you read the fine print of those glossy brochures. If you are an adult cochlear implant candidate or a guardian, parent of a cochlear implant candidate, think long and hard about your hearing needs. If you love the water, love water sports such as water skiing, surfing, swimming, then you want a cochlear implant processor that is TOTALLY waterproof.
I have lived with deafness for many years. I was startled to learn of a teenager who is in high school who hated pool parties because he couldn't hear or follow conversation in the pool. Well, when the totally waterproof cochlear implant processors were launched last December, this teenager was thrilled at the prospect of being able to HEAR in a swimming pool.
Being in a swimming pool and not following a conversation was never an issue for me, as I was always with someone who was used to my deafness and would face me in the pool so I could lipread the conversation.
It makes no sense to me to select a cochlear implant, along with a cochlear implant processor that you cannot totally immerse in water.
There are trade-offs with each cochlear implant manufacturer. A big draw for me, when I was evaluating cochlear implants, was the fact that a lot of late-deafened adults were choosing the brand of cochlear implant I eventually chose. That intrigued me.
I am very happy I chose the cochlear implant brand I have. It is so important to choose the cochlear implant brand carefully and to talk with cochlear implant recipients. Read the fine print. A cochlear implant isn't a device that you can return to the hearing aid dealer or cochlear implant company before the 90 day warranty is up.
A cochlear implant is a lifetime investment. So choose wisely.
Being a bilateral cochlear implant recipient is such a gift. I continue to be absolutely stunned at how deaf I am every night when I remove the cochlear implant processors for the night.
Hearing with two cochlear implants is a blessing, noisy world and all.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Listening to Music - Bilaterally
Technology continues to boggle my mind. After much trial and error, I managed to download songs, albums, favorite songs to my i-pad nano. I modified my Klipsch earbuds with plastic tubing to accommodate my Behind the Ear Cochlear Implant Processors.
I am plugged in. The scratchiness in lyrics is nearly gone. Music finally sounds like music.
I am hearing music, lyrics in stereo, technicolor, high definition and surround sound!
Cochlear Implants allow me to hear in Dolby Sound. I finally get it. Cochlear Implant Processors ARE like a super-sophisticated stereo receiver!
While I have been hearing bilaterally for two months and two weeks, I am not only hearing more in surround sound, I am learning to discriminate sounds more.
You probably think fireworks basically go BOOM! Fireworks not only go
boom, there are different frequencies of boom! at which the fireworks go off. There are different flavors of firework percussion. I opted to stay inside on the 4th of July and watch the Macy's Fireworks on TV.
I thought it was really cool to hear Madonna's "Holiday," along with one firework display. I think I will download that song to my ipod nano.
I also purchased an iphone. One favoritie notification tune I really like is the rumble of a motorcycle. Everytime I hear my iphone rumble, it is notifying me of a new e-mail or a text. The motorcycle rumble doesn't sound like a rumble of a Harley, but it is good enough!
I haven't tried calling on the iphone just yet. I plan to do that. I will try it with the Klipsch earbuds in for clarity and see how that test phone call goes.
The other thing that has happened, is that my brain is finally tuning out my co-worker's gum chewing and snapping. Thank God!
It truly is a brain thing. One of the biggest joys in my life right now is being active in my cochlear implanted community and mentoring to other people who have elected to be implanted with the implants I have.
I still think back to Activation Day, November 11, 2010, and just laugh.
It is a day I will never forget. Hearing with cochlear implants is like hearing with all the colors of the rainbow. I also think back to the day my surgeon's nurse told me that a cochlear implant would change my life, and laugh again.
I had no idea and absolutely no clue. It has turned my life upside down, but in a good way. With cochlear implants, I am hearing from sun up to sunset. I am still stunned at how deaf I am when I take off my cochlear implant processors at night.
MINDBLOWING!
Hearing bilaterally with Cochlear Implants is such a miracle and a gift for which I thank God for every day. I may not always faithfully thank Him in prayer each day, but He knows my heart. It is singing.
I am plugged in. The scratchiness in lyrics is nearly gone. Music finally sounds like music.
I am hearing music, lyrics in stereo, technicolor, high definition and surround sound!
Cochlear Implants allow me to hear in Dolby Sound. I finally get it. Cochlear Implant Processors ARE like a super-sophisticated stereo receiver!
While I have been hearing bilaterally for two months and two weeks, I am not only hearing more in surround sound, I am learning to discriminate sounds more.
You probably think fireworks basically go BOOM! Fireworks not only go
boom, there are different frequencies of boom! at which the fireworks go off. There are different flavors of firework percussion. I opted to stay inside on the 4th of July and watch the Macy's Fireworks on TV.
