Re: Hello Strangers! I'm Back!

[Guest guest]

Irv,

A polite word of warning: Never EVER mention the warm California

temperatures to a Wisconsinite in the middle of January! LOL!

Right now the temperature here is 9 degrees. Wanna trade places? LOL!

As far as music is concerned, you mentioned high pitched instruments

that sound squeaky. I have the same problem when it comes to guitars

(the type that is used in a heavy metal or " hair " band). I used to

enjoy listening to " hair bands, " but now that I have CIs, it's very

annoying to hear because the sound goes right through me.

I've also gravitated towards jazz music -- although I prefer smooth

jazz since some frequencies and instruments sound harsh to me.

I also love classic music and love how clear all of the instruments

sound with my CIs.

One thing is for sure. Ever since getting my CIs, my musical tastes

have definitely changed. I'm no longer into heavy metal or " hair "

bands like I used to be and have learned to enjoy music I couldn't

appreciate before (mainly classical and jazz) due to how blurred and

distorted it sounded with hearing aids.

Bilateral Cochlear CIs

December, 2004 and February, 2006

>

> Howdy . I'm sure will take the hint. Regarding music,

it's still a challenge for me. The higher pitched instruments like

violins still sound very squeaky. My Audie has tried everything

without success. I listen to mostly jazz since it has a lot of

percussion which sounds OK to me. Occasionally I will listen to

symphonic music in the hopes I will magically hear it like I know it

should sound. How are you holding up to the cold weather? At the risk

of manking you angry at me, today where I live in Ca. it will

probably hit 70 degrees(unusually high for this time of year).

>                                            Irv in sunny Ca.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I've never thought about buying a digital piano because I still have

an old keyboard of mine from the 80s that I use to test my music

perception on. In fact, that's how I discovered the fact that high

frequencies sound the way they do.

I'd love to purchase a digital piano, but don't have the money to

right now. 2 weeks ago my old LCD TV bit the dust, so I had to shell

out a good deal of money for a new 32 " HDTV. I'm also saving up money

for my move to Arizona, so I will need to be careful with my monthly

budget.

I might buy a digital piano as a treat to myself after my move. We'll

see -- or perhaps you'd like to buy one for me? <hint, hint> LOL!

Bilateral Cochlear CIs

December, 2004 and February, 2006

>

> Well I sure love hints and will surely give a peppermint

mocha.

> And if she requires a daily fix, I shall oblige!

>

> Hey , speaking of music, we gotta talk! For now, have you

made use

> of a digital piano to test your music perception? I have not

bought one but

> have one in mind that I looked at while in a music store last

year. I have

> wanted to test this theory and see how things stack up.

>

> The piano is low on my wish list because there are a ocuple

other things

> more important at the moment. So have to wait.

>

> Are you still taking voice lessons?

>

> *---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

> I believe I found the missing link between animal and civilized

man. It is

> us.

> --Konrad Lorenz, ethologist, Nobel laureate (1903-1989)

> & Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

> E-mail-

> rclark0276@...

> Home Page-

> http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks so much for the compliment! I'm so glad I can be a part of

because I love supporting and helping others.

Thank you also for sharing your experiences.

I couldn't agree with you more about insurance companies and

bilaterals. If someone is able to hear better with 2 CIs as opposed to

one, why should they be denied a second CI? Sometimes I think people

who work in the insurance industry should live a day in our shoes for a

week so they get a better understanding of what it's like to function

on a daily basis when you can't hear or can't hear well.

I also don't like the idea that insurance companies consider hearing

aids " cosmetic. " *No one* should be denied the right to hear and it's a

shame in this day and age that insurance companies can't understand

that.

Bilateral Cochlear CIs

December, 2004 and February, 2006

[Guest guest]

, Dear - your tastes didn't change because of the Ci's - you just got

older! <laughing out loud and ducking!) Jackie <hugs>

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[Guest guest]

, I couldn't agree with you more about not talking to Midwesterners,

specifically WI, about sunny California. Winks.

 

I got the Cochlear Freedom implanted in my worse ear on July 23, 2008 and then I

was activated August 25, 2008. On February 13, I'll have my six-month map. Time

sure does fly.

 

I had a bit of a struggle with insurance at first. They denied my CI request.

Then I had been trying to get an appeal through.  I had the CI eval in January

of last year and then in June an appeal on my behalf was finally approved. The

rest is history. My insurance, apparently, is one of the last ones who think

CIs are still experimental or something like that. I would consider a second CI

if I qualified, but I do hope I don't have another war with insurance when that

happens.

 

Shari in WI

[Guest guest]

,

NOBODY needs to have grey hair. That's why Lady Clairol and all those

other hair colors are out there. The thing to remember is that your hair

gets lighter with age, so don't buy jet black and put it on your head.

Go brown, then lighter brown, then blonde when you're say 55 or so.

And it's not coloring your hair, BTW, it's " enhancing it's natural

color " .

Short term memory loss is because you weren't paying attention in the

first place when you did something. Hence you can't recall it, because

you never put it IN your memory. So nothing there to lose. I have great

excuses for everything.

Getting older isn't bad with the exception of gray hair (which I already

have even though I'm 38!) and short term memory loss. LOL!

____________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

 

Yes, I have a blog and I like to journal about my experiences. And this was one

of them. I even re-read it and relived that day.

 

Get a cup of java or whatever you need, sit back and relax. It's a bit long.

