Debs' Hearing Journey

Telephone

2011-10-06T15:19:00.000+01:00

I have a new telephone! exciting like christmas!

Its a screenphone. It is very similar to a minicom, but no keyboard.

The ScreenPhone is ideal for people who want to voice their call but can no longer hear the response.

The idea behind the ScreenPhone is simple - you can speak your part of the call as usual but at the press of a button you can receive your caller's conversation back in words on a screen (using Text Relay operator*).
Text Relay (formerly known as Typetalk) is the phone relay service run by BT where an operator listens to the person talking to you and types words that appears on your phone's screen.
One of the nice things about using the ScreenPhone is that it allows friends and family to hear the deaf person's voice, making calls more personal than using a conventional textphone.
The appearance and functions of the ScreenPhone are similar to a standard amplified phone but with the addition of a large screen. The size of the font can be increased to make it easy to read and answer phone messages can be replayed on the display in text. This large display is good and the controls are easy to use. The ringer is very loud with a good bright strobe.

There always and will be... lack of knowledge and understanding from people who dont know what is Text Relay/Typetalk. I dont use it myself because I always get hung up by people who dont know how to use it.

This is a link to another deaf lady who have explained the problem with communication via minicom and typetalk. Suzy's blog

no posts?

2011-09-15T15:10:00.000+01:00

Goodess I havent post anything for sometime...

I have been busy, with my new job at school.
I have also been busy slowly build my business, a new freelance job for myself so I can teach sign language and deaf awareness all over Derbyshire.
I started up sign language class for children because of the demand that there were from the families, complaining there is no where for children to go and learn BSL.

I have new website for this... www.deafissue.co.uk

24 months programming!

2010-10-20T19:44:00.001+01:00

Went back Ropewalk Clinic today for annual visit.

Not much change in my programming. Only fine tuning because I complained that when turn up the volume, my left eye twitch!

I decide to have Clear Voice removed because it was not doing any good for me. it only turn everything down, not just background noise, it included voice. I could not hear, I had to turn the volume up.

I not back for another year!

Am I a thicko or what??

2010-10-19T21:07:00.000+01:00

Really annoying me when people set this rules..

Deaf people who use BSL no matter how deaf they are.. no matter hearing aid or CI..

CANNOT lipread at all..
CANNOT hear at all.. They must be complete deaf
CANNOT speak at all..

Deaf people who dont use BSL.. no matter how deaf they are.. no matter hearing aid or CI..

CAN lipread
CAN hear something
CAN speak something

This really annoying me...

They get shock and jump off their seat when they ask me if I sign at home with my family. I said only a little, I talk all the time.
They get shock and jump off their seat when I response to their questions when I am not looking at them.
They PANIC when I dont bring my interpreter for one to one or even two to one meetings.
They get shock and jump off their seat when I stop signing too much and start use my speech more. (Especially when I not at work)

They need to learn that EVERY deaf people.. no matter how deaf they are.. no matter if wear hearing aids or CI or none at all.. ARE different.
Not one deaf person are the same.

Where has the summer gone??

2010-10-18T22:35:00.000+01:00

Amazing the summer has flew fast.. it was not much of the sunshine weather.April/May were the hottest compare to July/August/Sept.. dont you agree??

I had a very busy summer, in between with the family holiday for 1 and half week at beginning of August on the boat toward Newark.. and a lot of events with the Derby Branch of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

There were so much opportuinty in the summer for me to practise using my CI..

On the boat with the family, we could see how important wearing CI was..
I heard a lot of sounds.. motor was very noisy on the boat.. the birds making a lot of noises.. not very pleasant sounds they were, I cannot believe that most people really enjoying listen to the birds, It sound like war zone to me!
You will laugh, at the nearly end of the holiday, I spilt my coffee on my CI, it just went dead.. not working at all! James rang Ropewalk to see if we can get a replacement. They had to post it to my grandparents because we were on the canal, with nowhere for the postman to deliver the parcel, so I had to be without CI for FOUR whole days. Oh boy!! James was ever so frustrated, because he was so used to shout out my name and doing everything against the deaf awareness rules for example dont stand with light behind you, dont whisper and use clear speech. He had to 100% sign to me. When he want my attentions, he had to get Rosie to fetch me or waving his arms like mad. I thought it was so amusing to watch him to blow his head with frustration!

I understood a bit more when having conversation with strangers, I still have to lip read because it was so noisy at the events that i was doing for Hearing Dogs, but people understood me better because my speech has improve so much.

you see all the work I have done for the Hearing dogs over the summer, and look Rosie's Diary for more details about Derby Branch.

DragonFly.. my first attempt!

A monster face paint I did

Flower painting I did

Texting James

Tiger face painting I did

face painting area at Newark event Oct 2010

Glitter tattoo I did..

Glitter tattoo again I did..

Media shoot in April

2010-10-14T19:43:00.001+01:00

Remember back last April, we went to have our photographs taken for a student at Stoke on Trent University.

We just got the photographs back..
Lovely they are..

Rosie's Blog

2010-09-25T12:40:00.002+01:00

Rosie, my hearing dog have her own blog.

It tell you about what Rosie is up to, she had a busy lifestyle!

Rosie's Blog

hearing dogs

2010-07-07T13:38:00.000+01:00

why does people assume..
I must be totally deaf and cannot hear or lipread at all.. because I have Rosie, a hearing dog for the deaf!!

Rosie helps me to relax and not focus too hard on important sounds, allowing me to focus on work and lipreading.

