Carol services! - New C.I Moment!

Tonight, i'll be going to a Carol Service along with my family at a church near by tonight! Every year my family likes to go and I have always went with them.. Every year my mum has always booked an interpreter for that service. So, I wouldn't feel to much left out.

Everytime I went, when ever they sing, I used to get bored, I couldn't hear or follow the music. I used to look around at all theses pictures on the walls and ceiling. Once I embarrased my self. while everyone was singing, everyone stand up and sang. I stand up too with a book in my hand and didn't sing at all - I was looking at the ceiling full of different jesus pictures and while I were looking at them, somehow, I didn't realise it has come to the end of the song and that everyone sat down, I just carried on looking at these pictures and then my dad tapped me and said you can sit down now lol, heres me being the last person to sit down; how embarrasing!

Not only that, before each song they noraml say the page number for what song, even though i had an interpreter, I didn't get what she said because someone head got in the way and I then tapped on this wooden share to get my brother attention, I didn't realise I was tapping loud and that my mum said "ssshhh" I was like opps, sorry. ( I have no hearing awareness)

After all thoses years going, tonight hopefully it be different, there will be an interpreter still, but hopefully, i'l be able to follow them singing by following the lyrics. I had some practise with my mum by playing online carol songs and I followed them well. So, night i should be able to too.

anyway thats it for me now, have a NICE XMAS. I hope santa has given you plenty of gifts :-)

xx

How weird was that?

Ever since I've had a new setting after I had problems with twitching in the eye, well today at university I was in the canteen and I didn't get a twitch at all. It seems like I am happy with my new settings.

The only thing I found that is so weird is that Carina my audiologist has set p2 as my old mapping that I had before 9 months so if i had any problems like twitching with the new mapping that is now on p3 the I could switch it back to the p2 to my old mapping. Well, today I had no twitch I just thought I'll see what my old map sound like.

I thought i'll watch eastenders with my new one which sounds better and watch easterends repeat with my old one, as I tried it - everthing sounded robotic on my old setting, each character sounded like a cartoon charactor, it is weird on how quickly you could adapt to the new setting and not liking the old one. After doing that it really does tell me that sounds do get better once you are used to it and one you've had new settings.

Has the twitching disappeared?

Today I went back to Ropewalk, after experience some twitching.

As I went in the audiologist room where they get me connected up to the computer, I explained to carina what was hapening and when do I get a twitch. Carina explained that some people do tend to twitch on loud sounds or when they are going through the different sound when changing the electroces levels.

As she exlplained, she then connected me up to sort the problem out. Carina was to go through all the electrodes and putting them at loud sounds and for me to tell her when it makes me twitch or if she could see the twitching. While going through some, she played the tone and only a few of them causes the twitch and when it twitch she then turn down that electrodes that causes it, after going through thoses electrodes carina switched me back and and to test the loudness of it and see if it was ok. After turning it down on some of the electrodes I felt much better and didn't feel a twitch while she was talking. Carina and Richard decided to make other noise like banging the table or clapping there hands. I then had no twitch which was good. Carina thinks the twitches is caused by loud sounds, the implant was too loud for me, I did thought it was too loud, no wonder my implant was turn right down. Now thats sorted, carina has change the p1 2 and 3 setting. P-1 is for the loop, p-2 is before 9 months mapping and p3 is the new map i have now and using now. Carina thought I should have the setting that I had before 9 months on my processor as I never had problems, so if twitches or anything does happen I can switch on to P2.

Since switch on and every other mapping. I have been struggling to uses thoses scales that say no audio, soft > Meduim> Comfortable> Loud etc I founded it dificult to judge was loud and what was soft so that was another reason why my implant sounded to loud.

So, now I am out of the implant centre, everything sounded ok and it not robotic. which is good. I went out this evening and had no problems so far. So, tomororw i'll be back in university - hopefully going in the canteen or any other loud area it won't make a twitch.

Eye twitching

As I mention a few days ago that I had twitching in my eye on every loud sound, it hasn't stopped at all, yesterday it continued to do it at the xmas meal. I had do the same again, turn it down then when I left i turn it back to 12 o'clock.

Since it hasn't stopped, I have now decided to go back for a new programme and see if the audiologist can see whats causing the twitching. it maybe it just too loud. So, tomororw I have an appointments at ropewalk to sort it out. Just in time for xmas as I don't want to have much problem

so, I will keep you all posted on how it got on.

Xmas Meal - Woah! what's that noise?

Today, I went out with a group of friends from my university class for a christmas meal

All my friends are hearing and I am the only one that is deaf. Its the first time I ever went out for a meal, I went to a party once with them before, but I never went out for a meal with hearing peers before.

I had a great time, the communication between us wasn't much of a problem; they were all very deaf aware. They knew they had to face me if they want to talk to me so I could lip-read them, when they all talking together as a group, one of them would tell me what the topic about and make it easier or me to know they are talking about.

As we were eating the meal, we all had Crackers and Party poppers. I never knew they made noise. I turn the other way talking to my friend, josphine and one of my friends set a party popper off and made a loud bang. As I were talking to her, I suddenly turn around and said what was that, then I saw theses colourul straw coming from it. I was like wow, I didn't know they made noises.

