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!!
Monday, August 20, 2012
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.
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