I am still loving my implant. It has returned so much of my like to me. Situations that would have caused me much stress I now engage in with little to no thought. I started Nursing school in early October and am doing very well. Medical term are giving me a fit, some are so close in sound and spelling. It also appears that the medical field has an unspoken rule. (The simplest idea or concept must have no less than 7.4 words that could be used, depending on but not limited to, core body temperature, pupils and type of ambulation the patient is capable of... blah blah blah) Oh please it could even confuse a hearing person! LOL I am really enjoying being out in the real world with people who know little of my hearing history the one's that learn of it are shocked, saying they would never have known.
I have made a precious new friend that I believe has been brought to me by God himself. Her name is Pebbles and yes she is that cute. Her life lessons are speaking to me in many ways, so she is a great study partner on lessons of life and nursing. (Thanks Pebbles)
I must add a note about life outside of school. I MISS IT!!!! All I do is study, study and more studying. I have so many treasured friendships that have fallen to the side because of school. Please forgive me Dear Ones.
Katrina Note: Walter, Denise and James are back home in New Orleans, with very mixed emotions. It is home and they love that side of it but they say it is now so different. Their friends and loved one's are spread all over the country. The simple normalcy's of life are gone. Walter is working nonstop and being there is taking a toll on all of their health. Scott and Michelle are settling in well, they miss home but know it is best to be here, at least till after the baby is born.
It's time to hit the books again!!!
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
T-link or T-coil for phone
I am in heaven!!!! My great audie has really hooked me up this time! (Susie, thank you so much for this latest find). I have been talking on the phone and doing ok but I have to use a head-set or speaker phone and then I have it so loud that everyone can hear my conversation. The weight of the head-set causes my ci hook to cut into my ear and that hurts. Well no more!! I now have a silhouette t-coil with mic that sends the voice right into my ear (head). I am still learning to hear and some people are harder that others, but with time I know I will be successful with all voice types.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Picture dates!%#@#@%&^^*^**
For some strange reason the date on my camera got reset, they were all taken at the same time. Sorry for the confusion, and Beth "Half Runner" you look marvelous as do you Debbie "Mary Poppins" and Phyllis "Pochahonas".
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
I stepped on a sound!!!
For many years, I have hiked to LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains in near silence. Once I wore hearing aids and had a frightening experience with a jet that sounded like a bear to me. My aids had over-amplified an already loud and too close jet (I was at 6,593 feet altitude - the jet, at maybe 6,800 feet (way to close)). The aids did nothing to very little, in the way of helping me understand my hiking buddies. After that, I gave up on hearing my friends when we hike. Once we arrived at the lodge I could face them and speech read until night fall; the rest of the evening would resemble scenes from the "Blair Witch Project". (I would have to have a flashlight shining on their mouths).
Ok, I understood I was missing out on conversation but I had no idea I was missing so many wonderful sounds of nature. I did two hikes to the lodge this summer, one week apart. The first trip was with Mark, Matt, the Whites, a bunch of Matt's friends and Hurricane Dennis. Dennis showed up for the last leg of our hike, the steepest 2 miles of a five mile trip. The hike was rich with new sound experiences; birds, mountain streams and water run-offs. I loved being a part of the chit-chat in our group as well as descending hikers. When the rain started I suited up to protect my processor (hat and poncho)then I heard the rain "splatting" on the brim of my rain hat. It sounded so great and I was washed in memories of my childhood.
My next trip was with "the girls", Beth joined me for her first stay at the lodge. The sound that stood out to me the most, was the sound of my own steps. The stones under my boots, the squash of the earth & water under my feet, no matter where I stepped.... I just kept stepping on sounds! :~) It's amazing to me how much I forgot about sound and what makes it. There is a rock cliff where red squirrels come for handouts and I was able to hear their chatter! Evening at the lodge is rich with sound, from the noisy dining room, the roll sounds of the wooden rocking chairs, to the slam of the screen door and the squeak of the swing. I am delighting in all this familiar newness.
After our hike, Beth and I stayed a night in Cobbley Nob. The next morning I was up early on the porch reading, when I heard what sounded like a snake moving over the ground and to my surprise my ear was right!