Also, I had a xmas cracker, josephine helped me pull mine and I helped her to pull hers to open it. They also made a noise as we were pulling it. I didn't even know they would. I mean, last year I remenber pulling it and that was about it, you see it rip and get to see what inside it. I didn't at all think they would make sounds - How strange.

So, I learnt something new today. Not only I heard that, normally if we're in a noisey place ever time I talk to someone, they would ask me to repeat because I talk so quiet, after going back to uni for the last lecture. I realise that the loudness of my speech was ok while I were in the resturant as I didn't needed to repeat at all. So, that's good and now know when to raise my voice.

Eye twitching on loud sounds?

Ever since i've had my 9 months tuning; I have experience a few twitching in my eye.
problems at all untill I went to the canteen for lunch. I sat down with a few friends and everytime a very loud sound comes along
I have never experience anything like this before. It all started after my 9 months tuning. After my implant been change to a new setting, I was switched back on and listening with the volume was set as 12 o'clock and when my audiologist ask how it was, and did a few noise to see if it sounded ok and if its too loud or not. I thought the sounds felt fine and it was comfortable to listen to, it wasn't too loud or wasn't too quiet. As we finished with the new mapping we went back in this room for another hearing test, everything sounded alright and things wasn't loud. I was happy to go home with that level.

When I got home everything was fine, I had no problems, nothing bothered me or anything and I didn't need to turn it down or turn it up, I was just happy on where the volume was set.

As I went to university the next day, I had no my eye would twitch a little. I had 4 hearing friends with me at the time, and every time my eye twitch, it looks like I were winking at them.

The twitching didn't bothered me at all at first, but after about half an hour when more louds sound jumps in the twitching continue to repeat and at every loud sounds it did it again and again. So, i thought i'll turn the implant down a little bit to see if it made any different; the slight twitching did stopped.

When I went back in lecture, I would turn my implant back to the normal level the white dot would be facing upwards to 12 0'clock. When I were at home, it would stay on the same level.

The next day at lunch time in university it happened again and had to turn it down.. It didn't just happend at uni, it happen when i went to clothes live show, with the loud music. I enjoyed it but had to turn it down a bit because of the slight twitching then when i left the building i would turn it up back to 12 0'clock.

Yesterday I went to the ear foundation social, becuase there were loads of people, it was loud I didn't turn it down, and when I was in the room where the food was, dyan who is my speech and language therispt was walking around and I could hear her heels clashing to the floor making a loud tap, my eye started to twitch on each step she made. I didn't turn it down as I thought it would only last a few minutes and I was ok with it.

When I went in the room where most people was, I heard group of children running around, screaming etc My twitching got worse so I turn it right down so I was happy.

I did tell dyan about it, and ask her if it was normal to have that? she thinks I should go back and get it sorted - she said she will mention it to carina. I did thought about e-mailing my audiologist last week, but I decided to give it a few days see if it the twitching decrease as it was still early days of just getting used to the new mapping.

I am happy with the mapping I got, just the twitching that tend to bother me in the nosey area. when I am at home or in a place where there not much noise I would want to turn it back to 12'oclock but if i was in a place where its noisey the volume is turned right down. - I wouldn't dare turn it up any louder cos either my brain would shake or i would get more twitching lol.

so, I'm just wondering what I should do, get it turn down just a little or leave it the way it is and just turn it down when i go to a noisey place. The twitch doesn't hurt at all, it just like someone tapping. I never had that problem before, so this is new.

Is this normal, and have anyone had the same problem? Would the twitching fade away if I leave it and become used to it?

Talking In Public - C.I xmas social!

I can't believe I have used my voice out loud to room full of people! I must of been talking for more that half an hour and had all eyes on to me. It all felt like a dream to me and its not like me talking to loads of people. Since being deaf and not hearing my own voice before implanted, I would just normally use sign language or get someone to voice over for me, this time it was the other way round. Can you believe it?

Today I was at 'The Ear Foundation Xmas Social' It was organised by me, david and Abi. The Xmas social was for us to get a chance to meet other implantees and enjoy the xmas fun.

While everyone were enjoying the xmas gathering. I had to do a Xmas quiz - My job was to tell everyone the rules, read out the questions and also give them the answer at the end. I can't believe I did that, I would never do anything like that before, I have never ever talked through a microphone before. I felt like a pop star; even though i wasn't singing ,lol.



Using my voice today - wow! isn't it just briliant. I didn't think I would see myself doing something like that once I have had the imlpant. Its a massive achievement. I felt so happy and proud that my confidents has grown more about using my speech not only to the people I know well, but in a group of people i don't know. I was so happy about the comments I had recieved from my speech language theripst, Dyan. She was the xmas social too. ;-D It was good to see her and get her involved in the 12 days of xmas singing and signing.