I thought it was really cool to hear Madonna's "Holiday," along with one firework display. I think I will download that song to my ipod nano.
I also purchased an iphone. One favoritie notification tune I really like is the rumble of a motorcycle. Everytime I hear my iphone rumble, it is notifying me of a new e-mail or a text. The motorcycle rumble doesn't sound like a rumble of a Harley, but it is good enough!
I haven't tried calling on the iphone just yet. I plan to do that. I will try it with the Klipsch earbuds in for clarity and see how that test phone call goes.
The other thing that has happened, is that my brain is finally tuning out my co-worker's gum chewing and snapping. Thank God!
It truly is a brain thing. One of the biggest joys in my life right now is being active in my cochlear implanted community and mentoring to other people who have elected to be implanted with the implants I have.
I still think back to Activation Day, November 11, 2010, and just laugh.
It is a day I will never forget. Hearing with cochlear implants is like hearing with all the colors of the rainbow. I also think back to the day my surgeon's nurse told me that a cochlear implant would change my life, and laugh again.
I had no idea and absolutely no clue. It has turned my life upside down, but in a good way. With cochlear implants, I am hearing from sun up to sunset. I am still stunned at how deaf I am when I take off my cochlear implant processors at night.
MINDBLOWING!
Hearing bilaterally with Cochlear Implants is such a miracle and a gift for which I thank God for every day. I may not always faithfully thank Him in prayer each day, but He knows my heart. It is singing.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Some Hiccups, an unexpected delay, and challenges in traveling
You hear horror stories from people who have had flights canceled, missed flights, and unbelievable delays in traveling on planes. I figured since the day was bright, sunny, although hot, I would get to a conference on time. Ah, no.
A 5:30 PM flight which was supposed to take me to a conference, didn't. I won't name the airline, but I was still at the airport at 11:30 PM Wednesday night when we were told that the flight had been canceled. Some of my fellow travelers and I had banded together in an effort to get on an another airline. There were no available flights for the rest of the night. I had someone call my hotel and tell them to hold the room for me. We also left a message for the desk to tell my hotel roomie that I would be late getting to the conference and to please let her in the room.
Challenge Number One. I have an ancient text only Blackberry, which was useless in searching for other available flights. Others had laptops, i-pads and i-phones, smartphones, cell phones.
Challenge Number Two: Telling the airline staff that I was a person with a hearing disability who wouldn't be able to understand the public address system when flight announcements were necessary.
Challenge Number Three: Being a solo traveler with a hearing disability.
Challenge Number Four: Getting a message to my hotel roomie, who is also a person with a hearing disability.
I wound up getting to the conference the next evening and missing a whole day of the conference. My hotel roomie and I found each other on the escalator of the hotel and gave each other a big hug. She was equally glad to see me as I was to see her. I was just so glad to finally make to the conference.
I still had fun. It was good to get away for a few days. I made new friends, reunited with friends from the previous conference, and got to play tourist a bit.
Next year, the conference will be on the West Coast. I plan to make a vacation out of it and arrive at the beginning of the week! I also plan to fly a different airline and get a non-stop flight.
Lessons Learned.
Hearing bilaterally with cochlear implants is still a gift.
A 5:30 PM flight which was supposed to take me to a conference, didn't. I won't name the airline, but I was still at the airport at 11:30 PM Wednesday night when we were told that the flight had been canceled. Some of my fellow travelers and I had banded together in an effort to get on an another airline. There were no available flights for the rest of the night. I had someone call my hotel and tell them to hold the room for me. We also left a message for the desk to tell my hotel roomie that I would be late getting to the conference and to please let her in the room.
Challenge Number One. I have an ancient text only Blackberry, which was useless in searching for other available flights. Others had laptops, i-pads and i-phones, smartphones, cell phones.
Challenge Number Two: Telling the airline staff that I was a person with a hearing disability who wouldn't be able to understand the public address system when flight announcements were necessary.
Challenge Number Three: Being a solo traveler with a hearing disability.
Challenge Number Four: Getting a message to my hotel roomie, who is also a person with a hearing disability.
I wound up getting to the conference the next evening and missing a whole day of the conference. My hotel roomie and I found each other on the escalator of the hotel and gave each other a big hug. She was equally glad to see me as I was to see her. I was just so glad to finally make to the conference.
I still had fun. It was good to get away for a few days. I made new friends, reunited with friends from the previous conference, and got to play tourist a bit.
Next year, the conference will be on the West Coast. I plan to make a vacation out of it and arrive at the beginning of the week! I also plan to fly a different airline and get a non-stop flight.
