ANOTHER CI MOMENT

Yesterday was our local ALDA chapter monthly meeting. It is held in a room which is not looped, but we do have a captionist who types in real time and her work is projected on a screen for all to see. The members sit at tables set up in a U-shaped arrangement with the speaker between the two legs of the U. That said, I was determined to try to hear what was said without reading the captions. I sat myself at the head of one of the legs so I would be as close as possible to the speaker. Our President ran the meeting, and also gave a presentation on Emergency Preparedness. Low and behold, I heard and understood about 95% of what was said! Granted, looking at the speaker's mouth didn't hurt. I also heard most of the comments from people sitting at the tables. Next time, I'll sit farther away from the speaker since this experiment was a success.
As a side note, I do keep a smooth jazz radio station on in the car when I drive. The music still sounds like noise, but I want to train my brain to hear music this new way.

A CI MOMENT

My sister is still here and staying with my daughter. I visit her daily. This afternoon, her daughter called from N.Y. State on my daughter's regular telephone. Towards the end of her conversation. I asked for the phone to see if I could hear my niece, My sister was ready to turn on the speakerphone, but I told her not to. Would you believe I could hear my niece very clearly! She was a little low, but I had a 3 or 4 minute conversation with her. I suppose the phone had a volume control, but I was so happy that I didn't think of it at the time. I just can't believe all the things I am doing so soon!

MY SECOND MAPPING

I went yesterday for my second mapping. The Audie worked for 2 hours, made 2 calls to Cochlear Corp.(I think), and finally programmed Ace with 4 volumes and ADRO on each into my processor. As yet, I haven't tried it by conversing with anyone, but today I will get that chance. At home, it appeared that the environmental noise was not as bothersome as before and the TV sounded marginally clearer. I asked the Audie about the Volume and Sensitivity controls on the Freedom. She said at this stage, the 4 programs were volume ones and ADRO did the sensitivity thing automatically. She also felt the use of these controls were very confusing and not real user friendly. My personal opinion is that she is taking me slowly along. My next mapping date is November 8th, and she will see how I am doing before she goes further. I have no problem with that. I have been hearing speech fine, but the environmental sounds have been undistinguishable, one from the other.......a lot of chirps and whistles of different pitch. In the next few days, I hope to try some of the hearing practice websites. Yes, I'm still very happy with my CI!!!

MY ACTIVATION!!

All I can say is WOW!!! When my sister and I arrived at 9:30, we were greeted by my Audie, Amy Popp from Cochlear Corp, And Karen, the new Cochlear rep in this area. After going through the usual preliminaries(electrode test, T & C, etc), they turned me on! I was AMAZED to hear my Audie VERY clearly indeed!!! Admittedly, she was very high pitched. but clear, That has always been my problem....clarity. Amy covered her mouth and called off states. I missed only 2 out of 10 or so....Texas(sorry Kelly) and Vermont. When my Audie explained the Freedom controls, I heard every word. Just before we got into the car to leave the Center, my sister stood behind me and said"Do you hear me?" Of course I said "Yes". When we got home, we made 2 calls on my speakerphone. I heard my niece in New York state pretty clearly(she talks slow), but it was harder to understand my daughter on her cell phone in Hawaii. Now, I am excited!! I know it will get better, but if it didn't I would still be extremely pleased. Now I have to read the instruction books and practice. Next appointment with the Audie is Tuesday.
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