My first talk - 28th January

I had been asked to attend the User Group at the SOECIC to give out a talk about my own experience. I met another CI called Lesley who also been asked to come along and talk her own journey. She was a lovely person to meet. It was really nice to share our own experiences even though we were a little nervous in front of others who were thinking about having a CI! Nikki the Hearing Therapist who conducted the group, asked us some questions. The audience were a mixture of ages and at the beginning, they looked a bit petrified! I think in the end, they were more relaxed as me and Lesley made them understand better listening to CI users. We received a praise as they clapped for us. We felt even lucky as Nikki said that, the audience in the past user groups have never clapped before so we were the first ones!!

Welcome to 2009!

Here I am writing my first post for 2009. Since I had my monthly tune up, there have been some small improvements with my implant and surprisingly, little noises have crept up on me! I have been told by some people that my speech has improved and that I speak more clearly. I’m still picking up the odd word without looking at their lips. More interestingly I have been able to hear my parents’ pretty well from a distance. The other task I wanted to try was to have a group conversation. I managed to get some of it but I know it just takes time. I was in Birmingham for Christmas and we had a big family dinner. There were some people that I hadn’t met before and I had the chance to understand them when meeting for the first time. Although they had a “brummie” accent and it took a while to understand them in the end.

During the past few weeks, I had been catching up with some friends who have young children. I have never been able to understand what young children are saying unless they talk to me very clearly in front of me! I caught up with my friend Joanne with her two twins, Keira and Jack. The twins adore me so much, crying out for my attention. I really loved seeing them. They have said the odd words and I hope when they get older, I will be able to understand them better. On 19th December I became an Aunty for the second time to Dannan (Danny). He is absolutely beautiful! I’m still practising understanding my other nephew Zac who is only 2. I’m determined to interact more with children and communicate better with them.

What have I heard more so far.....? The fireworks on NYE and I have never heard anything so LOUD!!!! I love hearing birds singing in the mornings... the washing machine alerts when I’m in the next room... supermarket announcement - got some of the words “special offer” and “buy one get one free!” I have listened to my IPod more and I can hear some of the lyrics. One morning I had Rice Krispies for breakfast and I actually heard SNAP, CRACKLE and POP!!!!

The best thing that has happened to me in 2008.... Well I would definitely say having the cochlear implant. It was exactly a year ago I had decided to explore my options of having a CI and I'm really pleased I have made it happen.

As the New Year has arrived, I’m really excited to discover more with my implant and have more practice with conversations. I would like to try my luck using the telephone/mobile and communicate with my family and friends more. I’m hoping to get involved more and help others who are thinking about having a CI.

Monthly activation

What a week! I went back to full time basis at work this week and it has been tiring! I had been picking up news sounds which was incredible! One morning on my way to work, I passed by a river and I heard the ducks quacking at a distance! I really couldn't believe it and maybe they were trying to catch my attention to test me!

Yesterday was an exciting day as I had my monthly tune up and activation. I had a hearing test with the CI implant and hearing aid with CUNY (with lipreading) and BKB (without lipreading). Here are the results showing before implant and with implant:

CUNY - 16% before implant and 61% with implant
BKB - 73% before implant and 95% with implant

I was really pleased with the outcome and didn't expect to achieve a higher percentage! I have noticed recently that I have been picking up new small sounds but also catch the odd word or two. I have started to practice conversations with people without looking at their lips but it will take time. Now I'm looking forward to hearing more unusual sounds!

Back to normal!

I know I haven't written for a little while. The past few weeks has been touch and go trying to adjust to normal life. I returned to work last week with part time hours for a 2-week trial. When entering into my office for the first time, it was actually noisy, (although I work in an open plan office). I could almost hear what everyone is doing! I really can't stand hearing the paper rustling! It just felt good to hear another person talking across the room. Now I realised how hearing people has to put up with when I missed out on these things. I was a little nervous when I caught the train (as I commute every day) and I could just about hear every single thing going on in the carriage! The announcement drives me insane!

I'm getting used to my implant now and I have picked up little things that it hasn't occured before. It makes me smile and even more excited what more is to come! I have my tune up next week so it'll be interesting to see what my audiogram looks like and see if it has improved.

2nd Tuning

Since I got switched on, I have found myself asking "what's that". The hardest part was putting the processor on every morning because it sounded like a loud and bashing squeaky sound. It soon calmed down afterwards. I went back for my 2nd tuning today and this time my dad came with me for moral support. When I waited at the centre, I could hear the clock ticking. I met Helen again and recognised her voice well. We did some tests with the implant alone and I had to hear 3 beeps in sequence. She made some adjustments that made me feel comfortable and I had to concentrate really hard. Then a few moments later, I found it too loud because it was shaking my brain a bit!! Afterwards I had a rehab and met Julie, the Speech Therapist and we talked about using the syllables. I had some practice to see if I could hear her voice using the implant. I did really well but will continue to practice. I am heading back again on Tuesday for my weekly audiology.

Switch on - Guy Fawkes!!

The moment of the truth finally arrived! I was feeling calm, excited and not too nervous because I wasn't expecting too much to happen. My mum came with me to watch the switch on. I met Helen the Audiologist and she explained the procedure and I removed my other hearing aid. I placed my processor on my head for the very first time and I was being so careful about the magnet as it met. It felt strange wearing it but I soon got used to it after a while. I was prepared to hear some beeps sounds. Helen discovered that 22 electrodes were working and only one of them doesn't work but that didn't make any difference. So I was raring to go and then 5 minutes later I heard the beeps!!! It made me jump but it certainly made me smile! That was a good sign and then she turned it on. It certainly made me smile even more! Helen was talking to me and I picked up some of what she said. It sounded so squeaky! My mum was asked to say something to see if I could hear her well. I understood her sounds but too not clear. We both felt emotional and tried not to have tears because we were both happy that the impant was really working. I found it a bit clear once I put my hearing aid back on and I was getting the balance of hearing from both ears. As time went by, I began to understand Helen a bit clear and when she was picking up some paperwork, I could hear the paper rustling and it drove me mad!!! I certainly heard my voice well too! Helen made some adjustments to my processor that suits me. I was given "program 1" and then I would come back 2 days later (Friday) for another tuning. I was keen to go outside and see what I could hear. I didn't pick up much and once we drove home, I actually heard the car indicators for the first time and it made me happy! I picked up so many little things for the rest of the day, for example we decided to go to the supermarket. I was pushing the trolley along the aisle and all the sudden I heard a man's voice behind me (didn't understand what he said but just the tone of his voice) and I never heard it before. When I got home I wanted to email my dad how it went and I couldn't believe I could even hear the keyboard tapping as I typed!! I was really pleased by today's events and the emotions I faced. I felt so worn out by early evening. I know I just have to be patient and know it will get clearer as time goes by.

Date for the Switch On

I received a letter this morning that 5th November has been set for my switch on which is under 2 weeks! Wow - I can't believe how the time has gone quick since my operation.

I'm slowly getting better each day. Sometimes I just lose balance and feel dizzy. Yesterday I went out for the first time on my own. It was good to get out of the house for a bit and get some fresh air. I have been having trouble sleeping on my implanted side as the scar is still a bit swollen. I guess that will take time to heal properly. My hair is still growing back fast!