Lessons Learned.
Hearing bilaterally with cochlear implants is still a gift.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Sound and my Comfort Zone
My office is a noisy place to work in. At 8:30 AM, a co-worker's phone rings.
I hear "fleedle," "fleedle," "fleedle," until the voice mail comes on, and the phone stops ringing. A bit later, my co-worker enters the office. I know who it is because even that early in the morning, she is loudly chewing and snapping gum. The door squeaks as she enters. We say hello to each other, and she goes into her office.
My co-worker always has her phone on speaker phone. I hear her using the phone - "bip, boop, bip, boop boop," and the phone begins ringing as she pushes the key pads on the phone. "Beeeeeee," "Beeeeee," "Beeeeee,"
"This is ------," she says. I don't understand the conversation, but I am aware of her talking. She is loud. I think the loudness distorts her voice, so while I am aware of her talking, I don't understand the conversation. All day long, I hear her snap gum even though a wall separates us. My hearing is THAT acute.
I hear the wheels of the mail cart and the mail clerk outside. The door squeaks again as she opens it and puts the mail inside the mail box for us, and picks up mail from the outbox.
All day long I hear environmental noise, either people in the corridor talking as they are walking to and from offices.
I wish my co-worker would stop snapping her gum as she chews. I wish she would not keep the phone on speaker phone every time she has a conversation. I not only hear her but I hear the other party speaking as well.
This goes on for eight hours every work day. How do you tune out a co-worker snapping gum? How do you tune out the conversations and noise in order to get work done?
How do you get past the distractions of noise?
It is going to take time. Maybe in a year the noises in the office won't be so distracting.
Is this what hearing people go through when they work in a noisy office?
Still, hearing with two cochlear implants is a gift.
I hear "fleedle," "fleedle," "fleedle," until the voice mail comes on, and the phone stops ringing. A bit later, my co-worker enters the office. I know who it is because even that early in the morning, she is loudly chewing and snapping gum. The door squeaks as she enters. We say hello to each other, and she goes into her office.
My co-worker always has her phone on speaker phone. I hear her using the phone - "bip, boop, bip, boop boop," and the phone begins ringing as she pushes the key pads on the phone. "Beeeeeee," "Beeeeee," "Beeeeee,"
"This is ------," she says. I don't understand the conversation, but I am aware of her talking. She is loud. I think the loudness distorts her voice, so while I am aware of her talking, I don't understand the conversation. All day long, I hear her snap gum even though a wall separates us. My hearing is THAT acute.
I hear the wheels of the mail cart and the mail clerk outside. The door squeaks again as she opens it and puts the mail inside the mail box for us, and picks up mail from the outbox.
All day long I hear environmental noise, either people in the corridor talking as they are walking to and from offices.
I wish my co-worker would stop snapping her gum as she chews. I wish she would not keep the phone on speaker phone every time she has a conversation. I not only hear her but I hear the other party speaking as well.
This goes on for eight hours every work day. How do you tune out a co-worker snapping gum? How do you tune out the conversations and noise in order to get work done?
How do you get past the distractions of noise?
It is going to take time. Maybe in a year the noises in the office won't be so distracting.
Is this what hearing people go through when they work in a noisy office?
Still, hearing with two cochlear implants is a gift.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
One Month Tweaking Session, Bilaterally Hearing
A lot of folks extended their Memorial Day Holiday through today. I elected to take Amtrak to the Cochlear Center, rather then spend two hours or more inching along in interstate traffic. I drove to the subway station, parked my car, took the subway to the train station. It was noisy, busy and controlled chaos. I explained to the guy at the Information Desk that I was a person with a hearing disability and that I probably wouldn't "hear" the train announcements. This was a better explanation than going into this long-winded explanation that I was a deaf person with two cochlear implants, and while I can technically "hear" the Public Announcement System, understanding the actual announcement was going to be dicey, especially in a noisy environment.
The guy at the information desk told me there would be three consecutive stops, and that at the third stop I was to get off the train. I thanked him and proceeded to the gate. The train was about ten minutes late in arriving at the station. 42 minutes later I arrived at my destination, got off the train and took a taxi to the cochlear center with about 15 minutes to spare until my appointment with the audiologist.
I went to the kiosk and started keying in my information into the computer and verifying my name, address, etc. As I was doing so, I could hear the keys click as I pressed each key in response to the menu.
The good news is that as far as the audiogram is concerned for my right ear, with the cochlear implant, I am hearing where I should be hearing at this stage of hearing with two cochlear implants.
Because I started wearing a hearing aid in my right ear later in life, when it came to speech discrimination for my right ear, I was able to recognize two words and that was it. Understanding speech in my right ear continues to be challenging.
