On vacatin this week. Spending a few days in Moclips, Wa. Small town along the Washington coast. Will post some pics when I figure it out:)
Billy
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Mocips, Wa.
On vacatin this week. Spending a few days in Moclips, Wa. Small town along the Washington coast. Will post some pics when I figure it out:)
Billy
Friday, June 29, 2007
Hearing Test w/CI
I had my first hearing test with my CI at my one month mapping.
I scored a 90% on hint sentences (example: "The orange is sweet") , 66% on words, and 81% on phonemes (sounds).
So, at one month she said I did really good.
Considering I was at 24% with my one good ear, and with hearing aids, yes I did good :)
I scored a 90% on hint sentences (example: "The orange is sweet") , 66% on words, and 81% on phonemes (sounds).
So, at one month she said I did really good.
Considering I was at 24% with my one good ear, and with hearing aids, yes I did good :)
Sunday, June 24, 2007
One Month Mapping
Hello Jerry!
My one month checkup is coming up on Tuesday, hard to believe it's only been a month. For some reason it feels longer. I guess I've gotten accustomed to my new ear and it feels like we've been together longer :)
As far as change, it seems to be a little slower. The sound quality has gotten better, just a little of the Mickey Mouse sound is left, I still hear it on the radio and some of the music I play. Last week I went to my Nephews high school graduation and for the first time in who knows when, I could understand speech from a speaker on a microphone:) Understood a lot! But,,,I also went to my son's 8th grade graduation and understood very little, my son's was held in a gym compared to my Nephews which was held in a huge stadium like building, I'm thinking maybe better equipment or that the gym was more echo like.
The tinnitus that I was talking about in my last post is gone, haven't had that sound for over a week now, keeping my fingers crossed.
Talking at home has become easy, very good at understanding my wife and older son, my little guy is a litter harder at times, I guess it's because he has a higher pitched voice.
So that is about it as far as news, sometimes I feel to busy to take notice of all the new sounds that I hear. Sometimes I don't think I hear that much, but when I really listen and take time out to listen, I'm amazed at what I hear now, just hearing the wind and the leaves in the trees is incredible. The rain on the leaves, talking on the phone, someone mumbling something as they walk off, I me going, "I heard that" :)
Anyway, I hope you all had a good weekend, school is finally out here, time to plan the camping trips and all the other activity stuff.
Take care,
Billy
PS---I think Yana get's turned on this week! Wish her luck!
My one month checkup is coming up on Tuesday, hard to believe it's only been a month. For some reason it feels longer. I guess I've gotten accustomed to my new ear and it feels like we've been together longer :)
As far as change, it seems to be a little slower. The sound quality has gotten better, just a little of the Mickey Mouse sound is left, I still hear it on the radio and some of the music I play. Last week I went to my Nephews high school graduation and for the first time in who knows when, I could understand speech from a speaker on a microphone:) Understood a lot! But,,,I also went to my son's 8th grade graduation and understood very little, my son's was held in a gym compared to my Nephews which was held in a huge stadium like building, I'm thinking maybe better equipment or that the gym was more echo like.
The tinnitus that I was talking about in my last post is gone, haven't had that sound for over a week now, keeping my fingers crossed.
Talking at home has become easy, very good at understanding my wife and older son, my little guy is a litter harder at times, I guess it's because he has a higher pitched voice.
So that is about it as far as news, sometimes I feel to busy to take notice of all the new sounds that I hear. Sometimes I don't think I hear that much, but when I really listen and take time out to listen, I'm amazed at what I hear now, just hearing the wind and the leaves in the trees is incredible. The rain on the leaves, talking on the phone, someone mumbling something as they walk off, I me going, "I heard that" :)
Anyway, I hope you all had a good weekend, school is finally out here, time to plan the camping trips and all the other activity stuff.
Take care,
Billy
PS---I think Yana get's turned on this week! Wish her luck!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Tinnitus anyone?
Hey All,
Went for my one week mapping on Thursday, added a new program channel and some volume changes on the other ones, a few different settings here and there. Nothing much different.
One thing of change for me has been a huge amount of tinnitus. It started about four days ago, in the middle of the day, a loud sound started in my head, like a fish tank motor running, that best describes it for me, or a plane in the sky, humming from the engine sound, from what I remember as far as sound similar to this one. The sound also starts off low and gets louder, lasts for about and hour, then goes away. Anyway, I thought something was wrong with my processor, but when I took it off, I could still here the sound, then I thought something was wrong inside my head. I emailed the hospital and they said it's probably tinnitus. It made my own voice very loud to myself and all the other voices loud, too loud. Made it harder for me to understand things, made things sound muffled. I get them everyday, 3-4 times. Very annoying! They said it might last for months, but should go away. Has anyone had this? Just wondering, and how long.
