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
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
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!
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
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
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
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, y
ou 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.
ou 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
Monday, 2 February 2009
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 enoug
h 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:
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