No Regrets

This week I had a third mapping of the cochlear implant.  Each time the audiologist gives me more volume so my hearing gets better and better.  I went into a department store after the visit and was shocked to realize I was hearing conversations of other shoppers not close by.  What a shock.

Before the implant I wondered if wearing the sound processor (the part that fits over the ear and attaches to the implanted magnet) would be a hassle.  Truthfully I have to feel it to know if it’s on my head.  I wear it from the time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night.

I continue to listen to audio and follow along in text to practice hearing.  Word recognition is a blessing to me.  It’s a relief to hear natural sounding voices now, but even if the mechanical sound had continued  that would be better than not hearing at all.  When I want to watch TV I turn on the TV Streamer and also frequently use the mini microphone in a crowd.

No regrets at this point about getting the implant.

Getting Used To Having A Magnet In My Head

I rarely pay any attention to wearing my Sound Processor any more. I am committed to wearing it all day, along with my hearing aid in the other ear.  I can hear so much better with the implant than the hearing aid.  I can see how it would be much better with both ears implanted, but I’m still not considering that until I have to.

I saw the audiologist on Monday for my second mapping.  It was time to turn up the volume a bit. She tested my hearing with the implant. I was shocked at the improvement from when I was using a hearing aid. Almost up to normal hearing level in that ear.

I had the magnet strength in my Processor increased a few weeks ago because it was easy to knock off of my head. Made a great difference. I also ordered and received a medical bracelet stating NO MRI.  If I’m in an accident, it could be disastrous for me and the magnet in my head to have an MRI. Since the processor would probably be knocked off there is no way for anyone to know I have the implant.

Voices are sounding more normal. I am recognizing familiar voices now.  I’m curious to see how long  it takes to sound completely normal. I continue to have trouble hearing in a noisy environment.

One Month Later

It has been a month since my implant activation, so it was time for my first appointment with the audiologist.  There are things that need to be done to the implant processor.  That’s called mapping and it is done in increments. They had told me at activation that I would be wanting more volume and that was true.  At activation I had just one “program” and that was just hearing in a general environment.  Now I have a setting for restaurant environment and forward focus which means I can focus on hearing just one person.

I had hoped to be able to filter out noise, but that is part of having an implant and it will fade in time. I also hear an echo which seems to be fading out in the last few days.  The audiologist was very pleased with my progress and I think I am too. 

The two implant accessories that I’m using are immensely helpful.  I use the mini microphone in group or crowd situations.  For example my pastor wore it when he was preaching and I was sitting near the backof the church and it streamed into my ears.   The TV Streamer streams into my ears as well.  I can turn each device off and on from my processor.

My next mapping appointment is in another month. My implant is a Cochlear N7 and I can call Cochlear customer service anytime I need help.  They are extremely knowledgeable.

Meanwhile I’m “practicing hearing.”