But everything else is about the same, going good. Been talking on the phone more and more, not understanding everything, but lot's :)
That's about it for now.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend, rainy here in Seattle.
Take care,
Billy
Went for my one week mapping on Thursday, added a new program channel and some volume changes on the other ones, a few different settings here and there. Nothing much different.
One thing of change for me has been a huge amount of tinnitus. It started about four days ago, in the middle of the day, a loud sound started in my head, like a fish tank motor running, that best describes it for me, or a plane in the sky, humming from the engine sound, from what I remember as far as sound similar to this one. The sound also starts off low and gets louder, lasts for about and hour, then goes away. Anyway, I thought something was wrong with my processor, but when I took it off, I could still here the sound, then I thought something was wrong inside my head. I emailed the hospital and they said it's probably tinnitus. It made my own voice very loud to myself and all the other voices loud, too loud. Made it harder for me to understand things, made things sound muffled. I get them everyday, 3-4 times. Very annoying! They said it might last for months, but should go away. Has anyone had this? Just wondering, and how long.
But everything else is about the same, going good. Been talking on the phone more and more, not understanding everything, but lot's :)
That's about it for now.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend, rainy here in Seattle.
Take care,
Billy
Monday, June 4, 2007
Here's What's New
Helllllllooooooo!
Well, it's almost a week now, not much has changed as far as the Mickey Mouse sounds in all the voices. I met a man at the hospital that has had the implant for about a month and he said his mouse voices almost all went away after 2-3 weeks. Even if they didn't, it's still better then what I heard before, zip.....
Today I talked to my Mother- in-law on the phone, understood very much, was able to carry a conversation, we talked about 5min. Can't describe how I felt after that, but in total shock would sum it up, shocked that I could actually understand on the phone. I talked to my wife in the morning for a minuet or so, and understood some of the things she was saying, that was on my cell phone. When I talked to my Mother- in-law, that was on the home phone, understood better on that. I think the reason was the home phone is a little louder and bigger, fits around my speakers better. Talked to my son yesterday and understood a bit of that too. It is one of my practice exercises that I have to do this week, talking on the phone, in a short amount of time. All I can say is, it's been a miracle as far as the phone. If I had to pick one thing that I missed the most, due to my hearing, it would be losing the phone. I have lost contact with many friends and some family members by not being able to us the phone. It's been many years since I last used the phone, and actually heard and understood someone. But I am taking baby steps with it. Can't get over excited:)
Today was also my first day back at work, I deal with many people at work, and today was the easiest day I have had in years. Lot's of work and practice remains in this area, but it went very well. At work there are many background noises which make it difficult to understand, but I did good.
Last night we had rain, first time since I have been turned on. I was able to hear the rain on the leaves, and the wind blowing. A little muffled, but I heard it anyway. I sat out on my chair and just listened. I find myself doing that a lot, just sitting or standing somewhere and listening to what I can hear. Sometimes I feel like a kid with a new toy :)
I have also be practicing with the CD player and playing music, very hard to understand the words. My Audio told my to go to lyrics.com and print out the songs words, which I have done, and read the words while listening to the song. I have done that and it seems like the words come out a little more clear and I can follow the song quite well.
I'm hearing things everyday, new and old, but by no means is my hearing cured, it will never be the same, but this is not bad. Even though many things don't sound right, or simple things that get in the way like the wind, I find myself happy again, (hard to drive with the window open and listen to the music) lol.
I do a lot better in quiet conditions and I probably always will. But, this has been worth it already, and it's less then a week.
I could go on and on, but that's about it for now.
Thanks for all the nice comments.
I'm always here checking my blog and yours :)
Take care everyone,
Billy
Well, it's almost a week now, not much has changed as far as the Mickey Mouse sounds in all the voices. I met a man at the hospital that has had the implant for about a month and he said his mouse voices almost all went away after 2-3 weeks. Even if they didn't, it's still better then what I heard before, zip.....
Today I talked to my Mother- in-law on the phone, understood very much, was able to carry a conversation, we talked about 5min. Can't describe how I felt after that, but in total shock would sum it up, shocked that I could actually understand on the phone. I talked to my wife in the morning for a minuet or so, and understood some of the things she was saying, that was on my cell phone. When I talked to my Mother- in-law, that was on the home phone, understood better on that. I think the reason was the home phone is a little louder and bigger, fits around my speakers better. Talked to my son yesterday and understood a bit of that too. It is one of my practice exercises that I have to do this week, talking on the phone, in a short amount of time. All I can say is, it's been a miracle as far as the phone. If I had to pick one thing that I missed the most, due to my hearing, it would be losing the phone. I have lost contact with many friends and some family members by not being able to us the phone. It's been many years since I last used the phone, and actually heard and understood someone. But I am taking baby steps with it. Can't get over excited:)
Today was also my first day back at work, I deal with many people at work, and today was the easiest day I have had in years. Lot's of work and practice remains in this area, but it went very well. At work there are many background noises which make it difficult to understand, but I did good.