Not only i did the quiz, I also called out the numbers from the raffles, it felt like i was a bingo caller. <<- - Hey, that's my new job, NOT!! I am so looking forward to do more of this, who knows maybe next time, I probably see myself on stage acting and BUT using my voice next time < - I love acting, I have done a quite alot of pantos though I have never done it with my voice on and it has always been me using sign language. So, if i was to be in another pantomine and you won't see me signing, you'll be hearing my Voice

Signing 12 days of xmas

The 3 organisers of the day (abi, david and me)

So, that's it for me, i'm off to put my feet up and relaxs after a hard day, anyway hope you all had a good day and going so well with your xmas shopping! it isn't long now, woop!

Fashion Show -New C.I moment

Over the weekend, while stopping at a friends house for a weekend. Lizzie and I took a visit to NEC in Birmingham to watch a fashion show. Lizzie and I are a big fan of clothes and we're always into anything fashion.

When we were at NEC we took a walk round at these clothes store and we came up to this thing that had head phones and you can listen to this music. Lizzie and I tried it out, becuase lizzie has had her implant for a long time, she had better experience than me and could Identify music right away, where I couldn't unless I heard it before. So, as I tried it out, I could hear the music very well. I have never tried big headphones like that before and never heard out of them. So, that day was the firs time i heard out of them and could hear the beats of the disco music.

Not only I heard out the head phones. This cat walk show started at half 12 and it had a big audiance where more than 2,000 people were there watching. We both manage to sit on row 'H' which wasn't to far off from the stage and as I sat down I could hear loads of people chatting away - I couldn't make out what they were saying, but didn't want to be rude and lip-read them to follow their convosation, lol.

When the show started a famous person walked on stage 'veron kay along with alesha dixon'- who presented the cat walk show.

When Veron started talking, I listened very carefully and I could hear what he were saying - I felt so pleased as I was able to pick out most words without having to look at him - it was so nice to meet him, Not only 'veron kay' were there.

A girl band called 'The saturdays' I have never been to a live show wih my implant before and seening that group sing was awesome - I could hear their voices along with the backing music. Now i have become a fan of 'The saturdays' and brought there single to put on my ipod.

so, what a day - brilliant experience and another C.I moment, Woop!

Me and lizzie

Check out 'The Saturday' song that they peformed to us! It has good beats - Hope you enjoy it

Away from Home and A phone call from?

Over the past week, I was hardly at home because of university, seening friends, football training and away for the weekend etc.

Since I haven't been home much, every time I arrive at home, my mum wasn't there, I seem to have missed her since she works different times and everytime she arrives home, I wasn't there. so, while I were at a friends house for a full weekend after playing in a football tournament, watching a Live Fashion Show and going to a Deaf Social night.

Finally I got to sit down rest at my mates. While resting, my phone was in my pocket, if i recieve a text it bleeps once, I would normally hear that as it quite loud. This timie, my phone ended up bleeping loads of times, I was like, eh, thats not normal. so, I took my phone out - looked at my phone screen and it said "Mum" I was like, why would mum be ringing me, she noramally text me.

So, I thought, I answer it and see if i my mum realised she ringing me and decided to put the phone down. I answered it and said "hello" I then listened and see if i could make out what she would say.

The first thing my mum said was "How are you, can you hear me ok"? I heard all of it very well, and I said "yeah I can hear you, why are you ringing me?" My mum turn round and said, she thought she'll give me a practise!

We spoke for a while, normally my short phone call would last less than 5 minutes, this time it lasted more than 10 minutes. We had a good covonversation, she was missing me and wanted to see how I am! I was really impressed with myself that I could hear my mum very well and clear and only had to ask her to repeat once. My mum was so pleased that I could hear her so well and now, she said she'll ring me everytime I am away to give me more practice and when she missing me, aw isn't that sweet! :-D

How amazing is that! I loved every minute of my phone call and now I wanna try a have a go at ringing someone esle!

9 months - what a result!

Woah, it's been almost a week ago since I've had my 9 months mapping, and still, i haven't yet posted it up! I have been soooo busy and I haven't found the time to pop on the computer untill today, yep i'm having a lazy day!

here we are..

Monday 1st Drc - 9months mapping

Unlike other mapping, I would normal get connected to the computer and get my implant turn up and altered on different frequency. This time, it was different, instead of getting connected up, I went striaght for a hearing test.

Carina wanted to see how I am hearing now with the mapping I have right now before she could do any changes. So, I went in a and the usual hearing test we I need to press the button every time i heared a sound.

The test went well, I heared alot of it, I just wasn't hearing the very quiet sounds but I was hearing better than the last test with the same mapping.

So, after I had the test; Carina then knows what needs changing.

So, in the room where i got connected up to the computer for the implant to be programmed again. Carina first check how well my nerves responsed, which i didnt have to do anything accept sit down and relax.

After that was done, I had to listen out for the sounds and point to this paper that says: loud, medium, or soft etc.

After that was done, I went back and did some test,

I did the BKS test, beat last time result and got 90%
Cuny test again, I beat last time score and got 90%

I was pleased to do my result and coudnlt believe how much i have improved in 9 months, how briliant is that.

