Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Update

Hey Everyone,
Time for a little update on the ear and me:) Sorry it's been a while.
Today I had my 3 month mapping, the last one I had was about two months ago, so it's been a few. I was down to one program out of the four that I had. Program 2 was the only one that had the volume level that I liked, the others were just to low. So, program 2 moved to 4 and I was given a new program called Whisper, I think a few of you guys have this, as I did real it on a few blogs. Should help me a little when talking to someone on the golf course:).
Everything as far as hearing has been going great. I use the phone a lot now, talked to my best friend from NY a few weeks ago for about an hour. Talk to the wife and my Mom with ease. Still haven't done anything on the phone like making a doctor app. or calling in a pizza order:), but I will soon. At work things have changed a ton, no more "just not getting it", and not to long ago my brother and his family from CT came out and they said I hear a lot better. Also many people at work have said that too. So I guess my hearing has been noticeably better, and yes, I would say it has:)
My audiologist said I am doing extremely well, one of the best she has ever had, she went on to tell me that at 3 months I'm ahead of most of her patients that are at 6-9 months. After hearing all that, I'm not sure what to say, I was more like, WOW, and thanks:) Hearing that made me feel so lucky and I figure I shouldn't complain about the little things in life that annoy me, or at least not as much:), and that I'm just really lucky. Not long ago, I started to prepare myself for being deaf at a later age, at whatever age my hearing would completely go, without being able to lip read or sign, and man, I was thinking, I'm up shits creek when that happens:) So yeah, I'm really lucky and thankful. OK, enough rambling!
Anyway, I took a hearing test, sentences, words, and some beeps:)
My results with CI are:
Beeps and sounds: 25 decibels range, which puts me in the speech banana, and is considered around normal hearing :)
Sentences: 100%, two months ago 90%
Words: 82%, two months ago 66%
So yeah, I'm feeling good today
It's been a really tough month, my Dad passed away on Aug 6th and it's the hardest and most painful thing I have ever gone through, so this is good, and I know he is watching and happy happy for me, if anyone in the world was cheering for me, it was my Dad, my #1 fan. Well I have more, but this one will be so missed:(
Well, that's about it for now, I still read all your blogs, just to darn lazy to write, but I will again.
Take care,
Your friend Billy

7 comments:

Jennifer said...

Billy, I just LOVE reading updates like this one!! It sounds like you're doing INCREDIBLY well!!! I can't believe you scored 100% on your speech comprehension at 3 months...I'm nowhere near that at a year...that's awesome!
You know I still think about you and your family since your dad's death...I'm sure things are still hard, but hope they're at least a little easier now (((HUGS)))
Good to see you here again! Keep those updates coming! :)

Laurie said...

Billy,

Your scores are wonderful after 3 months! I don't think I did that well. But everyone progresses differently.

I find it easier to make doctor and hair appointments than to have a long conversation on the phone. I just do the "bare minimum" and get off the phone as quickly as I can.

My condolences to you and your family on your Dad's passing. Jennifer told me about it and I understood. You see, my mom and biggest cheerleader died 15 years ago. . .how she would have loved to follow this CI journey of mine. She would have loved the Internet, too.

Blessings, Laurie

Yana said...

I am sorry to hear about your dad. My condolences.

Your results are excellent, I am just so happy for you! :) Let me know how you like Whisper. I didn't like it, now ADRO is my favorite program.

Abbie said...

Billy my new yankee buddy :) We got a couple more games to catch up to the Bosucks and then we got it for the playoffs. :)

Thank you for dropping by and giving me a warm hearty welcome to the wonderful land of munchkins. Right now, I hate the sound of paper. It is so high pitched :)

I also want to express my sincerest condolences to you and your family. I have been there and it is tough time, but time heals all wounds. I've added you to my google reader so I will know whenever you update. I can't wait to hear your progress!!

Bionic Yankee Gal,
Abbie

Karen Putz said...

My condolences on losing your Dad. :(

IvanC said...

Great stuff! Well done.. I know what you mean about calls.. the funny thing I use the phone for business wihtout a second thought but I shy away from using it for personal reasons. I guess habits die hard...

Sam said...

Sorry for being late but my condolences on the passing of your dad. May he rest in peace!