Last night we had rain, first time since I have been turned on. I was able to hear the rain on the leaves, and the wind blowing. A little muffled, but I heard it anyway. I sat out on my chair and just listened. I find myself doing that a lot, just sitting or standing somewhere and listening to what I can hear. Sometimes I feel like a kid with a new toy :)
I have also be practicing with the CD player and playing music, very hard to understand the words. My Audio told my to go to lyrics.com and print out the songs words, which I have done, and read the words while listening to the song. I have done that and it seems like the words come out a little more clear and I can follow the song quite well.
I'm hearing things everyday, new and old, but by no means is my hearing cured, it will never be the same, but this is not bad. Even though many things don't sound right, or simple things that get in the way like the wind, I find myself happy again, (hard to drive with the window open and listen to the music) lol.
I do a lot better in quiet conditions and I probably always will. But, this has been worth it already, and it's less then a week.
I could go on and on, but that's about it for now.
Thanks for all the nice comments.
I'm always here checking my blog and yours :)
Take care everyone,
Billy
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Is that a lawnmower?? I'm ON!
Hi All,
Sorry I didn't post last night, it was a long tiring day. Both my kids had baseball games in the evening. By the time we got home, settled down and finish up everything, all I wanted to do was lay on the couch and watch a little TV.
So, here goes:
Had a 1:30pm appointment at UW and after running some test and listening for beeps and sounds (kinda like a hearing test) to see if all my electrodes are running and working, and they were, I was turned on. Turn on time was about 2:45pm.
The first thing I heard was my Audiologist, (I think she is a Audiologist, or I should say, mapping girl:)) Anyway, I could understand her very well, caught most of what she said. The only thing odd, which a lot of people have said, the voices sound robotic, and everyone sounds the same. Robotic meaning, like Mickey Mouse, or someone just inhaling helium and then talking. That is still going on now and probably for some time. But I am understanding! They gave me a little hearing test as far as understanding words, I would look at a group of words, four of them, all sounding similar, my Audio would say one, with her mouth covered and me looking down and I would have to repeat the word she said or the word I think she said, and also some sentences tests. I scored 25 out of 35. Said I was doing very well. YESSSSSSSSSSS!
After all that, they did a few settings and volume controls, showed me how everything works and so on. Then off I went into the hearing, or I should say, noisy world :)
I heard many things, but it is hard to make out what it is. At the office I heard the computer running, the pen clicking in and out, my hand running across the table softly. Many more things, but think about that, my hand running softly on the table and I could hear that, totally awesome.
I have many sounds going on, some seem in the way of hearing others. It is sometimes like a little chaos going on inside my head, but I just keep reminding myself, it's only day one, and it's the long run that will be different. A few sounds that I found funny. Running water and a motorcycle engine sound like popcorn popping in the microwave :) Heard a bird chirping outside, thought it was a crow, my wife said no just a regular bird, he kind of sounded like a duck:) , but I heard him! Heard the lawn mower guys today, not just outside my window, but a distance away, that also has a popping sound, even as I type the sound is popping. Remember, all this is with just my Cochlear, not wearing my hearing aid anymore, which is what did get me by, if that did anything as far as understanding things. So it is pretty amazing. One more thing that I found truly incredible. I have not understood anything on the radio as far as commercial talk, sometimes I even thought there was a song going on, but my son would say, "it's not a song, it's a commercial", feeling stupid I would go oh.....:) But yesterday on the way to baseball, I put the radio on and listened to a song, sound pretty good, but could not make out the words yet, but a commercial came on, and I knew it right away that it was a commercial, just sounds different, someone was talking. The amazing part was, I understood him or her, not sure :) saying "tomorrow from five to seven", I sat there and smiled after hearing that.
Today at 1:00pm I go for my second mapping, adjust a few things. I had to write down what I heard and recognised and describe the sound or anything unusual. Right now someone is outside with the weed whacker as I call it :)
Anyway, thanks so much for caring and waiting to hear from me, it is really great that you guys care so much. Your are all becoming my second family, and we are all really like family in a way.
Well, that's how I feel anyway:)
I will let you know how it goes
Talk (type) to you soon.
Billy
Sorry I didn't post last night, it was a long tiring day. Both my kids had baseball games in the evening. By the time we got home, settled down and finish up everything, all I wanted to do was lay on the couch and watch a little TV.
So, here goes:
Had a 1:30pm appointment at UW and after running some test and listening for beeps and sounds (kinda like a hearing test) to see if all my electrodes are running and working, and they were, I was turned on. Turn on time was about 2:45pm.
