Saturday, April 11, 2009

Continued...

You can probably guess what happens next. My hearing had gotten worse. A lot worse. My hearing aids were maxed out, but that still didn't sound any better. This led to my first considering of getting a cochlear implant.

It was a really difficult decision to make, as someone who still could hear and understand some speech, but I decided to go for it. Which just led to many more decisions that had to be made. What brand? Which ear? (and most importantly) What color processors?!

So finally, in May of 2007 I was implanted with the Nucleus Freedom in my right ear. Surgery and recovery were a breeze. When it was first turned on three weeks later, it initially sounded like a series of tones and beeps. Within hours that went away, and it sounded extremely high-pitched (Mickey Mouse on helium). Sure it was weird, but it was also pretty funny! Within about a week or so, the sounds all started coming together and I could understand speech. I had always thought I heard pretty well with my hearing aids, but I was suddenly discovering all of these sounds I never even knew existed! I heard rain for the first time. The sound of rain absolutely delighted me (and still does!) It rained every day that summer, and I enjoyed every second of it!

Some other sounds I heard for the first time were:
  • air-conditioning
  • sizzling of food one the stove
  • crickets
  • the /s/ sound
  • clocks ticking
  • the sound that a tissue makes as you crumple it up
  • quiet music playing in stores, restaurants, waiting rooms, etc.
  • the sound of keyboards/mouse when you press on them

One day soon after my activation, my sister and I were sitting around playing some kind of game. I kept hearing a repetitive clicking sound, and just could not figure out what it was! After doing some investigating of when I heard the sound, my sister discovered it was m dog's nails hitting the floor! I had absolutely no idea it made a noise! From that day on, my dog was never able to sneak up on me again!

Not only could I suddenly hear new things, I could understand what people said so much better. The word "what" became a lot less common in everyday conversations. It's so awesome to be able to eavesdrop on what people are saying from the other room! I also love being able to know what my friends say when they whisper a secret in my ear.

I have no regrets with choosing to get an implant!

4 comments:

  1. LOVE YOUR BLOG! So cute, especially the pink CI picture as your header. You make me smile, and I can't wait to read more of your story!

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  2. Thanks Elizabeth! You're so sweet :)

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  3. Lol..."most importantly, what color processors?"
    More lol..."mickey mouse on helium"
    and some more "sound a tissue makes when u crumple it up"
    Fun stuff..."EAVESDROPPING!" hehe

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  4. Hello,

    Thank you for your blog. I loved the 'The sound of rain absolutely delighted me (and still does!) It rained every day that summer, and I enjoyed every second of it!' bit. :-)

    My daugther was born with profound hearing loss in both the ears and has recieved bilateral CI when she was 9 months old. She is 1.5 years now. For now the results from her implants has been remarkable. So much so that for large part we forget that she is deaf.

    However, when I try to research a bit on the feedback of people who have recieved CI, the option is a bit mixed. It leaves me confused ( and a bit anxious too).

    I read people saying it didnot help them much and was too much of a hassle adjusting to when I also read about people who say they find it remarkably helpful . And then there is also this prevailing 'medical' caution that ' CI is nowhere close to real hearing', which our audiologist refuses to accept.

    Would you be able to share your view on this please? I just want to prepared to give her the best that she can get.

    JAS


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