Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
12 days post activation and I had my third meeting with Jennifer the Audi today. First thing was to step into the hearing booth and take my first hearing test since getting the implant. I thought I would not do that well since it has been less than two weeks and from what I had heard from others was that it can take weeks or months for the test scores to improve to a level beyond what they were before surgery. I'll tell you what, I haven't felt this good since I aced my last college test over twenty years ago - my score was above what it was with my hearing aid at the last test! (I'll try to get my wife to post a picture of it to prove it!) I am so excited. The hearing is not perfect yet (and of course will never be 'perfect') but it is improving every day.
Jennifer then mapped the processor a little and things are sounding a little fuller and normal. I still get some bells and whistles with certain voices, and the tv for some reason is the worst, and also voices further away or in the room next to my office for example still sound mechanical but based on how things are going now I am optimistic that that will all come around. Talking on the phone has improved too - a good buddy called tonight and I talked for over 5 minutes without a problem.
So as Thanksgiving approaches I definetely have a lot to be thankful for. I want to thank my wife publicly here, for she has been my rock and driving force behind me doing this, and I have been waiting to see how things went before I said this but I can say it now - I am glad I have the cochlear implant!
Until later....
Jennifer then mapped the processor a little and things are sounding a little fuller and normal. I still get some bells and whistles with certain voices, and the tv for some reason is the worst, and also voices further away or in the room next to my office for example still sound mechanical but based on how things are going now I am optimistic that that will all come around. Talking on the phone has improved too - a good buddy called tonight and I talked for over 5 minutes without a problem.
So as Thanksgiving approaches I definetely have a lot to be thankful for. I want to thank my wife publicly here, for she has been my rock and driving force behind me doing this, and I have been waiting to see how things went before I said this but I can say it now - I am glad I have the cochlear implant!
Until later....
Friday, November 14, 2008
It's been over 48 hours now and quiet a whirlwind. The people in the pictures are only a fraction of those who wore "can you hear me now" donald duck shirts on Thursday. It has been fun and humbling at the same time to see all the support.
I went to see Jennifer again today with my wife for some more fine tuning of the CI. It is a little clearer now. She actually turned the volume down slightly. Voices are sounding a little more normal (not so much donald duck!). I still have trouble when not facing someone who is talking. I enjoyed listening to the radio in the car with my daughter on the way home from school. Couldn't hear the words that well but the beat and music was clear.
The one constant is the terrible racket of noises in my head, like a vacuum cleaner with bells and whistles all at the same time. Jennifer said this would gradually go away as my brain continues to adjust to all the sounds. I sure hope so because it really is annoying.
I will be going to church tomorrow. I look forward to hearing the singing and organ again and listening to whoever is preaching. I hope all goes well.
I went to see Jennifer again today with my wife for some more fine tuning of the CI. It is a little clearer now. She actually turned the volume down slightly. Voices are sounding a little more normal (not so much donald duck!). I still have trouble when not facing someone who is talking. I enjoyed listening to the radio in the car with my daughter on the way home from school. Couldn't hear the words that well but the beat and music was clear.
The one constant is the terrible racket of noises in my head, like a vacuum cleaner with bells and whistles all at the same time. Jennifer said this would gradually go away as my brain continues to adjust to all the sounds. I sure hope so because it really is annoying.
I will be going to church tomorrow. I look forward to hearing the singing and organ again and listening to whoever is preaching. I hope all goes well.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
"Can you hear me now"
Staff and students wore shirts with an iron on that had Donald Duck and said "Can you hear me now?" What a wonderful experience to know I have so much support at work.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
PATIENCE! Oh God, I'm going to need a lot of it.
My implant was activated today after five long weeks of silence after the surgery, and while it's been pretty exciting overall being able to hear things again, I'll be honest, it has not been as good as I had hoped. I had been trying to keeps my expectations low anyway, but this is going to take some work getting used too.
After Jennifer (the audiologist) hooked me up, she went through the series of initial beeps that they start off with. Then she "turned me on". While expecting things to sound different, I really couldn't hear anything at all at first, just a bunch of loud sounds with voices sounding very high pitched and mechanical, and yes, very much like Donald Duck as I had heard. In anticipation of this (and without telling me) my wife made some t-shirts with Donald Duck on the front saying "can you hear me now?"My daughter and her took their coats off to reveal them as I was listening to Jennifer talk. It was pretty funny.
Anyway, we then got to go throught the suitcase size box that contains all the extra stuff that I get to keep - all the back-up accessories, batteries, and assistive listening devices.
By the way, the processor and magnet has been pretty comfortable. I had worried that because it was bigger then the hearing aid plus the magnet attached to my head that it would be uncomfortable and take some getting used to, but it hasn't been a problem at all. The magnet slips on nice and easy and fits partially under a hat if I wear one.
After leaving Jennifer's office, I actually felt like crying - things sounded so strange, but I quickly gathered myself and repeated my patience mantra. When listening to someone face to face I can understand what they are saying, even though it sounds strange, but if I look away, I have trouble picking up what is being said. That's why it was kinda of neat for what happened in the car on the way home: I was listening to my daughter Danielle talk in the back seat and trying to repeat what she was saying. My mom was behind me and out of sight when she suddenly said, Dan, can you hear me? I repeated to her, yes, I can hear you. Everyone looked at me in amazement and then I suddenly realized, how did I do that? I guess it was my first CI moment!
It's now Wednesday evening as I write this. It's only been a few hours since I was activated, but I can tell a very slight improvement in the quality of peoples voices, not quiet so much like Donald Duck. Simple everyday environmental sounds are pretty normal, doors shutting, forks on a plate etc. Ironically, music, which I had heard was the hardest to pick up hasn't been that bad. I was able to follow along as Danielle played the piano. Maybe more complex music like at church or on the radio will be different.
So the journey has begun. Not quiet the flying start I secretly was hoping for, but as usual, with the fantastic support of my family and the patience and determination I have asked God to give me, things will improve. I am confidant my next blog will have better news on the speech comprehension front.
My implant was activated today after five long weeks of silence after the surgery, and while it's been pretty exciting overall being able to hear things again, I'll be honest, it has not been as good as I had hoped. I had been trying to keeps my expectations low anyway, but this is going to take some work getting used too.
After Jennifer (the audiologist) hooked me up, she went through the series of initial beeps that they start off with. Then she "turned me on". While expecting things to sound different, I really couldn't hear anything at all at first, just a bunch of loud sounds with voices sounding very high pitched and mechanical, and yes, very much like Donald Duck as I had heard. In anticipation of this (and without telling me) my wife made some t-shirts with Donald Duck on the front saying "can you hear me now?"My daughter and her took their coats off to reveal them as I was listening to Jennifer talk. It was pretty funny.
Anyway, we then got to go throught the suitcase size box that contains all the extra stuff that I get to keep - all the back-up accessories, batteries, and assistive listening devices.
By the way, the processor and magnet has been pretty comfortable. I had worried that because it was bigger then the hearing aid plus the magnet attached to my head that it would be uncomfortable and take some getting used to, but it hasn't been a problem at all. The magnet slips on nice and easy and fits partially under a hat if I wear one.
After leaving Jennifer's office, I actually felt like crying - things sounded so strange, but I quickly gathered myself and repeated my patience mantra. When listening to someone face to face I can understand what they are saying, even though it sounds strange, but if I look away, I have trouble picking up what is being said. That's why it was kinda of neat for what happened in the car on the way home: I was listening to my daughter Danielle talk in the back seat and trying to repeat what she was saying. My mom was behind me and out of sight when she suddenly said, Dan, can you hear me? I repeated to her, yes, I can hear you. Everyone looked at me in amazement and then I suddenly realized, how did I do that? I guess it was my first CI moment!
It's now Wednesday evening as I write this. It's only been a few hours since I was activated, but I can tell a very slight improvement in the quality of peoples voices, not quiet so much like Donald Duck. Simple everyday environmental sounds are pretty normal, doors shutting, forks on a plate etc. Ironically, music, which I had heard was the hardest to pick up hasn't been that bad. I was able to follow along as Danielle played the piano. Maybe more complex music like at church or on the radio will be different.
So the journey has begun. Not quiet the flying start I secretly was hoping for, but as usual, with the fantastic support of my family and the patience and determination I have asked God to give me, things will improve. I am confidant my next blog will have better news on the speech comprehension front.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Sunday night, my last deaf weekend almost over. On Wednesday, I go back to Johns Hopkins to see my audiologist Jennifer Yeagle for the first time since my last audiology exam when I decided to have the cochlear implant. The five weeks since surgery and being deaf have gone by pretty fast. I am looking forward to hearing again, although I am trying not to get to excited because I know it will be different and I don't want to walk away from the first appointment disappointed. It will be a process and I will have to work at it I'm sure.
I will post my thoughts when I return on Wednesday, and hopefully some pictures too of my "new' bionic ear.
Until then, here is a top ten list of the things I am most looking forward too hearing again:
10. My own voice
9. Nature/environment - birds, rain, outside noise (cars, etc.)
8. Good music - singing at church, organ, my daughters music and her singing it
7. Going to church
6. Hearing at work again - my colleagues and students (especially the senior boys who have been rooting for me).
5. Talking on the phone again
4. Babies crying - my newest nephew Caleb, and friend Ron's baby Isabelle
3. Sports noice - games on tv, and at work - basketballs bouncing, shoes squeaking, coaches talking.
2. My family talking at family get-togethers, especially nephews Megan, Ryan, and Ben
1. My wife and daughter talking - especially when they are talking and laughing together.
(And the #1 thing I will not miss: all this racquet in my head - the wooshing, ringing, bells, etc.!)
I will post my thoughts when I return on Wednesday, and hopefully some pictures too of my "new' bionic ear.
Until then, here is a top ten list of the things I am most looking forward too hearing again:
10. My own voice
9. Nature/environment - birds, rain, outside noise (cars, etc.)
8. Good music - singing at church, organ, my daughters music and her singing it
7. Going to church
6. Hearing at work again - my colleagues and students (especially the senior boys who have been rooting for me).
5. Talking on the phone again
4. Babies crying - my newest nephew Caleb, and friend Ron's baby Isabelle
3. Sports noice - games on tv, and at work - basketballs bouncing, shoes squeaking, coaches talking.
2. My family talking at family get-togethers, especially nephews Megan, Ryan, and Ben
1. My wife and daughter talking - especially when they are talking and laughing together.
(And the #1 thing I will not miss: all this racquet in my head - the wooshing, ringing, bells, etc.!)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Hey, I just realized (looking in the mirror the other day), that my left ear isn't crooked anymore. After wearing a hearing aid for 32 years and of course after the surgery which really bent my ear back , my left ear was kinda, uh, off. But after just 3 and a half weeks post surgery and not wearing anything behind my ear, it's already straightened out. Oh well, in another week and a half, it's back to pushing the ol ear around as I put my new processor on. Small price to pay to be able to hear.
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