The first thing I heard was my Audiologist, (I think she is a Audiologist, or I should say, mapping girl:)) Anyway, I could understand her very well, caught most of what she said. The only thing odd, which a lot of people have said, the voices sound robotic, and everyone sounds the same. Robotic meaning, like Mickey Mouse, or someone just inhaling helium and then talking. That is still going on now and probably for some time. But I am understanding! They gave me a little hearing test as far as understanding words, I would look at a group of words, four of them, all sounding similar, my Audio would say one, with her mouth covered and me looking down and I would have to repeat the word she said or the word I think she said, and also some sentences tests. I scored 25 out of 35. Said I was doing very well. YESSSSSSSSSSS!
After all that, they did a few settings and volume controls, showed me how everything works and so on. Then off I went into the hearing, or I should say, noisy world :)
I heard many things, but it is hard to make out what it is. At the office I heard the computer running, the pen clicking in and out, my hand running across the table softly. Many more things, but think about that, my hand running softly on the table and I could hear that, totally awesome.
I have many sounds going on, some seem in the way of hearing others. It is sometimes like a little chaos going on inside my head, but I just keep reminding myself, it's only day one, and it's the long run that will be different. A few sounds that I found funny. Running water and a motorcycle engine sound like popcorn popping in the microwave :) Heard a bird chirping outside, thought it was a crow, my wife said no just a regular bird, he kind of sounded like a duck:) , but I heard him! Heard the lawn mower guys today, not just outside my window, but a distance away, that also has a popping sound, even as I type the sound is popping. Remember, all this is with just my Cochlear, not wearing my hearing aid anymore, which is what did get me by, if that did anything as far as understanding things. So it is pretty amazing. One more thing that I found truly incredible. I have not understood anything on the radio as far as commercial talk, sometimes I even thought there was a song going on, but my son would say, "it's not a song, it's a commercial", feeling stupid I would go oh.....:) But yesterday on the way to baseball, I put the radio on and listened to a song, sound pretty good, but could not make out the words yet, but a commercial came on, and I knew it right away that it was a commercial, just sounds different, someone was talking. The amazing part was, I understood him or her, not sure :) saying "tomorrow from five to seven", I sat there and smiled after hearing that.
Today at 1:00pm I go for my second mapping, adjust a few things. I had to write down what I heard and recognised and describe the sound or anything unusual. Right now someone is outside with the weed whacker as I call it :)
Anyway, thanks so much for caring and waiting to hear from me, it is really great that you guys care so much. Your are all becoming my second family, and we are all really like family in a way.
Well, that's how I feel anyway:)
I will let you know how it goes
Talk (type) to you soon.
Billy
Thursday, May 24, 2007
In a week!
Well it's less then a week before they turn me on. Love that saying!
For three weeks after the surgery I didn't feel great, not bad, but not great. On and off ear aches, and some head aches. When I did overdo it, like walking to much:), or playing some sport, afterwards I became, light headed, nauseous, and tired, w/ pain around my ear area. Most of those symptoms have now gone, just some light ear aches. Can do pretty much what I want now, but I try not to lift heavy or do a lot of bending over. I guess I was one of the slower healing cases:) But everything is cool, less then a month after having a hole drilled in my head I'm feeling ok, I guess I can't complain :)
I posted a picture of my family and I, dog too. It was a self portrait of us down on the Washington coast, Moclips, Wa. to be exact (last year) kids are bigger now. We love to go down there, not too many tourist:)
We also love the Oregon Coast, I highly recommend Cannon beach in Oregon if your ever looking to get away to a beautiful place. Haystack Rock, awesome!
Anyway, hope you are all having a great week, and ready to have a awesome Memorial Day weekend, anybody camping?
Enjoy,
Billy
For three weeks after the surgery I didn't feel great, not bad, but not great. On and off ear aches, and some head aches. When I did overdo it, like walking to much:), or playing some sport, afterwards I became, light headed, nauseous, and tired, w/ pain around my ear area. Most of those symptoms have now gone, just some light ear aches. Can do pretty much what I want now, but I try not to lift heavy or do a lot of bending over. I guess I was one of the slower healing cases:) But everything is cool, less then a month after having a hole drilled in my head I'm feeling ok, I guess I can't complain :)
I posted a picture of my family and I, dog too. It was a self portrait of us down on the Washington coast, Moclips, Wa. to be exact (last year) kids are bigger now. We love to go down there, not too many tourist:)
We also love the Oregon Coast, I highly recommend Cannon beach in Oregon if your ever looking to get away to a beautiful place. Haystack Rock, awesome!
Anyway, hope you are all having a great week, and ready to have a awesome Memorial Day weekend, anybody camping?
Enjoy,
Billy
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