In the office today, everyone were apologising to me because they didn't sign. I did not mind because I understood everything they were saying and they were talking loud in quiet room, and they were slow enough for me to understood. They seems to think I cannot hear at all or lipread because I teach sign language and have Rosie.
I didn't say anything today because I was a bit fed up of reminding them that they don't need sign to me all the time.

I am at the point now.. should I refuse the offer of having another hearing dog or says yes when Rosie got to retire? All because of the attitude everyone in Education have given to me..

hearing at school

2010-04-30T21:54:00.001+01:00

It was strange to hear some words clearly today.
This morning I was working in the nursery class at school.
Every morning they gather up all children and the teacher pick a child who behave really well or did something well that impress the teacher, to be special person of the day. Then the class sing a praise song to that child. "There is someone special standing up right now, there is someone special standing up right now, it is ...(child's name)... it is ...(child's name)... "
Today I heard "Zack" in the song I think it was Zack's special day today

Not only this, this afternoon I wad working in year 2 class with a deaf girl. It was one of the children's birthday today and we watching something off the Internet that got a short videoclip singing happy birthday, no subtitles, I recognised the words "Happy birthday" it was amused for me to hear these words!

Running again!!

2010-04-29T16:43:00.001+01:00

It has been 2 years since I ran!
I used to love run 5k and 10k for hearing dogs and cancer research. I loved it when I ran with my dog, Rosie.
I gave up because my balance was all over places, I could not see well when stand up. I was very disappointed about this for last 2 years.
I decide I did not need to see far to run properly and if Rosie was in front of me I would be fine. The most important was not to run on road which I normally do in the past.

I started get up early 6am 3 times this week to run to park and back again which was good because Rosie do need "walk" before work!

We now waiting for proper running harness for Rosie so that we don't use her collar as I was worried about choking her if she run fast than me Especially when she exciting or see the finish line!! We normally run faster when we can see the finish line.

Our first race is race for life on July 18th at Kedleston Hall. Here hoping I don't fall over!

Media Shoot day

2010-04-06T19:28:00.002+01:00

GeoTagged, [N52.97975, E1.25799]

I had interesting day, met 7 different hearing dogs today. We were having our photograph taken for Hearing Dogs at Staffordshire University.
A group of Uni students were doing a project of making a DVD advert of how hearing dogs change deaf person life and to raise awareness
A long day it was!

Spring!

2010-03-09T08:00:00.001Z

Spring is here I think!
Because the wood we go walking in the mornings before work at school is so noisy with all those birds! Urgh! Where the nice quiet wood have gone???

Snow! Snow!

2010-02-23T18:22:00.001Z

How much more can we take it? It has been snowing since Christmas!!

Could hear the crunchy of the snow as I walk along on the path. Strange noise it was, never heard it before! I tried tread careful but no different - it still make lots of noises.

Petrified sound!!

2010-01-28T22:18:00.005Z

Here I am, sitting in the living room..
Children in bed..
James out Asda, shopping..

Nice and quiet.. ahhh bless!! I catching up Facebook and emails.

Suddenly..

very loud noise.. what was that??
It sound like glass fall off the table..

Have we got burglar in the house??

I went to investigate..

UPSTAIRS.. stupid cat.... playing with marble!!!

That scared me to death!

Children's decisions

2010-01-04T21:59:00.003Z

I have seen two different families making very brave decision, that should make deaf community think twice now..
These two families allows their deaf children make the final decisions about second CI. I feel proud of them!
Here their story, I wont name them for their safety. the deaf boys are no older than 6yrs

1st family, the deaf boy decided he want to have 2nd implant because he wanted to have one, his mum made all the arrangement with no 2nd thoughts. Today was his "Switch on" It was a successful.
He told his mum, that all he can hear was "beep beep beep"
This made me think back to what Katie Bailey told me that what she heard on her "Switch on" day. It did almost put me off from having CI because I didn't want to hear nothing but "beep beep" for the rest of my life. Katie reassure me that it only lasted 1 week until her 2nd "tuning"
I didn't hear that sound on my "switch on" day, I think it was because I was very good hearing aid wearer and my brain already recognise the communication or whatever its called from hearing nerves. Katie and this young boy was not wearing hearing aid on that newly implanted for at least 2 years

2nd family, the deaf boy made the decision of not having 2nd implant. His family wanted him to have 2nd implant because they thought it would increase his quality of hearing. They did their research, reading leaflets and watching DVD, but they asked him at the end, he said no because he already got one!
Someone should reassure this family that having one or two implant does really make no different. They should be praise for allow their son to make the decision to refuse the choice.

I have one implant. I am happy to continue to have 1 implant. I am not desperate to have another one, I know I cannot have another one because I dont have cochlea to use on the right ear, but I am not complaining about it.
I would be scare to try for 2nd implant because what if it make everything too loud for me? one implant is loud enough for me! would I cope having double the effect?
I have to admit, I am curious, If I did have a cochlea or a miracle happen, I would agree to have 2nd implant.

This make me think about it, I have lived with one ear that work with hearing aid, and now change into CI, I can tell where the noise come from (directions) how? I learn to tell the different, by judge the loudess or the softness of the noises. If the noise sound soft, it must be from the right side, if it sound loud or sharp, it must be from the left.
I think with practise and experience, a person can learn to live with one CI and expereince exactly the same as a person with 2 CI.