Ok, I understood I was missing out on conversation but I had no idea I was missing so many wonderful sounds of nature. I did two hikes to the lodge this summer, one week apart. The first trip was with Mark, Matt, the Whites, a bunch of Matt's friends and Hurricane Dennis. Dennis showed up for the last leg of our hike, the steepest 2 miles of a five mile trip. The hike was rich with new sound experiences; birds, mountain streams and water run-offs. I loved being a part of the chit-chat in our group as well as descending hikers. When the rain started I suited up to protect my processor (hat and poncho)then I heard the rain "splatting" on the brim of my rain hat. It sounded so great and I was washed in memories of my childhood.
My next trip was with "the girls", Beth joined me for her first stay at the lodge. The sound that stood out to me the most, was the sound of my own steps. The stones under my boots, the squash of the earth & water under my feet, no matter where I stepped.... I just kept stepping on sounds! :~) It's amazing to me how much I forgot about sound and what makes it. There is a rock cliff where red squirrels come for handouts and I was able to hear their chatter! Evening at the lodge is rich with sound, from the noisy dining room, the roll sounds of the wooden rocking chairs, to the slam of the screen door and the squeak of the swing. I am delighting in all this familiar newness.
After our hike, Beth and I stayed a night in Cobbley Nob. The next morning I was up early on the porch reading, when I heard what sounded like a snake moving over the ground and to my surprise my ear was right!
Friday, July 08, 2005
Another trip to New Orleans
I am still having so much fun hearing. I have the most wonderful big sister and brother-in-law, who open their home to me and the kids when ever we ask. This trip we brought along one of Matt's friends, Alex. The boys are so into their music and jazz that we had to show them the musical side of N.O. This gave me more practice with my ci and I have found the more distance I put between myself and the band the better. I am enjoying it a little more but still hoping for additional improvement.
Denise and I had the best time, talking and being girlfriends. We stayed up late whispering and telling secrets! There where a few times I was to soft for her to hear, the whole while I am hearing her beautifully. One night we were in the Quarters and stopped to see a street artist playing tunes on wine glasses. He played "When the Saints go marching in" and "Rocky Top" (for Alex our Vols fan!). Denise had to tell me what he was playing but I was able to hear the sounds even if I could not decipher the tune.
Denise and I had the best time, talking and being girlfriends. We stayed up late whispering and telling secrets! There where a few times I was to soft for her to hear, the whole while I am hearing her beautifully. One night we were in the Quarters and stopped to see a street artist playing tunes on wine glasses. He played "When the Saints go marching in" and "Rocky Top" (for Alex our Vols fan!). Denise had to tell me what he was playing but I was able to hear the sounds even if I could not decipher the tune.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Star Wars
We just attended an opening day showing of the new Star Wars movie. It was so good to hear it, there is a animal in it that sounded like a sick turkey to me, when I asked Mark what it sounded like to him, he said the same.
This past weekend we went to a lake cabin and I really enjoyed all the sounds of nature, mostly the night sounds. I heard a few different frogs, crickets and many birds, it was a wonderful time. We stayed outside way past dark and I could still hear to converse. I also bought some CD's of old radio shows, "I love a mystery" and family classics, which we listened to. I understood some and hope to listen to them more as a form of auditory training.
Today I went to Maryville to have lunch with a new friend who is on the road toward getting herself a cochlear implant. Laurie is so excited and it's been fun to remember myself at that stage. I pray she does as well or better than I have, I know she will. She took me to the neatest little place for lunch and then a great knitting shop. Thanks for a pleasant time Laurie.
This past weekend we went to a lake cabin and I really enjoyed all the sounds of nature, mostly the night sounds. I heard a few different frogs, crickets and many birds, it was a wonderful time. We stayed outside way past dark and I could still hear to converse. I also bought some CD's of old radio shows, "I love a mystery" and family classics, which we listened to. I understood some and hope to listen to them more as a form of auditory training.
Today I went to Maryville to have lunch with a new friend who is on the road toward getting herself a cochlear implant. Laurie is so excited and it's been fun to remember myself at that stage. I pray she does as well or better than I have, I know she will. She took me to the neatest little place for lunch and then a great knitting shop. Thanks for a pleasant time Laurie.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Great weekend
This past weekend I was in Nashville for the Country Music Marathon and had a great time. I discovered another really wonderful thing about being able to hear, you don't miss the elevators. Call me crazy but this has been so frustrating in the past. A few years ago, while in Atlanta, I was staying in a hotel that had lots of elevators. I think there was ten, five on each side of the hall. I of course could not hear the "ding" when the doors opened and was always turned in the wrong direction. Thanks to my ci I now know when the elevator arrives. I still have to search for which one it is, because I hear everything from the right, but that's ok. I am proud to say, I didn't miss a single elevator the whole weekend.