 

It's titled, " The Day We Met "

 

From the moment we met, I felt this instant attraction to Pete. I was drawn to

his magnetic personality. We butted heads almost immediately. We aren’t on the

same level yet. He sounds funny right now, but, as you know, every relationship

takes time to grow...

Meet Pete, my Cochlear Implant. That’s his name. Why? I was thinking about

rabbit ears and thought about Cottontail. Why not name the CI Pete?

Maybe some day, Petey will have a brother if I ever get a second implant…and his

name will be….Repeat.

This morning was hectic to say the least. The girls had to get ready for their

first day of school. I was shook awake by my Sonic Boom alarm clock at 5 a.m. I

knew that it was the best time for me to jump into the shower. The girls might

take up too much time later.

We still made it on time. In fact, we waited 10 minutes past the appointment

time.

The audie asked if I had questions and how the recovery from the surgery went.

She looked over my incision.

The behind the ear (BTE) processor was surprisingly lighter than it looked. I

had no idea how the magnet would feel. I hardly felt it. It was like it wasn't

even there.

The first thing she said when the audie looked at her computer was “The internal

implant looks good.” I should have asked to see what that looked like.

Soon the audie was clicking buttons (I swear that computer is really a piano.

Each key must have a certain sound.) I was asked if they were soft, comfortable,

loud, too loud, etc. It was a lot like the tone test (beeps that had varying

degrees of pitches).

Then she said she was gong to turn on Pete. (This must be the " live " moment the

others were talking about.) I heard this high-pitched noise that sounded like a

hearing aid constantly whistling in my ear. (Aww, Petey was whispering sweet

nothings in my ear…) Only it was awful. Annoying even. I need to get the brain

adjusted to Pete’s voice. Right now it still sounds high-pitched, but more like

there’s a fan or air conditioner going (only we aren’t running the fan or air

conditioner).

The first thing I said was, “It sounds AWFUL.” I chuckled, only mildly

disappointed. I kept my expectations low. I knew everyone’s activation

experience is going to be different. I didn’t get any heliumized voices that

sound like Minnie Mouse. (And I was planning on titling this post “Operation

Alvination” in honor of Alvin the Chipmunk. LOL. Oh, well. It's okay. Then I

said, “It almost sounds like a female Darth Vader.” (I think I got a chuckle

from Hubby for that comment.)

The audie kept the programs set to a softer sound. All the programs are set on

ADRO (which means every day sounds) and each program (P 1 through P 4) are just

louder at each level. So when the sounds become softer and I think I can handle

it being louder, then I’ll switch. She says it was better than having me get

discouraged and not wear it. (I do have a volume control on it, too, so I can

turn it up that way.)

I’m going to give the brain time. (And I can wear it with my hearing aid in my

other ear.) Thank goodness for that because I wouldn’t recognize any sounds at

this point. mentioned a “chain saw” noise and I think I know what she’s

talking about. It is a grating noise. That’s all I am getting right now. A

constant motor sound. Soon, when the brain adjusts, those motorized sounds

should morph into recognizable sounds. (We'll get there, .)

Then, INFORMATION OVERLOAD!!...in a different context.

I was shown all my loot, the goodies. All the accessories and components that

came with the Cochlear Freedom (a kit in a cardboard suitcase). Two processors.

Battery recharger. Batteries. (Both disposable and rechargeable). Dry and Store

kit to keep the processor dehumidifed overnight. It’s mind boggling. I want to

watch the DVD that came with it. It’s closed captioned, though I am not

surprised. After all, it is something a deaf person would be watching, right? I

need to familiarize myself with everything.

The whole activation took about one and a half hours.

Again, baby steps. I didn’t expect to understand speech right away. The auditory

nerve is waking up again after about 10-15 years. A wrinkle in time...hey, Rip

Van Winkle, no that was 20 years...okay, back to our regularly scheduled

programing...(my thoughts always trail off like that...had to show a part of my

personality here that you would see in person, because I could always edit my

thoughts when I write...)

" Angel " , my daughter, will have some reading assignments for homework to do so

I’ll have plenty of listening practice. I'll look into children's books and

audio tapes I can follow along. And I will devote some private time with Petey

(ooh la la-eyebrows raising up and down) without my HA for additional practice.

Patience is key. I have plenty of that. Tomorrow’s another day….

Thanks to all for your encouragement and support. If it weren’t for all of us

sharing our experiences, I don’t even know if I would be where I am right now if

I didn’t compare and share our CI journeys. . . thank you. HUGS.

Shari in WI

 

implanted with the Cochlear Freedom-July 23, 2008

activatec: August 25, 2008

 

Blog: http://literallyblindsided.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

Shouldnt a lot of this mocha stuff and riding on hoods be taken to

private email, ? You being a moderator and all. I know they are

private " in jokes " , but there are an awful lot of messages being taken

up with them.

Somebody had to say it.

Welcome back , I'm glad to see you back too, after all you have

gone through.

Ted F.

>

> , I am trying to understand what it is you are going on

> about. What is it? Something about mochas. I could use one. Are

> you bringing me one?

> LOL

[Guest guest]

The odd off topic message doesnt bother me in the least, . It was

just that this mocha/riding on the hood thing, was a running

commentary of an " in joke " . I hope no offence was taken, with me for

mentioning it.

Ted F.

> > >

> > > , I am trying to understand what it is you are going on

> > > about. What is it? Something about mochas. I could use one. Are

> > > you bringing me one?

> > > LOL

> >

> >

> >

>