After i did those test, Carina decided to challenge me and I tried this new test that i have never ever done before, I did a BKS test but with a noisy background, which was all hissing sounds. I had to guess what that person say, I didn't do to bad and got 36% or 38% for the very first time.

Now all my mapping is over, I don't need to be back at the implant centre till my 18months.

so, thats my 9 months result - sorry it took soooo long to post it up.

(the picture is me my friend Lizzie who has a NF implant both wearing our new winter hat)

I'm Buzzzin!

I can't believe November is almost over. This year flew by so quick! This monday will be the 1st of Dec, woop! It's freezing over here, still, we had no snow yet, grr!

On Monday,

*I'll be putting up my count down advent calandar (i'm a big kid) - hmmmm, chocolate <- All for me, (hehe)

* Going to Ropewalk for my 9months mapping <- I really can't wait to see how much my results has improved (watch out for 9months postin)

* Putting up the xmas tress and decoration. I so can't wait to hear the bells and the talking santa that we have. First xmas with a C.I - should I decorate my DRI box too? lol

* hopefully do some more xmas shopping, that's if i'm not stuck on my xmas tree.

I am not only doing a count down for xmas, I am also looking forward to going to London on the 15th to See 'Gareth Gates' performing Cinderella and going hopefully I will get to hear big ben clock going " DING-DONG, when I go near it.

anyway, that's it for me now.

keep coming back and don't forget to comment ;-)

Enjoy the new playlist - let's get into the xmas spirit!

2nd Implant!

7 months later after being switched on, I am now hearing, smiling and enjoying my life alot better with my C.I it just gets better < - I'm always saying this!

My right ear is just doing nothing. H-aids are hopeless. Should I get a 2nd C.I? well, I want one, I would love to hear out of both ears, I would then be all ears.

Since reading the N.I.C.E reports said :

They now recommends Unilateral implantation for those who do not benefit from hearing aids and simultaneous bilateral implantation for children and adults who are blind.

Reading this, It looks like it going to be alot harder for me to have a 2nd one. Though, I wonder if that's gonna change in the future, I do hope so. I guess I just have to wait and see.

Bionic-to-be!

Since I have had the implant, its good to help other who is going through the assessment, surgery and post activation, because I have been through the same boats and know what it like to go through.

Now, I have been meeting more and more implant users, and has enjoyed listening to their experinces and sharing my experince. I can't believe how many friends I have that has a Cochlear Implant and how many of them I have met.

If we didn't have the support, we wouldn't get very far. So, I'm pleased to see that people are around to help each other; let continue to do this!

So, here are some new implantee or implantee to be. Check out their blog storys.

Kirsty,

I first met kirsty during the time she were at her assessment stages, she wanted to talk and meet someone about cochlear implant, and I was happy to go ahead and talk to her about it. Now she has finally had her operation last tuesday and it went so well, all the best on your switch on date on the 12th (GOOD LUCK)

Here's kirsty blog links : http://bionic-chick.blogspot.com/

Amanda,

I spoken to Amanda alot through CIUG website and became good friends on facebook and Msn, she is a photographor. check out her site : I first met manada over the weekend as we went to Deaf social night and we also celebrate her birthday and have a good chat about cochlear implant along with Richard and a locoal implantee, Abi that also had C.I. After talking to her, it help her to take things off her mind worrying about the operation. Amanda is having her operation this thurs (Good Luck) we'll be all thinking of you.

here's Amanda blog links: http://getdowntothesound.blogspot.com/

Please do check out their blogs!

New C.I moment. - Noisy Zoo!

Today, because it was my day off at universtiy, myself and Richard decided to spend a day at Twycross Zoo.

I have been to twycross zoo loads of time, but everytime i go, it was just all visual, and so silent.

Visiting the Zoo today has been amazing, I didn't realise the zoo can be sooo noisy, the monkey made so much noise and they all had different sounds. It was good to hear different sounds from chimp, gorillas, parrots, elephant. This has been my first experince with them, check out a few pictures that were taken

Getting a ride from a gorilla (this is a statue, not a real one)
He's sooo cute! this was the noisy one!

*more will be uploaded soon - to see them now, check out my facebook >>>..

New C.I moment

Last night, just before it was my bedtime. I came back from some mates house, which we had loads of fun. We all ended up talking about Ghost, for some reason. It was Jess that brought that up and she even told us a ghost story that her dad told her.

When I go home decided to jump on my bed and carry on reading my book. The room was sooo quiet and that no-one was in the room, accept me.

As I was reading my book (nobody perfect) I still had my cochlear implant on, normally I would take it off and put it away to bed (dri box) half an hour before bed, this time i didn't.

I heard a strange noise, which sounded like a cat, meiow at me. I looked around to see wheather it was my cat in the room, looking at me, which she usually meiow at me if she is hungry or wants a fuss. I looked around, she wasn't around. How weird was that, I even checked under my bed to see if she was there.

In the end, I gaved up looking for her and got back to reading my book. The noise started again. I had these wierd idea thinking it was a ghost, I do have a crazy mind.

I hate talking about ghost, sometimes it takes me ages to get to sleep, even if i watched a horror film, I would normal be behind the sofa trying to avoid watching it if i were at my mates house.

