This is Day 4 with the new implant

This is the fourth day for the new implant. It a big diffence with the left ear. Everything sound higher pitch and sharper but still have problem with music, it sounded like rapsy sound, like Darth Vader's breathing and also noticed that when men speak, their voice sound rapsy.

My audie gave me three programs to work with for a week. Right now I am on program 2 which is louder, the first slot is softer. And also must wear the new implant at least 2 hrs a day alone. So tomorrow hopefully I will use the The Listening Room that is provided by HearingJourney.com.

Next Thursday I will be going back to Johns Hopkins for the second mapping. More things will be happening. I will update after the Thur appt.

I have to say WOW on my second implant!

I got activated yesterday for my second implant. My ears are not identical, they are fateral twins. The new implant sound higher pitch and sharper. I understood speech right away, the reason why is because of my hearing aid since the age of 3. This new implant will be the dominate ear and the right ear will be the backup.

We did put the t-coil on the right one for now. My audie did not map the right ear because she does not want to overload the brain. It will be map later. She has given me three program to work on and also wear it for at least 2 hrs alone a day. Which I did and no problem, hopefully I will hear more later like the microwave beep, any thing that is high pitch. I do hear the turn signal in the van and also was listening to the radio and understood some of the stuff which was the weather report but the van has to stop in order for me to listen.

I am glad that I went for the second implant, no regret! I know there is more coming. So I need to buckle in and engage the new improve hearing world which is noisy.

I go back next Thurs for the second mapping. More will be follow.

2nd Implant and Recovery

It has been a long time since I lasted blog. I had my surgery for the 2nd implant on the left last Wednesday, Feb 17. Dr. Niparko did a wonderful job and the surgery went easier than the first time around. I did not have any vertigo, numbness, loss of taste and or metallic taste. I was in recovering a little longer because they could not get my blood oxygen up so my dh had to make me mad in order to breathe more. Since it has been less than a week since surgery, I had to listen all over again with my right ear and I noticed that I should have a mapping before the surgery. I realized that the last mapping was in July so things has change especially the volume.

Today I had to use the phone to talk one of the nurse from the insurance company and I explained to her that I am using the Captel to be able to understand her. The conversation last about 5 minutes and I got most of the words so it getting there. My right ear is not accustomed to the phone, it was my left ear.

My first activation will be on March 18, 2010, the day after my daughter's birthday. I am glad that I got this second implant.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We are coming to the end of 2009 and it was a tough year for some people. I am grateful that I had the implant this past year. I will be getting my second implant on Feb 17, 2010 with Dr. Niparko. My left ear is my favorite ear and I will be losing my residual hearing which I do not have much left. Hopefully it will be a good 2010 for me and everyone else.

I do not have the activation date yet. Will get it probably before the surgery and also I will have mapping before the surgery for the right ear.

Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year.

Another Mapping this week

I will be going in on Thursday for another mapping. I got this appt alittle early because I noticed things has changed and could not wait until Aug 7. Also I will be making an appt to see Dr. Niparko for the second implant for next year after the holidays. I missed hearing out of my left ear.

I noticed the other day that I was asking my son a question with my back to him and he answered my question without me turning to face him. I understood what he said. So there is progress on this. I am also listening to audio book and I really have to listen where I am and that helps.

Will let you guys know how the mapping goes on Thursday.

Third Mapping Update

Hi Folk!

Got my third mapping this past Tue. I went into the booth for testing and I am hearing things better than the last time, but still can not understand the speech in the booth. The audie said it too early for that. They added more sound, high frequency. Boy yesterday was really loud and my brain is really overload with sound. I hear the birds in the backyard and it was much louder and clear. And this morning I was defrosting the roast for dinner tonight in the microwave and I was walking into the kitchen wondering what is that noise and come to find out it was the microwave and I heard it beeping much louder while I was in the other room.

So things are starting to pick up. Hopefully I can start using the phone with practice but I know when people say wait it too early. But it would not hurt to continue to listen.

We are heading for Nashville, TN for the HLAA convention. It will be our first one and we are excited about going. This would also be good for my daughter who is also hearing impaired. We could use some resources for her. Will tell you about the convention after we back.

Have a wonderful summer!

10th Annual Johns Hopkins C.I. Picnic

Tina, Beth MacDonald, JoAnne, and Hope (hearing dog)

The Listening Center at Johns Hopkins Hosp. had their 10th annual C.I. picnic so we decided to go because it would be great to meet other people that has their C.I. Especially Elizabeth MacDonald from the BEA (Advanced Bionics). There was more elderly and younger kids with CI. I met alot of people and saw some from their blogs. It was really nice, too bad that they do not live in the area where I am at.

Update on my progress with the CI. I am still learning to hear the words without looking at the book or the person but it hard. The radio I am starting to catch the words. I am still having trouble understanding my kids but that will come when my brain is ready. I will have my next mapping on June 2.

This is me and my husband Tom

This is me and Joanne and her hearing dog Hope

Me and my audie Courtney Carver

This is my daughter Shannon

The Listening Center at Johns Hopkins Hosp. had their 10th annual C.I. picnic so we decided to go because it would be great to meet other people that has their C.I. Especially Elizabeth MacDonald from the BEA (Advanced Bionics). There was more elderly and younger kids with CI. I met alot of people and saw some from their blogs. It was really nice, too bad that they do not live in the area where I am at.

Update on my progress with the CI. I am still learning to hear the words without looking at the book or the person but it hard. The radio I am starting to catch the words. I am still having trouble understanding my kids but that will come when my brain is ready. I will have my next mapping on June 2.