I was also very comfortable getting around, asking directions and staying in the room by myself. Before my ci I would have deadbolted myself in the room for fear of housekeeping coming in without me knowing. I did forget my alarm and was unable to get a wakeup call. When the processor is off I can't hear a thing, but boy I sleep good. Snore away - it's fine with me.
Now I must brag!! Beth and I started this venture back in Oct. Then, with the news of my approval for the implant I felt I would not have enough time to train and fund raise, so I dropped out. (Here comes the bragging part) Beth on the other hand, hit the ground running and has not stopped. She raised more than 1800.00 for the Leukemia Society, has lost over 55 pounds and finished her first half marathon. Way to go girl--We are all so proud of you!
I was also very comfortable getting around, asking directions and staying in the room by myself. Before my ci I would have deadbolted myself in the room for fear of housekeeping coming in without me knowing. I did forget my alarm and was unable to get a wakeup call. When the processor is off I can't hear a thing, but boy I sleep good. Snore away - it's fine with me.
Now I must brag!! Beth and I started this venture back in Oct. Then, with the news of my approval for the implant I felt I would not have enough time to train and fund raise, so I dropped out. (Here comes the bragging part) Beth on the other hand, hit the ground running and has not stopped. She raised more than 1800.00 for the Leukemia Society, has lost over 55 pounds and finished her first half marathon. Way to go girl--We are all so proud of you!
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Day 70
70 days of sound! Still surprised by the things I am hearing. I went to my first not captioned movie, I went to see "A Lot Like Love" and I was able to hear most of it. I am having trouble with missing things because the processor does not recover fast enough after loud sounds cause the compression to kick in.
Today I have had a dull throb ear ache, nothing bad, I just feel a little off.
I watched "Ray" this evening and I enjoyed music for the first time. Music is one of the few things I have found I don't like through the ci. It just isn't very good, let's hope it gets better.
Oh! And the taste bud thing :o( NOTHING taste right. This is because they cut through one of the five taste bud nerves during surgery. I am shocked at how hard this part has been. Everyone told me I would get use to it. Well it's not happening for me. I am even gaining weight because of it! I just keep eating hoping that I will find something that taste normal. ;~) (Are you buying it?) Sound was, by all means, worth the deranged taste, it's just a part of my journey that I felt I should share. It is a blah taste, like you drank milk an hour ago. (I hate milk!) I still love my green tea and chi tea, things with lots of flavor taste best to me. Water with lime taste better to me than plain or lemon.
Today I have had a dull throb ear ache, nothing bad, I just feel a little off.
I watched "Ray" this evening and I enjoyed music for the first time. Music is one of the few things I have found I don't like through the ci. It just isn't very good, let's hope it gets better.
Oh! And the taste bud thing :o( NOTHING taste right. This is because they cut through one of the five taste bud nerves during surgery. I am shocked at how hard this part has been. Everyone told me I would get use to it. Well it's not happening for me. I am even gaining weight because of it! I just keep eating hoping that I will find something that taste normal. ;~) (Are you buying it?) Sound was, by all means, worth the deranged taste, it's just a part of my journey that I felt I should share. It is a blah taste, like you drank milk an hour ago. (I hate milk!) I still love my green tea and chi tea, things with lots of flavor taste best to me. Water with lime taste better to me than plain or lemon.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Life is good!!!
I am loving my ci!!!! I have done so much and have had so many wonderful ci moments, this might take awhile. A few weeks ago I attended a two day class on advanced esthetics and it was so great to see some of my old classmates. The best part was how well I did keeping up with the lectures. We even watched an instructional video (which was not captioned) and I understood every word! There were a few times when people in the back of the room would ask questions that I could not understand but overall I did very well. With hearing aids I would not have understood as much, and I would have had a splitting headache by the middle of the day.
