Saturday, March 3, 2012

I'm Learning!

I now know more than ever why everyone says you need the 3-4 P's. Patience, practice, persistence and prayers. Some say 3, I say 4. When I was activated and voices/speech was so good, I thought "I've got this". I am one of the lucky ones that hit the jackpot right away. Which is true but not so true too.

The first couple of visits to my audie after activation were only for volume increases. As my brain got use to hearing again, the volume would drop so it had to be boosted up some more. Once the volume settles down, that's when the journey really begins. My first mapping (adjustment) I was not happy with at all! I felt kind of rushed at the audie's office because she was also setting up my new processor so there wasn't much time for the mapping. She set up 3 maps for me. Program 1 was for everyday use. Program 2 was to use in noisy situations and Program 3 was for direct connect to use for my cell phone/iPod.

I have read many times that it sometimes takes time to get use to a new map so I struggled with this map for 2 weeks before I emailed my audie asking for help. I was back in her office within a couple of days. At that point I could not understand speech at all unless I was lipreading, everything was so distorted. She worked her magic and I was "good" again. Here is what I have figured out so far..

If I have not adjusted to a map within a week, contact my audie!
My brain has to adjust to the changes so as this happens things should become better. As that settles in, the brain wants more so that is why I have to go for more mappings. It does not stay the same.

Patience, patience, patience! I am learning! This is definitely a journey with lots of bumps in the road. I am so blessed to have the people of HJ to explain things to me. Without them, I'm not sure I would make it. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond thrilled to be able to hear again but understanding the process/progress helps more than I can put into words.

Now for what I am hearing...
Everyday is a new adventure wondering what I will hear today that I did not hear yesterday. New things are added all the time. It is so amazing to me how this works. Voices/speech is good again. I can hear without looking which is wonderful! I am hearing the television but still need closed captions. I can hear some words but not all but it is getting better all the time. I look forward to the day I can watch without closed captions and I know that day will come just not sure when. I have been working on music which still sounds bad for the most part. Some songs I can recognize but lots of the instruments are missing. Some vocals are there and others not, this will take lots of time but I will keep practicing listening and get there eventually. Listening to the same song over and over, I do notice it gets better. I can hear the birds now and last night I heard those noisy crickets for the first time in many many years! I think it is the first time they made me smile. LOL

I have so many gadgets now that I am trying to figure out. Technology has advanced and left me behind while I was in my deaf world. I bought an iPod to work on music. It sat here for over a week before I was able to figure out how to get it to work. I still have a lot to learn about that little jewel. I upgraded my cell phone so I could use direct connect to try to use the phone again. The direct connect will send the call directly to my implant. I tried it only to discover I could hear the caller but they could not hear me. Now how ironic is that? Through asking lots of questions I found out I needed to purchase a bluetooth. The direct connect has no mic is why they could not hear me. I have not figured out that new toy yet but am going to give it a try this weekend. I purchased one that was recommended. It is about the size of a AAA battery and also has a FM radio so once I figure out how it works I will be able to listen to music with it too. I am really straining my poor little brain!

The past few weeks have not been good for me. I wanted to post updates but also did not want to be negative. That is why there was only short posts along with the lack of time/energy. I never want anyone reading my blog to feel that I am not happy with my decision to get this implant. It is absolutely the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. It will take lots of work but I am willing to do whatever in necessary to get to where I want to be... a hearing person again.

2 comments:

  1. Oh the trials and errors of life! I am so glad that you are HEARING. Just think of how far you have come...and I know there is a long road ahead of you but you can do this girl! I know you can! I am excited that you can hear, and understand, speech now. It is only a matter of time before the TV becomes second nature, too.

    I don't know if I know how long it has been since you were totally deaf. Did that happen when you were overseas or was it before that?

    I got a smile knowing that you heard crickets. I always love to hear them in the Spring because it signals the start of good weather here.

    Have a wonderful weekend, Kris. Have fun playing with your bluetooth. I have it in my car and love it. xo Diana

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  2. Diana, I have been struggling to hear with hearing aids for about 10 years. I was completely deaf for 2 years prior to my implant. It will all come in time. There is no way to put a time table on things but I will be happy to take it as it comes. :)

    Thank you for your support, it really means a lot to me. I hope things have settled down for you and you are enjoying life and those grandbabies of yours.

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