Wednesday 25 March 2009

2nd implant?

10 months and I am doing so well, I still can't get over of what I have learnt over the past 10 months -Everyday there always a new sound and always more to look forward to

There is only one thing now I really would like , which I have been thinking about in the last few weeks, now that I have done so well listening through one implant, will I do the same if I had a second implant?

A second implant would be nice. I mean, I hear so well in my left but the only thing is I can only hear most of the things on the left and my right side just feels SO deaf and doesn't hear anything, it feels so blank; I don't see the point in wearing a hearing aid I know a 2nd implant won't make you hear any better, but it be nice to hear from both direction and maybe it give me a better sense of where sounds comin from.

So, now I am hoping to have a 2nd implant to become 'Bilateral' becuase of the N.I.C.E guidance, I think here in the UK, it would be hard for us to fight for the second one. So, right now I am unsure which direction I should take, wheather I should wait a while untill the N.I.C.E has changed gardians or should I appeal for the funding right now?

I thought, If I was to have a 2nd implant while I am still at early stages, I think it might be better as my brains will continue to learn , I am not saying it will stop (I hope not) but getting another implant at this stage might be easier for me and gives me time to learn before I finish university and go out in the real world and teach.

thats it for me, fingers cross, I get the 2nd one some day!

x

Music - Sounds Inspiring

Yesterday I had an interesting evening. I went to the sound inspiring event which was organised by Ear Foundation and Advanced Bionic. (the implant brand I have)



The event went so well, and it was concert by musicians who have sensory and it inspired me so much. I have never seen a deaf blind man who is able to play his piano and guitar and also group of deaf teenager having there own band called the Deafness. which totally amazed me, it really does show a good example to others the deaf people can do anything except hear like hearing people do.

I have learnt so much while I were watching the panio, flute, drums guitar and xlepone. It was all new to me. I never to identify instrument and the different in them. . After tonight. I have able to indentify the low and high pitch and also to tell which instrument was playing.

I did find some hard to listen to and when they were all playing at the same time. when the flute were playing I was unable to hear the piano untill the flute has paused.

I weren't too keen on the flute. I mean, the flute was played at a high pitch and each note gets higher and higer which felt like my implant is about to blew off.

It was nice to take part when we all got these free Advanced Bionic drumsticks. That taught us to listen and to try and follow the patten

Not only there were music, there were dancers aswell, one of the dancers had a good sense of humour while dancing which made us laughed

So, now I decided I do want to take some keyboard lesson - I won't be as good as the people I have seen, but it be nice to be able to play a song - maybe get to learn how to play Gareth Gates, :-)

so, what an evening, hopefully there will be some more like that!

Thursday 5 March 2009

Hearing from Distance!

March already? Its nowbeen nearly 10 months since I have been implanted. I can't believe how quick the year has gone; I guess life would be alot faster if your enjoying the new hearing journey.

In may will be my one year anniversary. So, I am looking forward to celebrate my one year journey by posting up a new video on this blog <- so watch this space.

Anyway. I have noticed that I have been hearing alot of things that is quite a distance away.

Yesterday, In university I was in class and my classroom was right on the very top floor (11th floor) I were sitting right near the window because sometimes I like to see the outside when I'm thinking or when I want to be nosey ;-) while my lecture were talking about 'Shakespear' I heard a beeping sound that was very quiet and it was repeating for some time. The sound distracted me from listening and I ended up looking around to see what it was and still couldn't figure out where it was coming from. So, I asked my mate whats that beeping sound. She said it was a truck that was reversing outside as there were some building work going off outside the University. I was amazed on how I could hear that.

Also, now I am an aunty, I have been babysitting my little nephew who is now 6 weeks old (he growing quick) anyway, while babysitting. I asked Richard to keep an eye on him while I'll go a make a bottle and I then quickly go upstairs to fetch his bibs etc. I could hear him crying from a good distance away. Babies are loud when they cry. Sometimes it is nice to switch your implant off when you don't want to hear him.

I remenber 3 month post activation, I was able to turn round if someone calls my name out only if they were close but now I can do it while they are in another room. I do sometimes get confused at home when my mum shouts "lady" my dog which made me think my mum is shouting "katie"

Thats it for me typing away now. I better shoot off to my 2nd lecture.

xx