Soon after, me and the boys went to New Orleans for spring break and had the best time. We acted like tourist to experience as much as my ears could stand. We went fishing deep in the bayou, where I listen to all kinds of birds and the sun was so bright I believe I heard it too. (Thank you spf 30) We went to and had our own crawfish boil which is always fun, but this time I was listening to everything. From the kids exciting crawfish races to the gurgle of those delicious mud bugs. ;-)
One evening after dark we went on a ghost tour with a female guide. There was lots of street noise, horses and cars passing, people talking, but I still understood almost everything! I placed myself close to the guide, but I did not have to speech read. My sister and I went walking one morning and it was great to keep my eyes on the path instead of having to watch her talk. My nephew was still very hard for me to understand. He talks very soft and fast. We went to his Easter Parade and they played some of the music way to loud. It bothered everyone but me, my wonderful ci lets the volume get just so loud, then it holds it. There's a perk! :)
The day we went fishing, the noise of the motor when we were at high speeds and the sound of the wind, I did not like, so I turned my processor off. Hearing people can't do that!!We went to my childhood church for Easter and I hated the music. They had a trumpet that I got over real quick.
Many people have commented on the changes in my personality. Friends and family are noticing the old Susan coming back to life. Many have also noticed a change in my speech. They never admitted that my speech was suffering, but now they say the change has made them realize that it had.
Lastly, enjoyed the road trip more then usual. I felt safer when I talked to them because I could keep my eyes on the road. I listened to books-on-tape, the kids could sleep because I did not need them to help me stay awake. It seemed to go so much faster for me. It's just so good-- LIFE IS GOOD.
Soon after, me and the boys went to New Orleans for spring break and had the best time. We acted like tourist to experience as much as my ears could stand. We went fishing deep in the bayou, where I listen to all kinds of birds and the sun was so bright I believe I heard it too. (Thank you spf 30) We went to and had our own crawfish boil which is always fun, but this time I was listening to everything. From the kids exciting crawfish races to the gurgle of those delicious mud bugs. ;-)
One evening after dark we went on a ghost tour with a female guide. There was lots of street noise, horses and cars passing, people talking, but I still understood almost everything! I placed myself close to the guide, but I did not have to speech read. My sister and I went walking one morning and it was great to keep my eyes on the path instead of having to watch her talk. My nephew was still very hard for me to understand. He talks very soft and fast. We went to his Easter Parade and they played some of the music way to loud. It bothered everyone but me, my wonderful ci lets the volume get just so loud, then it holds it. There's a perk! :)
The day we went fishing, the noise of the motor when we were at high speeds and the sound of the wind, I did not like, so I turned my processor off. Hearing people can't do that!!We went to my childhood church for Easter and I hated the music. They had a trumpet that I got over real quick.
Many people have commented on the changes in my personality. Friends and family are noticing the old Susan coming back to life. Many have also noticed a change in my speech. They never admitted that my speech was suffering, but now they say the change has made them realize that it had.
Lastly, enjoyed the road trip more then usual. I felt safer when I talked to them because I could keep my eyes on the road. I listened to books-on-tape, the kids could sleep because I did not need them to help me stay awake. It seemed to go so much faster for me. It's just so good-- LIFE IS GOOD.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
I have been busy hearing
I have been so busy hearing there has been little time to post. I am still enjoying the birds. Mark bought me this hand held machine that has all kinds of birds and the sounds they make. I have had the best time talking with the birds on my deck. I will see a robin and do it's call with my sound machine and then he will answer me back, it's so cool. Then yesterday I took my shower and looked out the window to see a cardinal was visiting the feeder so I ran and got my sound machine to play with him and the darn thing was not working. I tried it, nothing, shook it and tried it again, nothing. Then I realized I had not put my processor back on. Oops! Sometimes I just get so lost in not hearing, I forget. But then when I put the processor back on, wow, boy it is so shocking when I take it off, it is like from all to nothing.
Last weekend we went to the mountains, my mom and brother where in the back of the van, an impossible setup for my hearing in the past. So I hooked up my mic that came with my processor and clipped it to the back of my seat and I could hear them so good. I even heard my mom on her cell phone talking to my sister. I did not understand Denise but I could make out when she was saying something. Seth was playing his gameboy in the far back and I could hear it too. Mark is always telling the boys to turn the sound off their toys, I would tell him to chill out and to let them hear their sounds. Well guess who's over all the nonsense toy sounds. LOL
Tonight it is storming, I thought it must be really bad out from the sound of it. I then went on the porch and it really was not that bad, I just have not heard a storm in all it's glory for so long.
Last weekend we went to the mountains, my mom and brother where in the back of the van, an impossible setup for my hearing in the past. So I hooked up my mic that came with my processor and clipped it to the back of my seat and I could hear them so good. I even heard my mom on her cell phone talking to my sister. I did not understand Denise but I could make out when she was saying something. Seth was playing his gameboy in the far back and I could hear it too. Mark is always telling the boys to turn the sound off their toys, I would tell him to chill out and to let them hear their sounds. Well guess who's over all the nonsense toy sounds. LOL
Tonight it is storming, I thought it must be really bad out from the sound of it. I then went on the porch and it really was not that bad, I just have not heard a storm in all it's glory for so long.
Monday, February 28, 2005
I was trained and mapped today, it made for a great day!
I feel so positive today. I went to auditory training this morning. Susie the audiologist who is working with me, and is one of best, noted that I was having trouble discriminating t,p,h,m and n, in isolated words. She shows me pictures and then says a word and I have to show her what she has said, making fun of some of the pictures as we work. Susie has also ordered the "Sound and Beyond" software, which I am looking forward to working with. I then had an appointment for my third mapping.
Aimee my new greatest audi was so informative and great today. She used a audiogram that shows where different sounds are as far as loudness and frequencies. She then put in my old measurements, before the implant, and then my new measurements, which I have posted below. CI stands for where I was testing today at the volume I was wearing it when I was missing words in therapy. CI-2 is where I tested it when I turned the processor up to the volume level the computer suggested. Well, as you can see it brings me to near-normal hearing. Perception is another matter, but I am getting there too.
Aimee also made a few changes that I am really liking so far. She changed "sensitivity" to "volume" control and added "sound processing" this will cut down the obtrusively loud sounds. So far so good,ok really, I am loving it. I came home with it on mid volume, P1 and I have already worked up to P2 mid volume. I have had water running and it is not overwhelming like before. I can hear my fountain and it sounds about the level I would think it should. I still don't like the sound of a chip bag, but hey maybe it's time to give up chips. I feel like I am back on my cloud again. By the way, we saw a gorgeous rainbow this evening, it's been a very good day.
Aimee my new greatest audi was so informative and great today. She used a audiogram that shows where different sounds are as far as loudness and frequencies. She then put in my old measurements, before the implant, and then my new measurements, which I have posted below. CI stands for where I was testing today at the volume I was wearing it when I was missing words in therapy. CI-2 is where I tested it when I turned the processor up to the volume level the computer suggested. Well, as you can see it brings me to near-normal hearing. Perception is another matter, but I am getting there too.
Aimee also made a few changes that I am really liking so far. She changed "sensitivity" to "volume" control and added "sound processing" this will cut down the obtrusively loud sounds. So far so good,ok really, I am loving it. I came home with it on mid volume, P1 and I have already worked up to P2 mid volume. I have had water running and it is not overwhelming like before. I can hear my fountain and it sounds about the level I would think it should. I still don't like the sound of a chip bag, but hey maybe it's time to give up chips. I feel like I am back on my cloud again. By the way, we saw a gorgeous rainbow this evening, it's been a very good day.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Two weeks of sound
What a busy week I have had, full of sound. Things have calmed down since my last mapping, I still can't handle as much volume as they say I should but I think I am doing great. We had a few beautiful days last week and I loved being outside with my CI. I could hear so many things. Iko and I went for a walk and I could hear the leaves under his feet. The birds sang and sang for me. I stopped by the creek and listened to the water, many times I was almost brought to tears. Cars are still sneaking up on me, but once they are close to me they seem really loud.
I went to a doctors office and the reception desk was out of sight from the waiting room. They called my name to update records and I heard them! It was so great! They called out a few other names and I did not understand them but I got mine and that's all that mattered.
On Friday, I went to auditory training and it went well. I have a female doing the therapy which is my biggest challenge but greatest blessing. I will be going twice a week for training and tomorrow I go for my third mapping. I also used the phone last week and did pretty well. I am working with books on tape but I still have to follow along with the book to know what is being said.
Now a beauty note, I got my hair cut yesterday. Not much, but I wanted to find a better way to wear it, to hide the processor. I don't mind people seeing it, but I do mind them staring. Mark said they are just trying to figure out how my new phone works and how they can get one, lol.
I am going to be posting when ever I have a ci moment to share, but I am finding more and more that I am to busy listening to be on the computer. Oh I almost forgot we were working on the baseboards and Mark went in the garage, I was up stairs and I heard him using the saw. I could tell when he was cutting and when he stopped. I also heard his beeper, he has been on call for 18 years and I have never heard his beeper before.
