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 to the computer and getting feedback from me. An optimal MAP is by determining the softest level I can hear, the most comfortable loud sound I can hear, and the pitch range for each electrode. The MAP is updated and adjusted easily as I get used to hearing sounds.
I sat there with my eyes closed because after listening to these beeps or sounds, I start thinking that I’m imagining them. That was always a problem when taking hearing tests. The audiologist (Cheryl, this time) and I walked through each electrode, which carries a different frequency or pitch, and I let her know when it gets uncomfortable. I also let her know when I heard sound.
I have four new programs on the speech processor and whew boy, they’re loud. I had to adjust the sensitivity and volume, but I think I heard a few things I didn’t normally hear with my hearing aids when in a different room from the sound.
When I got home and went to my room to do things, Paul came in and had me jumping out of my seat. The loudness of the sounds caught me off guard. As usual, I need to adapt to the new programming and do auditory exercises.