I have tried bi-cros hearing aid when I worn hearing aid. I hate it! It only made everything sound louder, I could not tell that noises was coming from left or right, it all sound the exactly the same!
This is why I am not the right person to comment if two implants are better than one implant. I live with one working ear all my life.

Note: (CROS)/BiCROS hearing aids These are for people with hearing in one ear only. CROS hearing aids pick up the sound from the side with no hearing and feed it to the better ear. This ensures that you don't miss sounds on your deaf side. BiCROS aids amplify sound from both sides and feed it into the ear that has some hearing

BABIES!!!

2009-12-27T21:52:00.002Z

Urgh!
why did no body warn me??

Its not the cry the baby make...
Its the TOYS!!

Oh they so noisy!! my poor head! my poor left eye! (twitching all the time)

Elmo clapping hands says "ha ha ha ha" "dance with me"
That noisy rattle drum.. "click click click"
That musical walker "beep beep" "la la la" "brrr brrr"

Thank goodess that my children outgrown these noisy toys!!

If you think I outgrow my stay, just bring out these baby's toys... I will run a mile!!

Christmas with family

2009-12-27T19:30:00.001Z

I wonder how many deaf people really do enjoy their Christmas with their families? Apart from receiving presents.

It's this time of year again where I go visit my family at my Mum's house. I feel like I watching Television, with all members of my family in front, speaking in Mickey Mouse language! No subtitles, no sign language interpreter box! They complete forgot about me being there.

Oh boy! I got better things to do than sitting and watching them laugh over goddess know what. I am thinking about the cleaning job I have to do at home that had to put on hold for this gathering. My house is in tip because we had to move our fridge/freezer to another room was called pantry as where it was , was too cold and causing the fridge/freezer to stop working.

Yes some of my family can sign fluently but they could not be bother because I am the invisible person because of my deafness, this had been going on since as long I remember. My family always says my favourite word is "what?" because I always say it!! No wonder because I want to know what everyone are saying, not wanting to leave me out!
This year I got pretty fed up of saying "what" so I said nothing but sit back and watch them like television with them speaking in foregin language like Chinese

WhatsApp — Contact

2009-12-23T22:23:00.000Z

WhatsApp — Contact

Wow.. found this app for my Iphone.. was searching for software that will allow me communicate with others include Blackberry without using SMS because I only have 500 texts a months and I was worried that I might go over 500 texts a month!!

so far I have 2 contacts! I have been chatting with them and no problem, it very similar to text messages and I enjoy the conversation. Got to try it with Blackberry contact and see if its a success because I was a blackberry user and have use blackberry messanger all the time.

Happy Solistice!

2009-12-21T08:36:00.002Z

Ooh we going have a busy day!
My car going in for MOT - here hoping she pass.
Then we going for a swim - maybe outdoor pool, be nice with snow around the pool!
We having nice dinner with Yule cake, but after we decorate the house to make it Christmas

I have been hearing lot of Christmas carols and recognise alot of words. It was nice feeling to understand and follow alot of songs.

new forum!

2009-12-02T20:29:00.003Z

Here the new forum for cochlear Implant users...

Cochlear Implant UK

for all people who are involved with Cochlear implants please do join!!

November Adult's day 2009

2009-11-22T15:05:00.002Z

Very interesting day out I had.. and completely knackered at the end of the night!!!

I went to Ear Foundation as usual for the workshop. this time was very different.. 3 experts came to show us and help us experiment with equipments they have brought with them.

I tried again the bluetooth for mobile again.. but no joy because it did not work with my new iphone that I got last Wednesday.Urgghh!!

I complained to AB expert that I dont like radio aid or switch to "T" because I cannot hear my own voice. they informed me that I could have a programme that is 50/50 which means that I can have 50/ for T and /50 for normal (can hear my own voice)
They check my programme through the laptop, being careful not to touch the programmes that Ropewalk have set it. They notice I only got T switch programme and normal programme. so I have to ring Ropewalk to get 50/50 programme set up. Urggh another trip!!

I tried the new smartlink+ that Phonak expert brought along... Wow! sound "sharper" than my smartlink which is the older version! no crackling noises can be heard. I tried the one that AB expert got called "inspiro", I dislike it because could hear the crackling.

I had my session with Maria, a very good it was and I thought I did well with the listening skill. I recognised a lot more sentences without knowing what the topic was. I practise my speech too, it was much harder this time with vowel in. shame it was for half an hour. It would be good to have 1 hour, but I could not afford it!

After the workshop, we went 10 pins bowling (AB team won vs Freedom/me dels!!!) and pizza at Pizzahut next door.. and then to pub for a quick drink as it was rather late, and one of the adult fell asleep in the pub!

Exciting new phone!!!

2009-11-18T21:14:00.001Z

Finally!!!!
upgraded to brand new phone!
I hated my Blackberry because it keep frozen and crashed. so I decide to upgrade early and exchange for Iphone.
Iphone is supposed to be compatiable for AB cochlear implant becasue it accept direct connect lead which is attached to Cochlear implant.

I received today the new Iphone, not yet try calling a member of the family with the new phone because I need to sort out the volume! (Not worked out where it is!!) I busy uploading all the contacts from my googlemail so that I can text someone!

Now I be able to ask expert at Adult day on this saturday to show me how to use it with my cochlear implant.

1 year programming report

2009-10-14T12:52:00.002+01:00

I received in the post today the result of my 1 year assessment. (Its not even 1 year til November!! oh well!)

