GROWING UP HARD OF HEARING IN A HEARING WORLD: May 2012

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Marvel Comics creates a hearing impaired super hero

You might want to check out this new hero who wears hearing aids. He inspires a young little boy to wear his in real life. Kudos to Marvel Comics to help this child overcome his fear of wearing a hearing aids. Unfortunality, this comic book is not for sale for others just like him.

CLICK HERE

Tomorrow, I am going to my public library to promote Better Hearing and Speech month. I will be giving out pamphlets and brochures about Cochlear Implant's for a few hours. I am looking forward to this.

Have a good night! :)

Monday, May 21, 2012

Difference between BAHA VS. Cochlear Implant's

A few people on Facebook mentioned they didn't know the difference between BAHA and Cochlear Implants. I didn't know either. Someone sent me these two links. These links explain what the difference is.

BAHA

Cochlear Implants

Hope this helps.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Jennifer Rosner is an inspiration..

I had the pleasure meeting Jennifer Rosner when I lost all of my hearing. I didn't know much about Cochlear Implants prior to her book signing. Maybe three weeks.

This was so new to me three years ago. I decided to go to her presentation because I thought it would be helpful. I had to think of other options. I knew "I HAD TO HEAR AGAIN".

At first I thought she was Deaf with Cochlear Implant's herself. Then I realized she was hearing and both of her children are profoundly deaf and wears Cochlear Implant's. This day was a life changing experience for me. Something I still remember till this day. She gave me hope and she was so helpful she stayed after and answered all my questions. The sweetest person ever.

Today in the New York Times Jennifer wrote a wonderful post. I have to share this with you.
Check it out here.

If you never read her book. Click here. This is something you should definitely read. Dont forget to check out her website also.

Have a good night!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

MUSIC is amazing

Today, was the first time I heard about the Beastie Boys on TV.

My entire life I couldn't enjoy music because I couldn't hear. Even if the volume was blasting in the car on volume 100. That wouldn't matter. I still couldn't understand. Usually I would feel the vibration which was pretty neat.

Now that I have a Cochlear Implant, I am able to understand MUSIC. For the first time. Now music has a big impact on my life. I realized that songs have meanings. When I listen to these amazing bands, I can relate to the songs.

I have had my Ipod for a few years now but never really used it when I wore hearing aids. Using my processor I can pick up on almost every song that is playing. I hear the base and even guitar, and the exact words they are saying. If there is a new song, I would not be able to hear it right away. I have to replay it a couple of times till I understand. NOW I CANT live without music.

The audio cable which came with my Cochlear Implant kit is the best because it goes right into my processor and I can hear word for word. The best part about it no one can HEAR the music and complain it is really LOUD.

Today, I took a nice walk and realized the volume was about 10% which isn't loud at all. The volumen was comfortable for me. If you can hear the song, there is no NEED TO RAISE the VOLUME louder unless you want to go DEAF!

Being able to communicate with ease is a LIFE SAVER. Being able to listen to MUSIC is the greatest. Over the last few months I realized music calms me down. Listening to MUSIC is something I have to do everyday.

Later on in the day, I decided to listen to Beastie Boys on youtube and was having trouble at first. Once I replayed the song a few times, I was able to comprehend most of what the band was singing.

If I ever have the chance to go to the UK and meet with Graeme Clark, I wouldn't know what to say other than Thank You and cry because he invented the best gift ever.

Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream.

Simply Amazing....

Cochlear has a new APP for Nucleus Receipts for the Iphone!

Finally! Cochlear has a new APP for Nucleus Recipients. If you have an Iphone, You can download this for FREE! I love it! I took pictures of what the APP looks like. Click Here to read the Article. Thanks to Rachel for telling us!

CLICK HERE for the directions.

Friday, May 4, 2012

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

May is Better Hearing & Speech Month. Please spread awareness about Cochlear Implants.

Did you know? 1 in 10 people in the U.S. suffer from hearing loss. Thats 38 million people in the U.S.

Experts project the number of people w/ hearing loss will rise to 1.1 billion by 2015. #ListenCarefully- Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Here are some resources:

Treatments

Hearing Loss Education Center

Starkey Hearing Foundation

HLAA

If you think you might have a hearing loss contact your local Audiologist office. If you have any questions email me. I will do my best to try and help you.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Mapping #3

Today I had another mapping done.The last few weeks have been a struggle because I havent gone for a mapping in 2 months. I realized the programs have changed. My audiologist said that the programs have changed on the computer. That is why you are suppose to go every three weeks to get programed. I do like my new programs. There are 4 programs using the Nucleus 5.

Program 1: New program which is louder.
Program 2: Even louder if I need it.
Program 3: Zoom (which I never used before).
Program 4: Old program if I dont like the new programs.

Every mapping appointment is basically the same. Here is what happened today.

- Listening to beeps: She takes my processor and plugs it onto the computer. Then I put it back on my ear. I have to listen to series of beeps and tell her how many beeps do I hear from 1-5. This is done for about 10 minutes. I did really well. Even the lowest beeps I heard.

- Then she turned on my processor and adjusted the programs. To the level I was comfortable at.

- I was asked to repeat words such as: OOO, EEE, AHHH, MMM, SSS, SHH. I heard it all.

On June 6th, I have to go back into the city. My audiologist will put me in the booth for a hearing evaluation to see where I am at. She also told me to bring my left hearing aid for my left ear. She wants to check that ear as well. I was also told to not wear my hearing aid just yet in the left ear, because I still have to give my brain more time to listen with the processor.

Remember with my first implant the disposable batteries lasted 2-3 weeks? Well she said to me that is not NORMAL. They are suppose to last anywhere between 2-3 DAYS* tops. She showed me on the computer that with the old program I was using, the disposables last 36 hours.

I am wondering how my evaluation will go in the sound booth. I havent done that since August of last year. She did ask me questions hows the new CI? Is is better than the first implant. Without a doubt there is and I wouldn't change it for anything in this world. To communicate with ease is the greatest gift ever. I am glad I went forward with Re implantation and didn't back out.

By the Way I definitely want to try to go to Cochlear Celebration! This sounds amazing being around so many people who wear the same implant as me!!! Is anyone going??

Have a great day!