Four Years Ago Today...

Four years ago today my first cochlear implant was activated...

Four years ago I heard the sound of a little boy's voice as he talked to his mom....sounds I had missed when our children were little...

Four years ago my four children surprised me with my very first iPod.... (I'm on my second one now!)

Four years ago I heard the beautiful sound of 19,000 women singing in acapella, the faint sounds of 19,000 Bible pages turning in complete silence, and 19,000 women worshipping together at a Beth Moore Conference in Knoxville...

It is hard to believe that I've been on this wonderful "Dance with Sound" for the last four years. I never dreamed it would be possible to hear this well in my lifetime, going from a severe/profound hearing loss to normal hearing in both ears. (I went bilateral with my second ear in January of 2007.) I still continue to discover "new" sounds in different environments but not as frequently as I did in the beginning. Getting a cochlear implant (or two) is not a "quick fix" to a hearing loss and it took much hard work and perseverance on my part to get to where I am today. I spent over a year in therapy just learning to hear all over again because I never heard those high pitched sounds that are such an important parts of speech. I had family members read to me and practiced listening to books on tape. I practiced on the phone even though I dreaded it. But it has all been worth it worth it and I'm still "practicing" today.

My cochlear implants have given me a new lease on life and connected me to another world of deaf and hard of hearing friends from all over the U.S. and the world, through the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and through this blog.

One of the best parts of this journey is being able to hear the precious & sweet "little voice" of our grandson! And it has increased my faith....for NOTHING is impossible with God! He always has a plan...in His timing...if we only ask...

And I couldn't help but smile and say "Thank you, Lord" as I listened to the sound of the rain above me in church this morning as we sang "Grace Like Rain...falls down on me.....Alleluia!"

Three Year CI Anniversary

Three years ago today, the remnants of Hurricane Katrina blew through Knoxville, knocking out the power in our area. Three years ago Steve was trying to get home from a business trip to take me to the hospital for a life-changing surgery (he didn't make it - Marissa had to miss school that day and took me instead. Steve did make it in time to be there when I woke up in recovery.) Three years ago today I received my first cochlear implant in my left ear. These last three years have been an incredible discovery of new sounds and new joys. I know I've said this before but will say it again. . . I am forever grateful for those who made this technology possible to give the gift of sound to the deaf and hard of hearing.

Below is my most recent hearing test (click on test to view it bigger), which I had done a month ago at my last mapping appointment at the UT Audiology and Speech Pathology department. I tested NORMAL across the board with both cochlear implants, which is even better than the last hearing test I had done a year ago. (That is the C1 you see across the top of the test.) My audiologist also tested my residual hearing to see if I had any left because I told her that I can "hear" certain sounds at a certain range. (Those are the X's and O's you see near the side and bottom of the test.) Cochlear implants usually destroy what residual hearing is left but my doctor used the latest technology, which tries to preserve it. And sure enough, I do have a little bit left. But it is not really usable. It is nice to know that it is there and not just my imagination!

Julie also surprised me and wanted to test my word recognition (HINT=hearing in noise test) score. She used her own voice instead of using a recording and repeated sentences to me. She asked me to write them down and told me to write whatever I heard, even if it didn't make sense. My score was 63%, which is just a slight improvement from my score of 60% last September. But, she tested me BEFORE she remapped my processors. I think I would have done better AFTER the mapping session and with a man's voice. But that is okay. 63% is better than 0%, which was my score three years ago. My score is higher (100%) when there is no noise around me, which is why I prefer to talk on the phone in a quiet place with no distractions.

Tonight is the annual fireworks display in Knoxville for the Boomsday festival. I'm hoping to go see and HEAR them with TWO ears! Have a great Labor Day!

Bilateral Cochlear Implant Anniversary

A year ago today I went under the knife again to have my second cochlear implant surgery. What a year it has been! I truly love hearing in surround sound and am forever thankful and grateful for the opportunity to hear this well in my lifetime!