Aided Threshold Assessment:
250Hz 25dBHL
500Hz 25dBHL
1kHz <25dBHL
2kHz 30dBHL
3kHz 30dBHL
4kHz 30dBHL
6kHz 35dBHL

CUNY assessment (lipreading and listening)
condition: 60dB Presentation Level: 70dB 79% correct

BKB sentences (listening without lipreading)
condition: quiet Presentation 60dB 4% keywords correct

I cant compare with my results as I havent got them. Now I have asked and I hoping they will send me copies!!

anyone think of anything else I should have asked??

Most annoying sounds so far in 1st year..

2009-10-13T20:27:00.001+01:00

I am thinking back to what sounds annoying me the most since I first switched on..

Clock ticking away
James' Blackberry "ping" (It keep make me "jump out of my skin" every time!)
Pigeons in the garden (I still want to shoot them!!)
Pen clicking
sound of "sssssssssssss" (that nearly blew my brain out!)

anyone have any annoying sounds they like to comment??

October Adult day 2009

2009-10-11T13:02:00.003+01:00

Friday we decide to meet up for Pizza in Pizza hut in Nottingham. I brought my kids and lisa brought her so they were kept busy eating Pizza, leaving us alone to talk to everyone! It was a good night out, we were not home before 12!

Saturday was the adult's day. We met a few more new faces - Mel and David Walton. I have not met them before. Mel in same boat as me.. an CI user with 2 children and husband! so nice to meet another mum who have children at similar age.
I had another session with Maria. i focus on practise my P, B more and a few other letters like T. making a rhythm game which i can use to practice in car when I am bored... B...B..B...P...P..P..B..P..B..P..B..P it goes!
we also had 15 mins of listening skill practise and I surprise myself on how much I really can hear when speaking slowing focus on everyday conversation. for example..
"how many bedrooms do you have?"
"Pass the salt please"
"the dinner smell lovely"

and many more!!

Cant wait for another session because the more I practise the better I will be with listening and speaking.

Ears foundation will be offering family's day in the new year. so my family will be able get involve and understand how to help me. That's be good.

Wow new one from Connevans

2009-10-08T22:50:00.008+01:00

I decide that body Jam and Body balance were bad idea because I keep falling over, so I tried Boxercise. WOW! they keep BOTH my feet on the ground so no more falling over and my balance is ok.

Only problem I have had was that my implant keep come off when I do alot of sit up.. so i looked at Connevans and found this Ear gears..

http://www.connevans.co.uk/store/viewProduct.do?id=1234525

I going try them to see if any improvement...

I ordered it in brown colour.. there were very limited in colours urghh!

Woah trendy colours!

2009-09-30T22:33:00.001+01:00

Katie gave me a link, http://www.skinit.com/
This is where you can choose the colour to cover your AB sound processor and make it look excited!
I have order one this lovely design to see if it exciting enough on my sound processor for me! now I have to wait as it being shipped from America.

Family's walk at Stanton moor

2009-09-28T22:17:00.003+01:00

Yesterday we went on a short family walk, it was short because I not yet manage to walk far with my bad balance.

we saw the 9 ladies stone circle, at Stanton Moor. Its not how I remember! I thought the stones be taller than that! we walked in a circle for about an hour and half, while James took some pictures of anything interesting.

I could hear the wind and the leaves being crushing by our boots. It was new to be able recognised my name calling outside home by James. He call me alot to tell me stop and look, as I cant see everything when walking because everything goes blurring.

The girls were fast asleep on the way back to Derby, we decided to go Harvester resturant because we could not be bother to cook!

September Adult's day

2009-09-27T20:49:00.000+01:00

Friday we went to Ears Foundation to learn how to listen to Music. It was great to hear some familiar musical films like Sounds of Music, Mamma Mia, Annie and Olivers. I have to start watching these films and practise sing along... my girls will hate me forever!

I had one to one session with Maria Cameron, who helped me understand how to "say" few letters like P, B, S, Sh, K, ing and d. I did not know how to say these words thats why I got these words pronounced wrong! urggh! Its sound better with CI because I can now hear these words if focus carefully.
It was worth it, shame Derby PCT dont funding speech and language therapy to adults like us who want to build confidence with speech.

Friday evening we celebrate Charlotte and Judith's birthday by going to Flaming Dragon chinese buffet. very nice! It was nice to chat to other adults in informal setting. Shame I was driving so cant drink!

Saturday we got together again because Charlotte, Anna, and Manda were staying at Abgail's house for the weekend. we walked the dogs (Rosie, Boris and Katie's 2 dogs Lady and Oscar) around Elvaston Castle for couple of hours. they had picnic, shame I had to go home because of work for couple of hours, but I joined them later in the evening for barn dancing at Borrowash.

Barn dancing, some of CI adults never done Barn dancing because they lived south (look like its not common down there??) It was fun, a few feet trodding on.. but we didnt mind wait til next day to feel the pain!! We agree it was fun and want do again next year!!

New Job!!

2009-09-18T22:24:00.000+01:00

September 18th I started my new part time job, as Deaf tutor at Aldercar Infant School.
I support deaf children age 4yrs - 7yrs with their communication and BSL development.

It was good and I enjoyed my first day. It was strange to work in school with Rosie. I was worried at first because Rosie was not keen to work with little ones, but she did well! she completely ignore the children because she knew the childen were not allowed to touch her when she on her blanket!

