Talk To The Hand is a review of a play in Minneapolis about a deaf mother and son and a hearing father who embraces the deaf culture. A doctor suggests looking into a cochlear implant and the plot thickens.
Reading eBooks
Here’s a great way to practice listening skills. Download the free Microsoft Reader and it’ll read books out loud while highlighting the text. Currently, they’re offering free eBooks every week, but these aren’t read out loud. But, I’d be willing to buy books to practice listening. Unfortunately, my @()#*$ sound driver isn’t working right. Gotta get it fixed before paying the rent.
Great news! Cochlear came through! I emailed them about my disappointment and misunderstanding with the color of the CI. They said they will contact my audiologist and arrange a swap. That’s what I call awesome customer service. Cochlear rules!
ESPrit 3G
I went in for a MAPping session and walked away with a ESPrit 3G. This is the behind the ear device. In other words, no more cord to get caught on things or for baby to grab and no pager-sized device pulling down my clothes!
I’m disappointed because I wanted the silver one and got beige. Every hearing aid I’ve had was beige, so I’m sick of it. If you look at the photo on the page, the top part is the part of which I speak. The bottom part (you’ll see a hot pink one) is interchangeable. Color may seem like a silly thing to care about, but I hated wearing my hair pulled back all these years because of the ugly beige thing. The silver would’ve looked sharp.
No one’s fault. My audie asked what color microphone I wanted and I didn’t know what she was talking about. I figured it was just a little piece. Bah. Too late to exchange.
I’m in a bad mood for other reasons, so excuse me if my excitement is contained. Next time I go in for MAPping, the audie will do a test so we can see how much my hearing has changed.
My ear has been hurting. Have a sharp throbbing pain. It comes and goes. The doctor took a look and it’s an inflammation around the bone probably from the surgery. Got some anti-inflammatory for it.
A Dad's Story
In the article, there is a nice interactive graphic depicting how an implant works.
I am still making progress by hearing sounds better that I could scarcely hear before like the microwave oven beeping and the egg timer. There continues to be times when I can’t take the noise and I have to shut off the implant.
Different Opinions on CIs
Iowans share their opinions on cochlear implants and this opinion is reflective of the country, not just Iowa. My opinion is that the person should do what he decides is best for him.
Famous Deaf Gal
OK, so she is the second most famous deaf person. Heather Whitestone McCallum is in the news again since she had an implant over a year ago. A message worth hearing briefly shares her story. The most famous deaf person? I’d say Marlee Matlin. She gets most of the deaf roles in Hollywood.
About Cochlear Implants
NIDCD Health Information has an easy to read Q&A page explaining cochlear implants and how they work.
Accessible Cell Phones
Since my wireless service no longer offers a network that’s compatible with my PDA modem, I’m exploring cell phones with text and email capabilities like the Nokia 6800 (one bad thing… no built-in camera… pooh!). AccessWireless.org offers the latest information on developments in the wireless industry from an accessible perspective.
One thing that’s not clear is references to hearing aid compatibility. Does that mean it is compatible with a cochlear implant? Cochlear talks about it, but not specific brands (understandable). I used a loopset with my hearing aid, which shut out all the static so I could at least know when someone answered the phone. Will any loopset work?
Cords Everywhere!
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, that I have to go back to Program 1 (softest and quietest setting). It got so bad that the phone ringing made me cringe and back to Program 1 goes the CI.
For the first time, I hooked the CI directly into the computer speaker to listen to music as loud as I wanted without disturbing anyone else. No one can hear it but me, no worries about blasting little ears. Something new here, while listening to the music, I can hear sounds around me. It’s a good thing and a bad thing. It’s good because I can hear my kids and when they cry. It’s bad because it’s more difficult to practice listening.
With my hearing aids, I put them on T (telecoil) whenever listening with earphones or making a phone call. T shuts out all sounds except for what’s coming through the phone or earphones. This situation is the best way to practice auditory skills and shut out the sounds of noisy co-workers.
The other problem… cords! They’re everywhere! One cord to connect the mic to the processor. Another cord to connect from the processor to the computer speaker. In the CI suitcase, I’ve got at least four more. One for the phone, one for to connect to a speaker microphone something or the other… I can’t remember the rest. They’re too long or not long enough depending on the situation.
Deaf Rabbi
After yesterday’s rant, here’s a positive story about a deaf woman who took the path to becoming a rabbi. I didn’t even know there was a Jewish seminary for the deaf. Cool. Apparently, she will be the third deaf rabbi in the world. Here’s the other rabbi. Wow. Oh, it’s not for me, I don’t plan to become #4.