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...
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.....
*Please note that I have been extremely lucky with my cochlear implant. My story is *not* the norm. Because I was implanted only 3 months after losing my hearing, activated 4 months later, and am very skilled at speech reading, the CI has done WONDERS for me. For those of you who are considering getting a cochlear implant -- I wish all of you luck, BUT advise you not to compare your experiences to mine or anyone else's. Every CI story is unique and magical on its own!