Today (Wednesday) was an interesting day. I participated in a research study for a graduate student at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) in the Audiology department. I had to answer some general questions about my hearing history and my implants. Then she put me in a chair inside a sound booth. And attached five electrodes/sensors to my head and earlobes. I had to be very still and watch the movie "Finding Nemo" with close captioning and NO SOUND. The sound that I did hear in the booth was the word "she" repeated over and over THE WHOLE TIME! Imagine hearing "she-she-she-she-she-she-she" constantly while trying to watch TV . . . at varing levels of sound. When we started the test, she kept stopping and asking me if I was comfortable. I told her I was fine but she wasn't satisfied with her readings or whatever on her computer. She kept turning down the "she-she-she" volume and finally I told her that if I was at home trying to work on something and the TV was too loud, I would ask for the volume to be turned down. So, she turned it down a little more. It went up and down several times during the test. When the volume got louder, I could feel my heart racing faster. We took several breaks during the test so I could move around a bit, drink some water, etc. I was not allowed to move at all or cross my legs during the test. At one point my neck, shoulders, arms, and fingers got numb! The test lasted for about an hour (and I didn't get to finish the movie!) The student was very glad for my participation and I was happy to help. I got paid for doing it but I told her she could keep the money. She is looking for more participants in the Knoxville, TN area so leave a comment if you want to help her with her research project.

On Monday, I went to the same department for a mapping session for my cochlear implants. Last week I started having to replace my batteries EVERY day instead of every 2.5 days like I normally do. I sent in an order for batteries right away because I was running low FAST! I also sent an email to my representative at Cochlear about this wondering if I got a bad batch of batteries. She said it was probably my map or processor and advised me to see my audiologist. Luckily I already had my appointment with Julie set up weeks in advance. Julie did not want to map my processors because she was concerned that I had a defective one. It is still under warranty and she contacted Cochlear Corporation to order me a new one. In the meantime, I'm using a loaner processor. I could tell a difference in the sound right away when I started wearing it. It was as if someone turned the light on and the sound became clearer and crisper. BUT I'm still changing batteries once a day. Something still isn't right. Julie will let me know when the extra processor comes in and I'll get mapped before our insurance runs out next month. (Still working on that issue and it has consumed quite a bit of my time!)

Someone asked me if I was hearing new sounds and I had a hard time answering that. What I hear sounds so normal and complete that I don't really pay attention. But, I do notice the sound of the fan when the heat kicks on, the clicking of the ceiling fan in my office, the rising and ebbing sound of the rain on the roof, the pitter patter of the dogs' feet when I call them, etc. I also love the sounds of silence, too, early in the mornings - clocks ticking, birds chirping, the coffee maker making my coffee, certain people in this house (I'm not naming any names!) slurping their drinks, the dogs breathing or snoring under my desk, computer keys clicking, the increasing sound of the cars going by as they go to work, school, etc. I'm doing better on the phone but still have a phobia about answering it. I can hear and understand more and more phrases on the TV & radio. Life is good. I have no complaints!

Now, excuse me while I go finish "Finding Nemo" . . .

(Note: I've added a link on the side bar for my favorite posts that were buried in the archives. Enjoy!)

Wedding Vows

Just a few days ago I got a lump in my throat (the tears came after the ceremony) as Jason and Jessica recited their wedding vows, pledging their love and commitment to each other before God, family, and friends. And I could hear them. . .every single word. Because of the miracle of technology. . .

Thirty one years ago today, I married my best friend and true love. Thirty one years ago I spent hours carefully practicing, memorizing, and reciting our wedding vows in front of a mirror and with my mother. I did not want to miss a single word or stumble when it was time to say them during the ceremony. I was afraid I would not be able hear the ministers say them to me or say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Thirty one years ago Steve and I promised to love and to cherish one another forever. . .

And I hold those vows in my heart. . .every single day. . .

Happy Anniversary, Steve! I love you!