I went to a doctors office and the reception desk was out of sight from the waiting room. They called my name to update records and I heard them! It was so great! They called out a few other names and I did not understand them but I got mine and that's all that mattered.
On Friday, I went to auditory training and it went well. I have a female doing the therapy which is my biggest challenge but greatest blessing. I will be going twice a week for training and tomorrow I go for my third mapping. I also used the phone last week and did pretty well. I am working with books on tape but I still have to follow along with the book to know what is being said.
Now a beauty note, I got my hair cut yesterday. Not much, but I wanted to find a better way to wear it, to hide the processor. I don't mind people seeing it, but I do mind them staring. Mark said they are just trying to figure out how my new phone works and how they can get one, lol.
I am going to be posting when ever I have a ci moment to share, but I am finding more and more that I am to busy listening to be on the computer. Oh I almost forgot we were working on the baseboards and Mark went in the garage, I was up stairs and I heard him using the saw. I could tell when he was cutting and when he stopped. I also heard his beeper, he has been on call for 18 years and I have never heard his beeper before.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Second mapping
Tomorrow will be a week and this is really hard. I feel so overwhelmed with all the noise I am hearing. They said that I would not have the pain that I had with hearing aids and I don't but there is still something that is at the brink of pain. Scary thought, what if it me??? What if I just hate sound--what if I just want selective sounds? Hey, you know how I wanted to hear the birds. Well I hear them, all the time!!! Even when they are not around. My tinnitus is going crazy, but at least it sounds like pretty birds.
We change program 1 and left program 2 alone. I seemed to do ok with the new one until I changed back to the old one and having it to compare to lets me know that it was not so bad. I go back next Monday so will work with both to see the pros and cons of each.
We change program 1 and left program 2 alone. I seemed to do ok with the new one until I changed back to the old one and having it to compare to lets me know that it was not so bad. I go back next Monday so will work with both to see the pros and cons of each.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Baby steps
Yesterday was day 3 of sound and I slipped a little from cloud 9, but not far. Had lunch with a good friend in a very noisy restaurant and I experienced pain and throbbing in my inner ear. By the time evening came my neck and jaw were so tense. I believe we have the comfort (c-level)set to high. I go Monday for another mapping. I guess I can always take a weekend break from sound but.... Naaaah... It's not that bad! I still love it, I will just stay out of loud places for now.
Today Seth, out of the blue came and told me how happy he is to be alive. I was washed by his voice and words as well as his sentiment and I thought "Me too, son. Me too." I can't wait to listen and walk, listen and run, listen and fly, listen and live -- again! Some times I am embarrassed by the fact that I let myself pull back so far from the person I once was. I am seeing more clearly how strong a person I really am, and forced retreat is not something I plan on allowing.
Today Seth, out of the blue came and told me how happy he is to be alive. I was washed by his voice and words as well as his sentiment and I thought "Me too, son. Me too." I can't wait to listen and walk, listen and run, listen and fly, listen and live -- again! Some times I am embarrassed by the fact that I let myself pull back so far from the person I once was. I am seeing more clearly how strong a person I really am, and forced retreat is not something I plan on allowing.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Heres a MOVIE of How It's done,,a little graphic rated gorey
http://www.tampabayhearing.com/Videos/Surgeries/ABHR90KMinInsLBartelsMD.wmv
You can click on this link for the surgical (explicit) way a Cochlear Impant is performed. It starts with still pictures and then shows the drilling on the bone !!!!!!
You can click on this link for the surgical (explicit) way a Cochlear Impant is performed. It starts with still pictures and then shows the drilling on the bone !!!!!!
Activation DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh wow.... We have blast off! I will try to describe what is indescribable.
The first hour of hook-up was full of sound but only in my head, they where setting levels and stuff through a body -worn processor. I heard a bunch of sounds or beep series that were loud but not painful. Everything was working great they said and it was time to turn it on. Boy what a surprise, but not a shock! I am pleased to say my ci friends had prepared me well. Everyone has told me how bad it would be at first and guess what, they were right!!!! I sounded so weird and I could not understand anything. Everyone was talking and asking me questions. It was all just to much to take in. After a few minutes things started to settle down and it went from really bad to 'ok this is interesting'.