As the noise goes on and on, I gaved up and went downstairs, I asked my mum to come up in my room. I told her I was hearing these weird noises, my dad laughted, he said "maybe it is a ghost" Now, he's trying to wind me up, lol.

When my mum got into my room, she said she can't hear anything. I told her to wait and sit on my bed and be quiet. Finally, I heard it again. "Mum, did you hear that?," I said. My mum, walked by the window and said your window isn't fully shut! I knew that, I just wanted it a little open because it got too hot in the room at night. My mum said "the noise comin from your window." I was like "uh??, but why would it make that noise" I didn't realise that the wind blowing through the tiny gap makes a weird sound! it was like wooooo, ooooo! So, after I realised, I went downstairs for a bit. My dad said " did the ghost jump out at you" Now, he is trying to wind me up. I just ended saying "yeah, it did, do you want to meet him?" lol.

Hearing the wind howling was all new to me, and yes, another C.I moment. How great was that!!

anyway, more news - today, I received a letter from England(football), I got called up, again - woop! I wonder where we heading off to next, eh! "

Also, I got a new award for 'The Top Health Blogger'. It is now up at the side of this post!

My brother got his own back on me!

Have you ever done something so cruel to someone and that someone tried to get their own back on you?

I have a little brother, and he's hearing. We're both so close and spend most of our time hanging out with each other and almost go anywhere together. My brother has always been so protective over me and that he like to help with my communication.

Anywhere where I go, he's always making sure I fit and and understands what everyone saying. He is actually thinking about being an interpreter when he leaves school.

Sometime, my brother and I like to tease or wind each other up.

Last year, sometimes around 6pm, my brother had finished school fallen asleep on the sofa. My sister dared me to get a saucepan with a spactular and hit it to make a LOUD noise to wake him up. As I did it, he woked up with a big shock. We all thought it was funny and my brother said " Right, I am gonna get my own back on you"

Since I was deaf, he was unable to do that to me, whenever I fall asleep anyone can make any noise and what ever noise there is, I wouldn't wake up! That's a good thing about being deaf, coz no-one can disturb your beauty sleep :-P

Now I had a cochlear implant, normally I wouldn't fall asleep with it because the noise would distract me and may never get to sleep.

Friday, after I finished university there was no-one home accept my dogs. The first thing I did was let the dogs in the garden and sat down in the living room.

As I sat down I thought I start reading the new book by marlee matlin (nobody's perfect) After a long day, I nodded off to sleep not realising that I left my implant on because the room was soooo quiet!

I must been asleep for about half an hour and that my brother came home from school with his mate that was stopping for tea. My brother and my mate walked into the room, they both saw me asleep, my brother didn't worry to much about the noise he makes becuase he thought I would of took my implant offm like I always do.

Then, while they both were on the playstation, my brother said to my mate "why does she sleep with her implant one" My brother said "she doesn't". Still, I had no idea they were home I must be very tired and went into a deep sleep

Since my brother realise I still had my implant on. Guess what he decided to do?

Got the saucepan and the Spactular and BANG! BANG! BANG!

I heard that and woked up with a big shock! How cruel is he, eh?

My brother got so excited, he couldn't wait to tell my mum the whole story! lol.

I guessed my brother ment every word when he said he'll get his own back. lol This proves the implant works well for me very well!

New C.I moment - Food Shopping

Early this morning, I have woken up so early. Unlike most weekend, I like to have a little lie in when theres no football training or matches, because I got up so early, I decided to go food shopping with my dad. This was the first time in ages!

While I were pushing the trolley up and down these lanes and my dad was reading the food-list that my mum has written, my dad picked up these foods from the shelf, putting them in the trolley. As I were pushing this trolley, I notice a sounds, but didn't know where it were coming from. The noise sounded like someone screaming, it only seem to happen when I were pushing it and it stopped, when I stopped the trolley. So, I tried again, push it and stop it. After repeating my move, and watched the trolley. I then clicked on, and I realized where the noise were coming from ,heres me going "Ah-ha, Bingo!! Dad, did you hear that?"

My dad said "yeah, it's from the wheels of the trolley". I was like "wow!" but at the same time going "eurgh! That sounded horrible" So, now i knew what was making that horrible noise after a while, I got fed up with it. I said to dad, "these people looking at me as if it made me feel like I am making the noise, when I'm not!"

My dad said "don't worry, only two more lanes to go" I was like, Oh-No, even more people going to look at me! In the end, I did turn round and said " Dad, why not I collect the food and you push the trolley" My dad seems to agree, for some reason, he forgot his glasses and was struggling to read my mums writing. No wonder he took ages to read one word and acting weird towards the small bit of paper! I just hope he got half of the list right when we got home, lol.

So, we swap and dad had all the attention from the people, When he pushed his trolley. He didn't mind, but I was smiling all the way every time it made a sound. I was please that I could hear it, and also heard sounds from the paying desk when they scanned the food, it made two bleeps per an item

So, Some tips for me when I next go food shopping, is to make sure the wheels on the trolley are not old and noisy!

