Guest guest Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 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/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 , 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 , Dear - your tastes didn't change because of the Ci's - you just got older! <laughing out loud and ducking!) Jackie <hugs> **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://\ www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 , 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 , 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! ____________________________________________________________ Save On All Your Pet's Medications. Home delivery. Click Now. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw14RfT4hHxP3M9rH8jrI1SK3hoSviiL\ RCF2JmM5eh4r0pvf9/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 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/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 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 > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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