I listened and asked 'what is that sound' often. We moved up three levels in volume in about 45 minutes. I was then shown all my wires and stuff; good thing we drove the van for all the accessories. Then they put the programs in my little 3G behind the ear processor. I was very confused by all the sound and did not do very well with setting up next mapping or saying our good -byes. On the way to lunch with family and friends I was feeling overwhelmed but not to disappointed. The restaurant was very noisy and I had to speech read everyone, I was understanding nothing aurally.
First ci moment came as we were leaving, in the parking lot my son asked if I could hear the birds. The interstate was very close and I first said ,"no; all I hear is the roar of traffic", but then I stopped and listened very close......BIRDS!!!!!
I could hear the birds and over the traffic. I thought everyone was going to cry.
On the way home Seth my 10 year old told me 'Mom I am so proud of you', Matthew (16) dittoed it. Now I was really fighting tears.
On our deck at home we listened to more birds visiting the new bird feed a faith gift my sister gave me the day after my surgery. (Denise - I hear the birds,
Thank you) In the house I hear this strange little sound that turns out to be our dogs toenails on the wood floor. I am thinking - doggie slippers were just invented.(smile) It's been a big day and it only 2pm, nap time.
Mark and I met friends for dinner (Jerry and Evelyn, he is a fellow ci-er). Same thing the place was noisy but I did ok comparing hookup and surgery stories. Evelyn rode with us over to the hospital where we have our SHHH meeting. While in the car I noticed how much I was hearing her voice. She is very soft and has always been hard for me to understand. I said " I think I hear you so well I could understand you with my eyes closed". Mark was quick to challenge me to try. I COULD HEAR HER EVERY WORD!!!! I am just amazed how much better I am doing in just a few hours.
I am so tired from all the sound and excitement, I must call it a day. Thanks for letting me share.
Warmly,
Susan
The first hour of hook-up was full of sound but only in my head, they where setting levels and stuff through a body -worn processor. I heard a bunch of sounds or beep series that were loud but not painful. Everything was working great they said and it was time to turn it on. Boy what a surprise, but not a shock! I am pleased to say my ci friends had prepared me well. Everyone has told me how bad it would be at first and guess what, they were right!!!! I sounded so weird and I could not understand anything. Everyone was talking and asking me questions. It was all just to much to take in. After a few minutes things started to settle down and it went from really bad to 'ok this is interesting'.
I listened and asked 'what is that sound' often. We moved up three levels in volume in about 45 minutes. I was then shown all my wires and stuff; good thing we drove the van for all the accessories. Then they put the programs in my little 3G behind the ear processor. I was very confused by all the sound and did not do very well with setting up next mapping or saying our good -byes. On the way to lunch with family and friends I was feeling overwhelmed but not to disappointed. The restaurant was very noisy and I had to speech read everyone, I was understanding nothing aurally.
First ci moment came as we were leaving, in the parking lot my son asked if I could hear the birds. The interstate was very close and I first said ,"no; all I hear is the roar of traffic", but then I stopped and listened very close......BIRDS!!!!!
I could hear the birds and over the traffic. I thought everyone was going to cry.
On the way home Seth my 10 year old told me 'Mom I am so proud of you', Matthew (16) dittoed it. Now I was really fighting tears.
On our deck at home we listened to more birds visiting the new bird feed a faith gift my sister gave me the day after my surgery. (Denise - I hear the birds,
Thank you) In the house I hear this strange little sound that turns out to be our dogs toenails on the wood floor. I am thinking - doggie slippers were just invented.(smile) It's been a big day and it only 2pm, nap time.
Mark and I met friends for dinner (Jerry and Evelyn, he is a fellow ci-er). Same thing the place was noisy but I did ok comparing hookup and surgery stories. Evelyn rode with us over to the hospital where we have our SHHH meeting. While in the car I noticed how much I was hearing her voice. She is very soft and has always been hard for me to understand. I said " I think I hear you so well I could understand you with my eyes closed". Mark was quick to challenge me to try. I COULD HEAR HER EVERY WORD!!!! I am just amazed how much better I am doing in just a few hours.
I am so tired from all the sound and excitement, I must call it a day. Thanks for letting me share.
Warmly,
Susan
Monday, February 14, 2005
Cochlear Implant Journey
Hello to all. My name is Susan and this is my Journey to Sound. I started losing my hearing in my mid-twenties, now have a profound bilateral sensorineural loss. On Jan. 18,2005 I was implanted with the Nucleus 3 cochlear implant. I had my surgery done at Children's Hospital by Dr. John Little.
