I had my 1 year follow up with the audiologist today and it went very well.
She shared with me that I "bring up the average" because my hearing has improved drastically from my pre-implant days. I'll try to explain it so follow along carefully:
The average adult who receives a Cochlear Implant (CI) needs "normal" conversation amplified about 16dbs (decibels) above the background noise (fans, wind, other conversations). The average adult with "normal" hearing hears conversation at -2.5dbs. PRE surgery I needed amplification at 19.5dbs and NOW with only the CI I only need it amplified around 4.5dbs and with BOTH hearing aid and CI I got 2dbs. for the average CI user they hear about 7dbs. So... I'm bringing up the curve- I need to be the "nerd" somewhere!
All I can REALLY tell you is that this is a good thing. A very. good. thing.
Bittersweet news of today was that I may not qualify for a CI just yet in my right ear. The reason for this is I still receive benefit from my hearing aid. I'm ok with this- actually this is good news, my hearing still works "well enough." My scores were high enough to be right "on the line" of whether or not it would be more beneficial to have a CI or not in my right ear. The audiologist reassured me that I'm young, I still benefit from the hearing aid and there will be more technological advances in the future. I also do not have to go back for another year... yay!
Wanna hear something way cool? The Audiologist saw at a conference that AB (my CI brand) is coming out with a WATER RESISTANT PROCESSOR(the thing I wear on my head)!!!!!!!!! How awesome is that? for FULL SUBMERSION under WATER... wow... I could swim AND hear at the same time? that's pretty amazing!
That's all I have for today- luckily, it's good news :)
Loves!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Whew!
What a year this has been!
I don't really have much to update you on, but I've tentatively decided to get the other ear done with a CI... we shall see though- I meet with my audiologist on Aug. 23rd and I'll chat with her about it some more. I'm also starting a new job with a new district closer to home therefore, new insurance. So this is a toss up as neither of my insurance options are as great as my previous district, but I'm hoping it's a "necessary procedure" or "preventative" or whatever silly words insurance companies like to throw out there and that it'll be covered as it costs a pretty penny ;) or a pretty arm and a leg- however you look at it!
One annoying thing about having a cochlear implant- when you're laying down and a dog jumps on your head and the magnet disconnects during a great (Sugarland) song. Speaking from experience of course. For those of you who don't know, the magnet connection is basically what turns on and off the sound to my auditory nerve.
I have also discovered that my magnet likes to disconnect if my head gets too close to the car when I jump in, literally it sticks the the car- kind of fun actually. To my dismay, only SOME regular magnets stick to my head- but that still makes me cooler than most of my friends as NO magnets stick to theirs ;) (I kid, I kid).
Josh (husband) and I went hiking up in Northern MN and wanted to find the magnetic rock to see if my magnet would be attracted to it- unfortunately it was not a well mapped or groomed trail and it looked like rain so we turned around before we got there. Rain and I (and my hearing equipment) are not the best of friends.
**Also-this is a biggie-
Music sounds better and better everyday. Sometimes when I look back on my (AWESOME) Wedding, I'm saddened that I couldn't hear/decipher hardly ANY songs. So now, when I go to wedding receptions I just sit and thoroughly enjoy the music. Amazing.
Well that's all I have to share for now! Take care lovelies!
I don't really have much to update you on, but I've tentatively decided to get the other ear done with a CI... we shall see though- I meet with my audiologist on Aug. 23rd and I'll chat with her about it some more. I'm also starting a new job with a new district closer to home therefore, new insurance. So this is a toss up as neither of my insurance options are as great as my previous district, but I'm hoping it's a "necessary procedure" or "preventative" or whatever silly words insurance companies like to throw out there and that it'll be covered as it costs a pretty penny ;) or a pretty arm and a leg- however you look at it!
One annoying thing about having a cochlear implant- when you're laying down and a dog jumps on your head and the magnet disconnects during a great (Sugarland) song. Speaking from experience of course. For those of you who don't know, the magnet connection is basically what turns on and off the sound to my auditory nerve.
I have also discovered that my magnet likes to disconnect if my head gets too close to the car when I jump in, literally it sticks the the car- kind of fun actually. To my dismay, only SOME regular magnets stick to my head- but that still makes me cooler than most of my friends as NO magnets stick to theirs ;) (I kid, I kid).
Josh (husband) and I went hiking up in Northern MN and wanted to find the magnetic rock to see if my magnet would be attracted to it- unfortunately it was not a well mapped or groomed trail and it looked like rain so we turned around before we got there. Rain and I (and my hearing equipment) are not the best of friends.
**Also-this is a biggie-
Music sounds better and better everyday. Sometimes when I look back on my (AWESOME) Wedding, I'm saddened that I couldn't hear/decipher hardly ANY songs. So now, when I go to wedding receptions I just sit and thoroughly enjoy the music. Amazing.
Well that's all I have to share for now! Take care lovelies!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Happy One Year to my Bionic Self!!
It's amazing what one year can do to change your life. Since August 13, 2010 I've been so blessed. More to come later- I'm off to an Irish Fest!
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