Tuesday 17 February 2009

RAM FM! (radio) new CI moment!

Hey,

I'm still around, and yes, I haven't posted for a short while; doesn't mean I've forgotten about my blogs.

I've been soo busy helping my sister with her little son, dylan (hes growing quick) and of course studying at uni <- these assignments from university really do take up all your free time. Anyway, recently I have been travelling to a few places with family and friends - while traveling, someone in the car always shouts "put the radio on" so, while driving I decided to put the radio on. I don't normally listen to the radio and not to bothered with it. Well, for some reason, I decided to give myself some listening practise rather than ignoring it. becuase my hometown football team were playing, my brother and dad want to listen to it to see how well they are getting on. I know all the Derby players names and decided to see if I could pick out any of there names that been called out. I did great and manage to pick out a few names which put a smile on my face, not only that I heard the man on the radio saying "102.8 Ram FM" <>

so, thats something new and hopefully, i'll continue with the practise and see what esle can I hear!

thats it for me now, i better shoot off and get some training done, what this space for more updates!



take care x

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Adult CI Users Day - Telephones

Last Saturday, I went to a workshop at the Ear Foundation! Like before, we had 30 minutes of any choices of session we chosen. I went to:
Richard - Talk more about Advanced Bionic Cochlear Implant.

This session was very interested. We talked about the futures techonologys and also ask any questions about the AB processors. It good to hear that they looking at future processors that have smaller batteries and also more choices of colours (i'm excited, and want them). They are now looking at making a pink processor! Wow, it be good.

Andrew - Talk about equipments they you could try when using the phone/mobile
I liked this session, I tried out this bluetooth device which I tried out for the first time. The blue device called 'Geemarc CL Bluehook ' which you can buy from 'Connevans' As I tried it, you didn't need to change hooks or anything, you only had to turn you setting to a loops channel and place the hook over your ears. While I tried it, Andrew tried phoning me and I only had to press answer on the phone and then just listen through the blue tooth device. It sounded quite good because I were in the same room he sounds robotic and because I were lip-reading him while he were talking there were a bit of a delay on the voice I hear. So, I decided to go out the room and see if I could hear him then. Sue were out of the room with me and andrew were in the other and decided to ask me a question to see if I could get what he said. He asked me " how long it took you to get to the Ear Foundation" I heard what he said and ask sue and she nodded yes, and I answer back. It was great to hear out of that and now I am thinking of buying one once I have more practise with talking to other people on the phone.
Maria - Telephone Commuication tips

This session was all about how to communicate better on the phone and how to make the better of it. It was good practise by using these useful role play scripts. I tried out talking on the phone to Maria while she was out in another room and had to listen out what she said and talk to her back. I managed to do it and while following the scripts, I manage to pick out some of the words in the sentences. It a good way of learning.

Here one script and give it go!

Sam; Hello?
John: Hi! Its John. Can I speak to Sam please?
Sam: Hi John! It's me! How are you?
John: Fine thanks. Are you coming over on Thursday?
Sam: Yes. What time do you want me?
John: How about 8pm.
Sam: That;s Great. I'll bring a bottle of wine.
John: Sounds better by the minute.
Sam: See you Thursday then. Bye
John: Bye.
Using this Scripted conversation really does help and the more practise you do the better you'll get. I am now practicing more and hopefully i'll get better at it.
Anyway after a successful day at the Ear Foundation, some of us decided to go out for a Chinese meal to help celebrate Abi's birthday. We all had a great evening and are now looking forward to the next upcoming Ear Foundation dates!
Me and Debs who also has an AB processor

Sunday 1 February 2009

CI Fashion

As most of you know, I am a huge fan of fashionable clothes and that I like to make sure everything matches and look right.

I also like to make sure I match my CI colours to my clothes too. I know, I'm crazy but I love it.

Advanced Bionic do quite a lot of colours, but there are some colours they don't do like, Pink, Red, Yellow etc

So, after my favourite colour case broke 'purple' I had other colours but it wasn't enough to match and I had these plain colours which I haven't yet used because they were boring to me.

Somehow after telling dad that I wish AB would do more colours, dad came up with an Idea and said I know just what might help you. Dad suggested us to go an Art & Craft shop and buy some plastic sprays of the colours I wanted and he said they he will spray it and see what the results would be. I thought It was a good idea and had to ask my mate manda if she know where the shop is.

After visiting the shop, I brought Pink, Red, Gold, Yellow, While, Bright Green, Light Purple spray which coz about £2 each per a can and decided to spray the boring plain colours I had and what I have not yet used and guess what? It worked! Dad sprayed a nice pink colour on one of my CI covers and It looks just how they make it. The pink matches the top Im wearing and now I finally have a pink, red, gold, yellow, bright green, light purple covers alone with all the other colours I have. You see below on other pictures that I like to match my CI colours to what I am wearing: