Day #3

Today is Day 3 with my new "ear" and second implant. The last few days have been very busy with a whirlwind of sound. I do love my new implant but am also completely and totally overwhelmed with the level of noise and sensitivity that I'm experiencing. I've actually turned both ears down a little because of the sensory overload. I have noticed a difference already and love the fuller, richer, and balanced sound that I am hearing with two ears. There IS a difference between one and two *ears* and don't like wearing just one CI anymore! The sounds in my new *ear* remind me of my first activation and is almost identical. I hear mostly "white" noise on that side but can make out sounds and words. The *white noise* sounds almost like the whine one hears in an airplane while waiting for takeoff. I am also "shocked" when I first put on my new CI in the morning and have to give it a few minutes to settle down. But, it has only been three days and my brain is still processing this new auditory information. Once I get used to it and train my new ear with A/V therapy, etc. the sky will be the limit and there will be no going back. I absolutely love it and the second CI is no comparison to the hearing aid. I don't even know why I wore the hearing aid as long as I did with my first implant.

My ear is still sore from the surgery so when I'm at home, I *hang* my new processor on my glasses to get it off my ear. Looks a little funny but it works. The vertigo and dizziness at night has also gotten worse but there is a lot going on in my head right now. I am going to call the Dr. this week.

The BIG thing that I've noticed is that background noise is in the BACKGROUND like it is supposed to be and is not as aggravating as it has been in the past. I noticed it right away in a restaurant on Friday night and in church today. Church was absolutely wonderful and the music, instruments, and voices actually blended better. At the beginning of the service we sang "I Am Free" by the Newsboys. Part of the lyrics go like this:

"Through you the blind will see,
Through you the mute will sing,
Through you the dead will rise,
Through you our hearts will praise,
Through you the darkness flees,
Through you my heart screams I am free. . .
I am free. . ."

I could not hold back the tears as Pastor Jeff asked the church to sing an extra verse:

"Through you the deaf will hear,
Through you the deaf will hear,
Through you the deaf will hear,
Through you our hearts will praise. . .
Through you the darkness flees. . .
Through you my heart screams, I am free. . .
I am free. . ."

Yes! I am free to hear, live, run, and dance!

Also went to a meeting this afternoon. Steve sings with a men's choir called the Faithful Men and I am their treasurer. I sat right in the middle of the room and when they sang "Beulah Land" it sounded beautiful, especially from the Tenor side! Wow. . .and this journey has only begun!

By the way, do you like the new look on my blog? Spring is here so come sit on the porch with me and share a cup of tea while we listen to the birds sing!