New C.I moment - Fireworks

This evening I went to watch fireworks along with my family at a local park that has organised it.

It the first time I ever heard fireworks. I didn't know they whistle as they go up. Though, I did know they used to make a bang as I used to feel the vibration to the loud ones. They make all different sounds and its so amazing. I love fireworks, they are so beautiful in the black sky.

I also heard sparklers popping and crackling today, I didn't know they make noises too.

How good can this hearing journey gets. There so much I have learn in the past 6 months. I certainly can't wait to see what I can hear during xmas and new year :-)

Adult C.I Users Day (Ear Foundation)

Yesterday, I got a chance to spend a day at the Adults C.I user day at the Ear Founation, Nottingham. Despite being the youngest of them all and alot of them were much older than me, I totally enjoyed it and enjoyed meeting others.

I actually learnt alot in one day, I learnt about all theses new techonology and what you can add to you cochlear implant with Andrew the Audiologist. There were so many things you can add which actually impress me. I even got to try out this Ipod with this loop thing, but unfortunally it didn't work as my implant wasn't programmed for that, never mind hopefully it will next time.

We also talked about radio aids,telephone and any other equipment that will work with the implant. So, here me thinking about trying out this small radio aid system and see if it helps me at university, so, gotta get in touch with my audiogist and give it a try!

There also great speech listening advice from Maria. Maria gave us different website links, which has listening practise of different people with different accents, also about the hearingjourny - Theres a thing that you can download of your ipod and listen to too. It was very useful, already me and Richard has given it a go to see how it helps us.

After a good morning session, we had lunch and I got a chance to talk to other implantees, it was interesting to hear their experinces. Also it was good to share my experinces to those who are thinking about having a Cochlear Implant or who already has them.

After a good hour of talking to others. We had a visitor called Geoff Plant from Boston, US. He was very entertaining and gave us informative session about getting the most out of music with our implants. While he were playing the music, it was great to be able listen to the music that he played. Some I was able to hear and I manage to follow a few words with the lyrics. Most of the group reconised these types of music soome were quite old, for me, I had no knowlodge about these types of music and it was good to learn something new. I actually had some help from sue who works at the ear founation, she told me who were these music are made by. Just because I didn't know who the artist were, it certainly didn't stop me dancing and the others join in with me. It good to liven everyone up. :-)

Since I am new to music, I also got a chance to share one of my music that I first started to listen to. Alot of them never heard it because it now in the charts these days but I was pleased they enjoyed it too.

After a enjoyable session, it was good to catch up with my speech therapy she was please that my voice is getting better - I'm pleased to hear that I am using it. Also, my old audiologist that I did all my assessment. She notice that I've change and how my confidence has grown.

The other good thing was, they had an interpreter during Geoff session. I was able to cut down on using the interpreter by lip-reading and listening to Geoff. He was quite clear and I was able to understand him. The only time I used the interpreter is was when there somthings I didn't understand or when the others spoken where I couldn't see there lips. so, there some acheivement in me. :-) woop!

Just before I left the ear foundation, some implantee from C.I.UG yahoo group have asked me to bring my pumpkins that had a C.I. So, I brought them in to show them to the rest of the group. They all loved it. I was surprised on how many of them them wanted pictures. It's seem like my little pumpkins has become popular and famous. It's was a shame they had no arms to give autographs away, ha ha.

anyway, that's it for me now. It's has been a long and a great week.

keep coming back for more future post ;-)

The battery dead, I'm slow!

When your implant battery dead, don't you feel so slow untill you have put a new one in?

Since i've had the cochlear implant and hearing thousands of things, I've been soo lively and that I am like a big kid that never want to grow up. (these pictures shows you that I don't want to grow up). I'm always out and about and having fun.

When the battery dead. I feel so slow that I am a robot that won't walk or go out unless it has a new battery!

Don't any of you feel the same when the battery dead?

This time last year!

Do not look and read this post if your squeamish : some pictures might put you off. close your eyes and scroll down the page to see the pumpkins :-P


This time last year, has been one of thoses days I shall not forget it been one of the most painful experince I have ever been through. The reason for that. I was actually in hospital with a serious ankle injury after playing football and a nasty tackle by another player has caused 3 ligaments in my ankle to snap.

After being taken to hospital I had no choice but to have an operation to fixed the ligaments. That time the surgeon said that I may not get the full movement back in the ankle again which I was pretty upset that it might affect my football cerear. After 5 and half hour surgery to fix the ligaments. I had to be put in a cast for 9 weeks to heal and to hop around with crutches for 12 weeks

9 weeks was along time for me, it really did annoy you when you needed a scratch but couldn't and we wasn't allowed to put anything down there to scratch it. Also the crutches really did get on my nerves because I needed to use my hands to communicate as I refused to use my voice at the time and every time I wanted to say something I hand to stop and get my hands out to sign what I want to say.

Every 3 weeks, my cast was removed and then replaces with a new cast because it was getting lose and was able to move my foot around a bit in it. So, while they changed the cast I was allowed to pick a colour, so first 3 weeks I had blue, the 2nd 3 weeks I had bright green and the last 3 weeks I had purple. That was the only thing I liked about the cast because the colours.

