WHOOOSSHHH! and Pop-pop... poppity-pop... pop!

two "new" sounds i've discovered recently:

• the pumping of the hydraulics on a NJ Transit bus as we're driving next to it;
  

• the miniature soap bubbles bursting at the bottom of the bathroom sink after i've washed my hands.

really cool stuff.

=o]

The future of hearing aids? Hmmm...

i happened upon this interesting article on the Healthy Hearing website:

"That’s a Hearing Aid?! Wait ‘Til You See This!"

who knows... maybe this is the future of hearing aids.

Red, Red Wine*

one of the best things about having my CI for so long (it will be THREE years on Feb. 7th!) is that i recognize songs more often. at the beginning, i didn't trust my instincts much because i wasn't used to actually experiencing it. something like, "ooh, turn up the radio... i love that song! Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's is great..." never happened to me. unless i heard something OBVIOUS like Madonna or Bon Jovi, i wouldn't have a clue what was playing.

but now? it's totally different.

these days, when i recognize a song, i'm not afraid to speak out and say what i think it is or that i enjoy it. saying, "i can't lip-read the radio" is not my mantra anymore. i can actually enjoy songs and feel confident about knowing what i'm listening to.

this is not an earth-shattering revelation, i know... but it's something i've had a chance to appreciate more often. i notice that hearing people take it for granted when they can sing along to songs on the radio like it's the most normal thing to do. for me it's a lot cooler than that!

*the title is in reference to the song by UB40 that i just heard tonight. i could tell what it was literally within seconds... and it was AWESOME!

Guess who...

yes, i'm alive -- and doing quite well, thank you.

life has been SO hectic lately, i'm lucky i find time to breathe.

my cochlear implant has been doing wonders for me and i hear just as great, if not better.

although i'm LONG overdue for my "annual" tune-up, i haven't gotten around to scheduling one yet (sorry, Judy!).

my friend dani j has inspired me to dust off the cobwebs and put something together... SOON.

in the meantime, enjoy what's been posted here for the last (almost) 3 years.

and stay tuned!

Fascinating Video

i found this wonderful video clip online about one person's cochlear implant experience.

i've never heard of Michael Chorost (a science writer), but now i know that he has a cochlear implant...

this is his story: "Electronic Listener"

p.s. i am scheduled to meet with my audiologist this week for a MAPping session... and i promise to keep you all posted!

Quick Update

i know i haven't been around for a while, but things have been going really well. i am due for my annual MAPping session this month, so i'll have a bigger (and better!) update to post real soon.

BUT the main reason i'm writing now is to bring attention to the following story: Former Miss America Gets Miracle Ear Implant

i am so jealous and wish this were me. hopefully, one day, it will be possible.....