Kos holiday

2009-08-29T08:25:00.001+01:00

We went for our family holiday first time in 3 years. We flew to Kos, an island in Greece.
We stayed 1 whole week, and it was hot and sunny 34c - 38c, a bit chilly in the evening which was fine for me. No problem get to sleep at night!

Not too many cars around, but lot of motorbikes roaring past. we walked nearly everywhere which was nice but difficult for me because I had to watch for the bikes and look where i am going!

all week, I heard strange little noises!! James and the girls just ignore them, but it was so annoying and loud!

It was mainly insects, not sure which, making alot of noise all day and night! "clicking" noise.
Not only insects, I heard the wooden pigeon! I was surprised because I hear this noise in my garden at home, but in Kos????

It was nice to hear the wave crashing to the rocks, it sound clear compare to when I worn hearing aid. It was like "music to my ears"

Hee hee!

2009-07-26T22:27:00.000+01:00

I just joined David Lloyds Leisure centre, just off Pride Park, it was about £15 more than I paid at Virgins Active for me and my 2 girls.

I attempted on recommendation of staff there to try Body Balance Class. Thought it would help teach/train my brain to focus on how to balance.

Ermm.. did it go well?? ! I thought I did pretty well for first time. No I did not let one foot off the ground as I though my fall would hurt that much if I did try attempt to lift one foot off the ground! I did wobble alot, but my CI came off more than one time.
I better think how to make it stay in place. mmmmmm

I had a problem following the instructions from the instructor because the mike was blocking her mouth, so I could not lip read her. It was much harder to hear her voice over the music in the background.

We have booked myself in for Body Jam on Saturday. This is sort of areobic and dancing all in one. Let's hope I do well in this.. no falling all over the place like I did at Body Balance!

D'oh!

2009-07-23T13:37:00.001+01:00

I must gone crazy!

I tried attempt to ring my grandfather, just to check they are at home, so that i could pop over to see them.

I did use the phone before with hearing aid, just to use a few simple words that I recognised like Hello, what, Yes and no.

I dialled the phone... few seconds, I wonder why there was no ringing tone which should be there.. mmm I wonder if faulty with my phone, then i suddenly realise I was holding it like I did when I worn hearing aid!! - above the ear where the hearing aid microphone is NOT in the ear like normal perople do!

D'oh!! I quickly move my phone to in the ear area and heard Nana trying to say hello, hello.

Ops!! I must remember to stop move the phone above the ear!!

The best thing was when I said "Don't forget put the kettle on" I heard nana laugh.. It was really weird to hear her laugh

What is this noise?????

2009-07-13T21:48:00.003+01:00

Its all quiet...
James upstair dealing with ebay, selling my dog cage..
Girls in bed.. fast asleep!

I am hearing this awful squeaking noise right now...
I have been looking around.. snooping..

Ahhhhh! its the stupid hamster running round and round the squeaky wheel!!!!

Virgins Grrrrrrrr!!!

2009-07-11T17:00:00.002+01:00

Why does some people make it so difficult??

I have been member of Virgin Active club for a year now.
Why? I wanted to keep fit and not get fat.. that was last year, I was slim and pretty ; ) not only that, I wanted my girls to keep fit and healthy. I want them to love sports.

all this time, I was told that I will get equal access to everything that hearing members get, thats why I pay same price as hearing members, £47 a month. That's the student membership price.
I think now, is rather daft, because I know a few members who are full member and pay £39 a month.. How come the student member is expensive than normal membership???

the equal access I expect to get which seems fair..

1. subtitles on all channels, no matter where or when because hearing members can listen to music anytime.

2. staff will be able to communicate easily and will talk and help at all time.
Dont have to sign, just willing to talk and take time.

3. All equipments will be made available all the time to me, all Gym equipments, exercise classes and swim equipments.

MMMMMMMmmmmmm!!
answer to these questions.. It been 12 months now...

1. NO subtitles!!!

2 Staff too SCARE to talk to me!! I could not understand them properly because of the awful blaring music in the background.

3. A few equipments I cannot use.. treadmill give me electricity shock.. Power plate I dare not to use because it might dislocate my implant.. Exercise classes.. HOW on the earth I going to follow what is instructed when bouncing or eyes shut or whatever, but with my balance, I am scare I might fall over and being laughed at!!

4. Health and Safety at the Centre is very poor.. no flashing light for Fire Alarm at all, I am now a bit concerning about how I know when the fire alarm goes off when I not wearing my CI for example when I am swimming or in Bubble room (the spa - sauna and steam room) or when I in the loo having a poo?? (I dare not to go for poo.. I wait til I get home ha!!)

I have complained all year about all this not giving me equal access, especially subtitles. I did email and phone, as well approach in person to complain. I keep saying they will look into it.

James point it all out to the manager on the phone last week and offer them a choice of give me package with personal trainer to make up for not give me the discount all last year and lower my membership fee now on. I not complaining about this. This sound too good to pass on, especially when thinking about the costs involve if drag DDA into this?

BUT the manager keep saying the problems will be solved.. It has been 1 year, we have complained and complained.. nothing solved.

I going think about drive them a hard bargin at the end of the month if nothing solved.. I going to ask for all my money back by ask for 1 year membership FREE for my whole family and a carer too, because I need some communication support when doing exercise classes or in the Gym. I think this sound fair.. dont you??

Ear Foundation Interpreter problems

2009-07-10T16:51:00.003+01:00

The reason of not having interpreter at adult days was... they too expensive! £600 a day for TWO interpreters!!! Blimey!!!!!

