It’s been quiet as there hasn’t been anything to report. Don’t want to bore y’all with little or no progress. There hasn’t been anything new in the news with regard to CIs. I’m getting used to it and am more comfortable with it. Some days, I get so sensitive to it and a bad headache, …
Category: Implant Experience
Myths and Lies about CIs
Apparently there are Myths and Lies about Cochlear Implants spreading. The article attempts to stop misinformation using strong tones. My thoughts: Lie #1: It doesn’t give the whole story. The doctor did drill a hole to insert the implant. The implant is right beneath the skin behind my ear. No hole, just a small bump. …
Computer Noises
Just discovered another sound I had never heard before, the computer’s fan. I heard a constant stream of a high-pitched noise and asked Paul about it. First, he said it was the ice maker. I didn’t think it was that because it didn’t sound like ice crashing. As soon as the sound stopped, I told …
CI Moment
In the discussion lists for cochlear implants, people write about what’s called a “CI moment.” This is a description of a new experience in hearing with the CI. I just had a major CI moment. I kept hearing soft rhythmic beeps. I asked Paul what it was, but he said he didn’t hear anything. I …
Batteries Not Included
One thing I’ve always hated about hearing aids was the frequent battery changes. That doesn’t stop with the CI. Right now, I am using two rechargeable double-AA batteries in the processor. I have to change them every day as they last about 12 hours. The disposable ones last about three days, but I hate to …
MAPping
Yesterday was the second mapping day. MAPping (Yes, MAP is all uppercase, but no one can explain it. Strange.) is the process for creating the listening program for the speech processor. The processor stores the information unique to my needs to allow me to hear. The audiologist does the MAPping by connecting the speech processor …
Physical Therapy
Today I went back to Southwestern for physical therapy and a mapping session. The physical therapy was for the vestibular problems I’ve been having since the surgery (wooziness, lightheadedness, eye pain). The vertigo (room spinning) ended within a few days after surgery. It’s the other stuff I’ve been having causing my inability to walk in …
New Tools and Technology
Phonak and Cochlear To Develop Hearing Systems to address an unmet medical need, where current external hearing aids, cochlear implants, and middle ear implants (MEIs) cannot provide effective benefits to patients. A new Internet tool is available to parents to help them monitor their babies’ progress in early speech development. Vocal Development has been designed …
Hearing Loss History
I can’t believe I never explained the cause of my hearing loss and the history. That’s one of the first questions I ask others. I was born profoundly deaf 90-100 db loss, and it was nerve-related (sensorineural hearing loss). My parents figured it out when I was about six months old because I wouldn’t react …
Sound Progress
It’s been three days since I got hooked up. People are asking how it sounds. It sounds like things aren’t loud enough… but if I make it louder, it will not be comfortable. A lot of sounds translate into high pitched sounds as I still have to get used to them. The most important sound …