Two and ahalf years ago I went through all of the evaluation processes to get an implant and at that time I was told to wait until my hearing and understanding dropped just a little more.
Over the next two years, I met more people with ci (cochlear implants) who where doing so well that I decided to try again. Yeah?? I had lost more hearing and now could get the implant. I had a months wait, in which time I did a lot of thinking, stewing, and drove my family crazy.
Some of my fears were the obvious; death, bleeding, pain, facial paralysis, and so on. Then there were other fears that seemed abstract and weird. I wondered if others would feel the same about me, or if I would feel the same about myself. Was I sidestepping God? Were there things I needed to learn that I had not? As a few close friends had told me, I was thinking way to much.
Jan. 18th. Tuesday we arrived at the hospital at 8:30 am, Mark drinking his Starbucks while I longed for my Chai Tea Latte (NPO). I knitted and bounced of the walls till about twelve when they finally came for me. I felt such fear, words can not express! Then the tears just fell while I tried to apologize to my family, I was just so scared. The next thing I know it's over!! No dizzyness, no balance problems, things were not to bad. They brought me something for pain which I soon learned I was allergic to. I got sick to my stomach a few times in the hospital and once on the trip home. We changed my meds and I was soon resting nicely.
The next day I saw Dr. Little to remove my big turbin bandage. Wow it felt good to get that thing off, it is put on very tightly. I was told I could wash my hair on Friday of that week. Monday, one week after surgery the steri-stips were taken off and the incision looked very good. I would not say I had much pain: it was more discomfort. It was very hard sleeping. My implant is on the right side which is my sleeping side. My neck and jaw ached for about three weeks. Even now when I open my mouth wide; it sometimes hurts. The incision site has a dull ache with numbness.
My residual hearing in the implanted ear is now completely gone. This has not affected me as much as I had feared, but has made sound direction even harder for me. I have to be looking at you, to hear what you are saying. All that will hopefully change tomorrow when we finally turn the implant on. I am starting with the 'behind the ear' - 3G processor. People are telling me not to expect much at first, things will sound really weird.
That's all for now, I will keep everyone posted.
Love,
Susan
Two and ahalf years ago I went through all of the evaluation processes to get an implant and at that time I was told to wait until my hearing and understanding dropped just a little more.
Over the next two years, I met more people with ci (cochlear implants) who where doing so well that I decided to try again. Yeah?? I had lost more hearing and now could get the implant. I had a months wait, in which time I did a lot of thinking, stewing, and drove my family crazy.
Some of my fears were the obvious; death, bleeding, pain, facial paralysis, and so on. Then there were other fears that seemed abstract and weird. I wondered if others would feel the same about me, or if I would feel the same about myself. Was I sidestepping God? Were there things I needed to learn that I had not? As a few close friends had told me, I was thinking way to much.
Jan. 18th. Tuesday we arrived at the hospital at 8:30 am, Mark drinking his Starbucks while I longed for my Chai Tea Latte (NPO). I knitted and bounced of the walls till about twelve when they finally came for me. I felt such fear, words can not express! Then the tears just fell while I tried to apologize to my family, I was just so scared. The next thing I know it's over!! No dizzyness, no balance problems, things were not to bad. They brought me something for pain which I soon learned I was allergic to. I got sick to my stomach a few times in the hospital and once on the trip home. We changed my meds and I was soon resting nicely.
The next day I saw Dr. Little to remove my big turbin bandage. Wow it felt good to get that thing off, it is put on very tightly. I was told I could wash my hair on Friday of that week. Monday, one week after surgery the steri-stips were taken off and the incision looked very good. I would not say I had much pain: it was more discomfort. It was very hard sleeping. My implant is on the right side which is my sleeping side. My neck and jaw ached for about three weeks. Even now when I open my mouth wide; it sometimes hurts. The incision site has a dull ache with numbness.
My residual hearing in the implanted ear is now completely gone. This has not affected me as much as I had feared, but has made sound direction even harder for me. I have to be looking at you, to hear what you are saying. All that will hopefully change tomorrow when we finally turn the implant on. I am starting with the 'behind the ear' - 3G processor. People are telling me not to expect much at first, things will sound really weird.
That's all for now, I will keep everyone posted.
Love,
Susan
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