After 9 weeks being in a cast it was finally removed and my scar is neat (you can see in the picture) and the MRI pictures shows that my ligaments was all fixand the cast was ready to be taken off. I coundn't remove my foot at all when they remove it. It was sooooo stiff that I had to have alot of rehabiliation at the physio. I was at physio almost every day for 2 hours for a good 3 months. It was hard going to physio and going to college to catch up the works I missed. The first 3 weeks of physio I was learning to put weight on my foot again and eventually I was able to walk without crutches, I was pleased about that as I did hate them.

We did lots of foot work exercise and I also had lots of massage from the physio to help it relax and get it to move. Physio can be very painful but at some point I enjoyed physio because the last half an hour we got to play badminton or volley ball on our bums. It was fun and it helps me to stay motivated and work hard with my foot movement. After 3 months of rehab my foot finally had some movements and I was able to walk, jog, jump and run. The only thing I couldn't do is turn my foot inwards fully, which that is the only movement I won't be able to do and still can't do it.

I got back into football after being out for almost 7 months. There were lots of fitness training to catch up on but the only problem I had was I wasn't able to dribble quicker with my left foot like I used to. So, I learnt to use my right foot and became better at it. So, bacially I just use my right foot to either shoot or cross the ball and my right foot to dribble to different spaces, before I just used my left foot all the time.

It shows that I worked soo hard and that I didn't give up. Now after a year of hard work I have manage to make 2 caps for england and I am looking forward to make more international caps :-D

Pumpkin with a C.I

This evening me and Richard decided to have fun and make a Pumpkin, not only it had a evil face, we tried to make it have a Cochlear implant. It was tricky, but wedid it :-D

so, here's us making them!

Me with my plain Pumpkin!
Richard with his pumpkinYuk, how horrible is this!

Woohoo, he's made his hole!
and I've have done mine too ;-DWoop, i've finally finished the face! ;-)Richard has too!

It took us a while to cut out the faces! Now it was time to do the cochlear implant. And check this out!

Here's mine with an Advanced Bionic Cochlear implant with a t-mic just like mine :-DHere's Richard's pumpkin with a Cochlear 3G
All finished and this is the results in the dark. Mines on the left and richards on the right. Phew, that was hard work but it was great fun!

New Blog photo (Halloween)

Check out the new blog photo that I have created for this weeks Halloween! I'm so looking forward to the halloween party. This year I am attending two halloween party, woohoo!

What do ya think to the pictures? - let me know!

Even my dogs Oscar (vampire) and Lady (devil) loves there out fit that they will be wearing at the party too. and You could see Lady above tried to put a evil face on. lol

Anyway, I better set off now, I have got some pumpkins to make! I'm gonna see if I can make one with a cochlear implant. It's tricky but it'll be fun :-P

It's been a while!

Hey, I'm back.

Well, I didn't go anywhere, apart from being soooo busy with the univeristy life. I mean, the amount of assignments we get, it seems like i'm gonna get grey hairs in my 20's. lol.

anyway, how's the 'hearing' of mine. I must say, it's still improving and its still getting better. I begining to wonder if I could have a 2nd implant on my right ear. That way I could hear out of both ears. Well, doubt that will happen just yet with the NICE guildline etc. I suppose i'll have to wait so, that's what i'm hoping for at the moment. The hearing aid for the right ear is pointless. I never bothered wearing it.

My confidence is still growing and I've now notices that I don't rely on the interpreters as much now than I used to. I still have them at university, but I do like to listen to the lectures myself and if I didn't quite understood what's being said, I look at the interpreters.

I also like to use my voice alot more now. At uni, I'm always chatting away with my mates and I do like to answer any question that the lectures ask my self, poor interpreter that I have sits there and do nothing and only does some work when I ask them something. My English is also improving, it's getting better and hearing the language makes it easier. :-)

So, what have I heard over the past few weeks? I heard Voices on the tv that I am able to understand some words without subtitles. Last weekend I watched the X-factor.

X-factor is another talent show that I've started to watch. Last year, I never bothered with it. This year, I have been because I able to hear them sing. While I were watching it, they were at the stage where they had to vote someone off, because the subtitle delay while the programme is on 'LIVE' I got fed up waiting to see who were voted off, so, I tried to listen to the names they called out between the 2 people that won't be coming back the following week. So, when they shout out the name that is not coming back to next week live show, I was able to follow it. Wow, I was surprised that I heard the name right. woop!

anyway, over the next 2 weeks. I have alot of things coming up. I have a Halloween day at Alton towers with a few friends, I have still not yet decided on what to wear, though I better nip into town this week to get some halloween dress, maybe I should be a witch or a maybe grotbags. It be good to see what spooky noises I could hear while I'm at alton towers. Last year I went and I dressed up as a devil and while we were walking one of my hearing friends jumped out from behind theses trees and I were looking the other way and he shouted boo! Somehow, he forgot that I were deaf and I didn't respond to him or got scared by him when he tried to make me jump. This year, now I can hear, I better watch out!!!