I have suggesting that they could use volunteers, ask Level 2 and 3 to come and volunteer to help sign.

This will prevent the the problem arising from the last adult day in May.

This is what they going to do..

If you know anyone who want to volunteering with communication, You are on level 2 course/pass level 2 (must be good signing and pretty confident) or Level 3
please contact them and they will have a chat with you to see if you are good enough to cope with us evil CI adults!

Hark I hear thunder...

2009-05-19T20:29:00.000+01:00

Woah today weather.. what is it? of course it's british weather.. what do you expect??

we had sort of April shower all day..

today driving home from work.. I stopped the car to listen.. It was thunder storm. I listen hard, it was difficult, because I was in the car, hearing the rain hitting the windscreen...
I heard thunder.. strange sound it was.. sort of rumble sound.. it was very quiet sound.

BSL Cochlear implant user..

2009-05-11T20:32:00.002+01:00

Why does this happening??

Its all stupid!!

I was told by other BSL CI user about what was happening at Adult day at Ears Foundation, that made me fuming mad..

A speaker from Hearing Concern told all the CI user there, that they SHOULD NOT use BSL or sign language at all, because they could hear and should learn to talk properly..

Good grief!!
It like telling the Spanish person that they are not allowed to speak Spanish when they in England.. nor does the Chinese people!!
Does it means... the Spanish person who wear Cochlear implant are not allowed to speak Spanish at all??

It should be up to the person whatever language they are using. Its up to deaf person if they want Cochlear implant or not.. No one should ever stop the deaf person from speaking whatever language they want to speak or sign.

I chosen to use both Sign Language and speech because then I have best of both world..

I was brought up oral - I relies on lipreading. I went to mainstream school (Ashgate Junior school in Derby, Longcar Junior School in Barnsely, and William Sharpe school in Nottingham)

I wanted to use sign language to communicate.. no matter BSL or SSE.. for 2 reasons..
1. why should I force deaf friend to speak because I have CI??
2. do I want to lipread and listen 24/7? no thanks!!!

I rather relax and enjoy myself by using my hands.. its so " visual and creative" no one who can sign should ever give up.. its really useful in noisy places like pubs and nightclubs! I like watch people in the pub who "stove" their ear up the speaker mouth to hear.. Urghhh! do I want to allow my mouth "taste" whatever in their ear?? (think of ear wax...)

There is no shame in using sign language.. if you can sign.. then wonderful.. it make some situation like the workshops so much easier because it so hard work watching 10 different people talking.. and so many different lip pattern to translate..

Yes I can talk.. my speech is okay.. of course I have deaf accent.. nothing I can do to change at the moment.. not without any help.. but why should I want to talk to other deaf person if they want to use sign language?? It so much fun using sign language..

CI users should be able to have a choice to use sign language and speech..
When battery go flat.. I hear nothing.. I cannot even lipread at all!!
other point is how do I lipread at swimming bath?? my CI is not waterproof and I cannot wear when I swim!!
There are quite a few times that I cant wear CI which can make a problem when involve communication.

Its alright for some who can wear CI and Hearing aid together.. (Thats a cheat!) But that's no excuse for tell the CI user that they CANNOT use sign language because they can hear!

One thing need to consider... there are thousand and thousand of words in English langauge as well as in any spoken language, some does sound similar for example "Ship" and "Chip" also "Beans and peas"
How on earth do you expect CI user to "click finger" and miracle happen, understood everything that is said to them without any help from sign language or lipreading if they need it?? It take years and years of practise to understand what is said without any help.
Not every CI users can become an expert in listening everything overnight. We all need to be flexiable to everyone needs, so if CI users decide to stick with BSL and not want to use lipreading because they have not got the skill, then we should respect their wishes. This means, provide an interpreter for this person.

I am losing my faith in Ears Foundation because they are not supporting BSL/SSE users by not providing Interpreters at adult days....

So everyone give a thought to people like me and other BSL/SSE users.. stop picking on us.. go and pick on someone your size!!

we are not living in 1880 where sign language was banned.. we in 2009.. sign language is allowed!! everyone have the freedom and the right to choose.

6 months!!!

2009-04-27T22:23:00.000+01:00

Just received email from Ropewalk that I am due for my 6 months tuning appointment this coming Friday, 1st May.

I cant believe 6 months have gone that quick.

thinking back.....

I do hear more than what I can hear with hearing aid. I did hear well with hearing aid, but just could not wear it much due to ear mould allergy.
I now find when people move the chairs, in my class, where i teach sign language, UNBEARABLE!!! that awful noise when they pull the chairs on the floor.. I wonder.. does it sound worst than the chalk on the blackbaord that people have been saying about. I have never heard the chalk on the blackboard. i would to listen to that and sympathic to those who hate it!!!

Not only that.. I loathe.... people using the "S"!!! it nearly blew my brain off my head when I hear Debsssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!

I now know when Rosie come down the stairs, by listen to her collar making noise.. its her tags that hit together that make noises. "Click Click click click"

I dont understand how people love the birds singing... Oh my goddess... I really wanted to shoot these birds... their singing is terrible!!!! far too loud for me.. Collar dove Pigeon are the worst!