My audiologist and I discussed where I was as far as hearing with two cochlear implants. We went through mapping the right ear cochlear sound processor for my right ear, starting with low frequencies and working up to higher frequencies.
Right away I could hear my audiologists' fingers flying over the keys as she completed each sequence on the computer. I told her what I was hearing, what voices sound like, what noise sounds like. After the session, I said good-bye to my audiologist, as she is going on maternity leave and is expecting a baby (her second) in August.
I made my appointments for August with a substitute Audiologist and left the cochlear clinic. I got in a taxi and went to the train station for my return trip home. The trains were late arriving and departing due to the unusually warm weather. I went ahead and ate lunch at a cafe as the train was not expected to arrive for another hour and a half.
I ended up getting on the train at 2:00 PM instead of at 1:00 PM which made for a long day. I got off the train, made a stop at the women's bathroom and proceeded to the subway station.
One sound that the cochlear implants HASN'T helped with is the crinkling sound of a toilet paper seat liner or sheets of toilet paper. It was 88 degrees today with a heat index of 95. I was unaware that there was still a sheet or so of toilet paper stuck to the inside of my T-shirt over my bottom. A very kind woman came up to me and told me to check my behind. I did. I thanked her profusely.
Note to Self: Please, from now on, do a sweep of your lower back, and bottom and make sure there are NO seat liners or toilet paper sticking to you, especially during hot weather!!
So much for bilateral hearing. I still can't hear stuck toilet paper on me. It WAS noisy in the bathroom!
On the way home, I turned on National Public Radio and resolutely listened to the chatter, catching a word or a sentence here and there. I could hear applause and individual hands clapping as well. The thought occurred to me, you know how they have laugh tracks on television? Is that applause on National Public Radio real or canned? I have no idea.
I will have to ask someone that question. Hearing with two cochlear implants is priceless, even with stuck toilet paper on me!
The guy at the information desk told me there would be three consecutive stops, and that at the third stop I was to get off the train. I thanked him and proceeded to the gate. The train was about ten minutes late in arriving at the station. 42 minutes later I arrived at my destination, got off the train and took a taxi to the cochlear center with about 15 minutes to spare until my appointment with the audiologist.
I went to the kiosk and started keying in my information into the computer and verifying my name, address, etc. As I was doing so, I could hear the keys click as I pressed each key in response to the menu.
The good news is that as far as the audiogram is concerned for my right ear, with the cochlear implant, I am hearing where I should be hearing at this stage of hearing with two cochlear implants.
Because I started wearing a hearing aid in my right ear later in life, when it came to speech discrimination for my right ear, I was able to recognize two words and that was it. Understanding speech in my right ear continues to be challenging.
My audiologist and I discussed where I was as far as hearing with two cochlear implants. We went through mapping the right ear cochlear sound processor for my right ear, starting with low frequencies and working up to higher frequencies.
Right away I could hear my audiologists' fingers flying over the keys as she completed each sequence on the computer. I told her what I was hearing, what voices sound like, what noise sounds like. After the session, I said good-bye to my audiologist, as she is going on maternity leave and is expecting a baby (her second) in August.
I made my appointments for August with a substitute Audiologist and left the cochlear clinic. I got in a taxi and went to the train station for my return trip home. The trains were late arriving and departing due to the unusually warm weather. I went ahead and ate lunch at a cafe as the train was not expected to arrive for another hour and a half.
I ended up getting on the train at 2:00 PM instead of at 1:00 PM which made for a long day. I got off the train, made a stop at the women's bathroom and proceeded to the subway station.
One sound that the cochlear implants HASN'T helped with is the crinkling sound of a toilet paper seat liner or sheets of toilet paper. It was 88 degrees today with a heat index of 95. I was unaware that there was still a sheet or so of toilet paper stuck to the inside of my T-shirt over my bottom. A very kind woman came up to me and told me to check my behind. I did. I thanked her profusely.
Note to Self: Please, from now on, do a sweep of your lower back, and bottom and make sure there are NO seat liners or toilet paper sticking to you, especially during hot weather!!
So much for bilateral hearing. I still can't hear stuck toilet paper on me. It WAS noisy in the bathroom!
On the way home, I turned on National Public Radio and resolutely listened to the chatter, catching a word or a sentence here and there. I could hear applause and individual hands clapping as well. The thought occurred to me, you know how they have laugh tracks on television? Is that applause on National Public Radio real or canned? I have no idea.
I will have to ask someone that question. Hearing with two cochlear implants is priceless, even with stuck toilet paper on me!
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