Saturday next week, theres an Adults C.I users day going off at the Ear Founation, so, this should be a good day for me to attend and see what new to learn and of course meet some other C.I users. so, I'm looking forward to that ;-)

Also there bonfire night coming up. I'm dying to see some fireworks setting off, so, hopefully I will hear it. I haven't yet heard them so that's something I'm really looking foward to.

so, that's it for me now and Happy Halloween, ;-P Don't get too frighten and please be careful with the fireworks,make sure you stand somewhere that is safe to watch!


take care
k x

Meeting and Hearing My Idol!

Heard of Gareth Gates? Well, if you don't know him he was in the first series of pop Idol and came 2nd.

Pop Idol is a talent show which they have thousands of singers that want a record label. Since it first started I didn't really bothered with it and all my family watched it. Since Gareth entered that showed and when I first saw him. I start to enjoy watching him because he was handsome and of course he never let his stammer affect his singing. At first I thought there were something wrong with the subtitles as he was saying "G-G-G-Gareth" Which turn out to be that he has a severe stammer.

Since he never let his stammer get to him, I have enjoyed watching him even though I couldn't hear his voice weather it was good or not. Throughout the show I have supported him all the way and watch Pop Idol every week till the final. When I found out he didn't win the final and Will Young won it. I was pretty gutted though he did work so hard.

Since it finished and didn't win the record label. He got sign up by another record label and since then I have become a big fan of him and went to a few of his tours and met him at some of his signing Cd session. I have all his Cd, I have my bedroom covered in Gareth Gates poster but ever Since I have liked him I never heard his songs even though I have read his lyric.

Since I have now got the implant and I am able to hear. I've been listening to his music on my ipod all the time. Even though he hasn't stop singing. He has gone to try something different and has lot's of exciting things coming up this year.

This december he's in a panto which I am going to london of the 15th of Dec with my mum to watch him perform Cinderalla. He's going to be the handsome prince. I am so excited to see Gareth at the panto, it will be the first time I am able to hear his voice as in person because last time I met him I couldn't hear him and had to lipread him in silent to understand him

So, bring on December. I can't wait to meet my idol again!

6 month!

wooohoo, I finally get to celebrate my '6 months journey' well, on the appointment letter it say 3 months and guess what I'm certainly going up hill and getting better.

Last thursday, I went for my 6 months reveiw. Just like the other mapping I got connected up and going though some bleeping test to tune up my implant After I was set at a right level, Carina switched me back on again :-D. When I were switched on the volume sounded a little different but the speech were much more clearer and it sounded better.

So, after all the tuning we did a hearing test to see how much I am hearing. I'm starting to hear more quiet sounds which is great. After that we did those BKS test and CUNY test (the boring old man)

Wooohooo, done them and guess what the results are...

BKS - tested at 60db - 50%
Cuny - tested at 60db - 85%

When we did the test, Carina and I couldn't belive the results and it showed that I have worked so hard and that's how I would learn quick!

Anyway, on that day I went for my speech therapy, like every week, we worked on the volume of my voice and thoses 'S' and last week it was my last lesson with Dyan and the hard work with Dyan has improved too.

I'm starting to get better with my 'S' which I have practise alot by reading books with dyan and making sure I say the 's' without missing it out and I only tend to miss the 'S' out a bit and I can do them if I remenber them. So, no more speech therapy lesson for now. I will be back sometimes with her next year on one of my implant review.

so, that's it for me now. I better start making tracks to uni now. anyway look out for the 6 month video that we've been editing which I will be posting up sometimes this month once we've finished it (that's a promise)

take care for now!

k x

Playing football with you C.I

Playing football with my cochlear implant wouldn't be a good idea for me as there to much contact along with another player and of course your implant would be flying everywhere or the ball would be hitting your implant side. I bet that would hurt if it did!


so, since I don't wear the implant on my match days. I do tend to wear them in training ONLY, well, it was the first time I actually wore it the other day!

In training we don't have to much contact while playing. It just footworks and fitness training. It was good to wear it in training as I can hear my team mates 'shouting' but dont have a clue where it's coming from untill I look up before I pass to them but least I can hear them :-D I even heard my coach blow his whistle. It was loud as he was just standing right behind me.


Before I started to wear the implant during football training I decided to buy some thin head band that I could wear that would stop the implant falling to the ground as I do have a slight problem with my implant falling off because I have small ears, and guess what the head band worked well for me. It didn't it come off at all. Here a picture of me with the headband - you could see that I placed the headband on top of the the wire that connect to the processor to the coil

The thin headband would be a good idea to wear in any sports. You can get these band from a shop called 'claires' or ebay (here the links)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ADIDAS-HAIR-BAND-SPORT-HEADBANDS-RARE-AUTHENTIC-NEW_W0QQitemZ350101291955QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350101291955&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 (You can buy them in different colours)


:-) I actually enjoyed hearing my team mates and it was something I never been able to do before.


Anyway, that's it for me now. I better get my things ready for uni tomorrow morning. check out for the next post which will be about the 6 months mapping which I have this thursday. I certainly can't wait to see my result :-D