3 weeks ago.. I had argument with James, First time, in 20 years i have been with James, I heard his snoring!!! I was already awake and working on PC doing my lesson plan for my teaching job, he was having his lie in as he was on late shift from work the night before.. I hear this noise, that I never heard.. I realise after 10 mintues that it was snoring, because I listen closer to him and heard it. I told him he snore like a elephant, as it sound like a trumpet!! He kept saying he never snore unless he a drunk.. yeah right!! I will record it next time to prove I am not mad!

what else??

Ah.. I know when my girls are arguing upstairs, straight after i asked politely to go upstair to bed. I had to go up and tell them off.. they could not believe it!! they always thought they could get away with it. NOT A CHANCE!!!!

I now have taken up reading, I got ipod nano, for Christmas, from James. I download from itune shop, a bit cheaper than Waterstone, and have started to read Eva ibbotson's and Stephenie Meyer's books. I read and listen at the same time. Its a good way to teach me to listen. I am saving money to buy 2 more books to listen while i on holiday in Greece, I love sunbathing and read books.

I have started to listen to more music.. and learn to read the words to songs so that I can understand and enjoy it more..
I found Steve Wonder, the blind singer who I enjoy watch on Top of the Pop years ago... easy to follow. George Michael, I knew the words to the songs... I still enjoy him, but the beats are now a little too fast for me to follow.. I prefer at the moment the singers who words to the songs are easy to follow like Rocky Horror Show and Steve Wonder. I like GreenFire, the french folk singer and Prego, because they dont have words, they just play music. Nice to listen to the beats.

I find, films on TV have more meanings, especially the scary films... Oh boy! I jump out of my settee more now than I used to!! I listen to background noise more now on TV.
James must be pretty sick by now of me texting him, to find out when he's home from work because I am too scare to be alone after watching the films!!

This show Cochlear implant have a little more advantage over hearing aid... Its all about power... hearing aids.. carry noise through the ear drum, so it would not be able to carry such noise like high freqencies through ear drum, in fear that it might break ear drum, or the hair in cochlear is too "dead" (like mine)
Honest... I am glad, I had it done now... not 10 year ago... because the technology is much better now than in the past. the operation method is better now.. I would not want to have my hair shaved!!!
No one know I have cochlear implant, unless I tell them... Why should I?? I am same person as I was before the operation.. it not changed who I am!

What is a shame now.. is my grandfather, granddad Ron, have missed all this achievement.. it was his dream, and he tried so hard to save money to send me to America to have any operation to "cure my deafness" I would tell him that this is best offer I have got, which is closer to being hearing. I would never be a hearing person because I am 37 years too late, my behaviour and attitiude still the same. I just hear more now than I used to, but I still like who I am. Iam sure he will be delight, I will never know as he died when I was 10 years old.

One best thing ever happen to me, is I now no longer say "sorry" to my other grandfather, Granddad Reg, We now able to have nice conversation every week, and I understood everything he said to me.

I am still learning to hear all the noises... I have long way to go before I can hear like normal hearing person will have. children who have cochlear implant when young, will do way better than I am doing because their brain are like sponge.. and they dont have bad habit to rely on.. like I do.. I will never get rid of "deaf accent" that I have to speak with.. children will "get away with" and pretend to be hearing child/person.. but I will never get away with it, because I dont have enough help from professional like speech therapist.

StoryNory time!

2009-02-21T23:59:00.000Z

Had a chance to peek the website and listen to a story..

The Valentine Witch through my smartlink as I am not allowed to wear my cochlear implant direct connect directly to my netbook like earphones when netbook is on the main charger!

Click the picture to see and listen to story.

The story - audio was nice and slow, easy to follow the script online. I enjoy it and look forward to read and listen to more stories. Shame the script only available online, not on podcast, so I cant listen away from laptop.

Eye test from hell!

2009-02-15T21:18:00.000Z

I went to have my routine eye test, i thought i give this one a go.. as I was not too happy with my old optician. This one is where i go for my contact lens, the contact lens department I am really happy with..

I arrived, woah what an attitude from receptionist, awful!! The area was really noisy place, I could not cope it. my eyes already shake from what I believe called OKN.

The lady, I met first, refuse to take me to quiet place to ask me basic questions like my address and my name, also who my doctor. I had to demand or I walk out!
You will laugh, she did 4 simple test, I DID tell her I am deaf, she was telling me instruction when I am not looking. I did not understand a word she was saying because of awful background noise and she was going too fast. I kept remind her that i am deaf and need to see her lip to understand what she was saying, but she ignore me and rush me on every test.

after the test, I had to sit down again to wait for the Optician, he did not know I was deaf. I had to tell him, but he was nice, and seems to be deaf aware. all went smooth during this.

when i came out to wait for the receptionist to go though to order me new lense as my eye sight on the right was worse.
I had to wait in the shop area for 15 long mintues.. so much noises.. hear the typing from PC, telephone were ringing, people come in and out of door (creaking) and ladies shoes (High heels) people talking and laughing. My brain felt like it was going to explode!

Finally different lady came, I had to insist we go in quiet room to talk. all went ok, i had to run out of the shop and straight into the car. I could not stand much longer as I am pretty sure my brain going to explode!

listening skills

2009-02-13T21:54:00.000Z

I went back to Ropewalk, this time with my mum. We met Susan Stone, the speech and Language Therapist.
I was so impressive with myself, Susan did some tests to assess how much I can hear, I manage to tell susan the correct sounds for each word on clothing and weather. She was actually surprise how far advanced I was with sound work.. Especially with building works going on outside (can hear the hammering and drilling!!!!)

Susan gave me some advice how to keep working on the sounds.. with my mum's help. Mum going to read me articles from magazine or book, and I have to follow it, also play more board games which involve talking.

I have been online googling for website I could use as I am very motivating to try work on it. I wanted to be able to listen and communicate without rely heavy on lip reading.. my milestone would be to talk on the phone with my family.
This is the website I found online:
Bionicear listening site

Another one I have not yet to try.. is Storynory I am not sure if they do what I am looking for... I wanted something where I can read a book, does not matter online or offline.. and listen at the same time. Ebook only do books without sounds... Audiobooks only do sounds without books!! I wanted in between..
I going find out tomorrow when I am more wake as I am tired from working hard at Ropewalk with Susan.

Utube

2009-02-11T11:35:00.000Z

I was looking at cochlear implant video clips and found 2 brilliant ones.. I going use these as part of my deaf awareness..

what do you think??

Rock Horror!

2009-02-08T21:41:00.000Z

Yesterday my two girls were so gobsmacked!

we were in the car driving to Ikea from home, that about 20 mins drive.
I had CD in the car, I was singing to the "Time Warp" without any help.. I got wordings right!!!

That's not a surprise as James forced me to watch it years ago before the girls were born on video. I remember the words to the song because of subtitles.

I just recognised some of the words like "Let's do the Time warp again" as it was slow enough for me to work it out.

for those who dont know what is Rock Horror Picture Show..

Cat wear cochlear implant

2009-02-08T17:09:00.001Z

I found this when google for picture of cochlear implant for my Deaf Awareness class.

Not sure if thats cruel?? I would not do that to Star, my deaf cat!!

"Implanted cat 5 months after surgery.The cat wears the device 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.These cats are born deaf and offer an excellent model forstudying congenital deafness. With the implant, cats will comewhen called and demonstrate behaviorally that they can hear." quote found from http://fookembug.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/a-cat-with-cochlear-implants/

Going freelance

2009-02-04T19:19:00.000Z

I need to start looking for different job, because where I work as sign language and deaf awareness teacher, not reliable wage, dont pay me throughout summer! imagine 3 months without pay??
There is not much teaching in Sign Language because everyone now find its too expensive to enrol in classes, thats why alot of classes closed down because not enough people come.

I already working self employment with Derby Bunny Haven, running my own animals holiday hotel, but the money is not good, not enough to help James pay the mortage.

I enjoy teaching deaf awareness, and meet a lot of people who want to be able to communicate with deaf, not just Deaf people who use sign language.
I get a bit fed up, because everyone know I teach sign language, as I have taught since 1992. They assume, because I teach sign language, I cannot lipread or talk at all. so some people get scare and run off to avoid talking to me!!
What people do not know is that I did not learn sign language until I was about 12yrs, so how did they expect me to communicate beforehand? I only learnt to sign, so that I would not feel isolated at the Royal school for the Deaf, with everyone using sign language.

I want to go as freelance, teaching Deaf awareness and basic sign language to businesses and companies.
I going to register with "Signatures" (Its new name for CACDP) to enable me to provide assessments for level 1 and 2 in deaf awareness.

Smartlink Radio FM

2009-02-03T06:32:00.000Z

After the workshop at Nottingham Ears Foundation, I thought try see what wrong with my Smartlink FM radio with information they have given to me. They were right... It was the battery that was dead!!

I thought afterward... Let's see what the ringing tone sound like with bluetooth turned on in my Smartlink... It sound normal.. I just need to turn the volume up in my CI sound processor. I don't think I bother with that bluetooth that the man mentioned which sound robot to me. I will stick to my Smartlink!

This is my Smartlink FM radio aid.

CI adult workshop

2009-02-01T05:00:00.000Z

I went with James and Paul for first time, to a workshop, aiming at Adult CI. It was at Ears Foundation in Nottingham, not too far from The Queens (hospital)
We went to nearly every session which lasted 30 minutes each, learning as much as we could on how to benefit from Cochlear Implants.

I already had a problem on how to use my Smartlink radio FM at home, so it was a good opportunity to ask questions to the expert from Advance Bionic and Phonak company. We tested on their Smartlink which took 10 minutes (It was battery that needed replacing!!) We assume it must be same for me, battery dead. (I tried at home and it was the battery! D'oh!)

There were other two sessions I was interested in the telephone communication and how to adapt the telephone for T switch.

We looked first at the bluetooth T switch for the mobile which was called "Geemarc CL Bluehook Bluetooth headset" The man said you can buy from Connevans (LINK here!) I was not too sure about it because the volume was not loud enough and the speech sound like a robot, which I dislike very much.

The next session, we looked at how we can learn to talk and listen on the telephone. I have had a go, using a script to follow and had my first conversation on the telephone. This was so exciting and it was strange because I've never had a conversation on the phone since I went deaf. I was so scare.. I was thinking "help!!" It took a few attempts from Maria to say the sentence because it was too fast for me to work out what it was, I kept telling her that she was too fast. I think it was me being nervous, but in the end, I was able to finish the conversation as she went much slower to allow me pick up the words clearly. I wanted to practice more later at home, because now I know I could have telephone conversation with my family if I practise hard enough so I took a lot of leaflets that explained how to do it! I think I will need a new telephone - digital one so that we can practice without spending alot on phone bill, a bit like walkie talkie radio.

The buffet at lunchtime was lovely and worth it - shame about decaffeinate coffee not available for me! I won a bottle of red wine in the raffle. (Yippe!! I am drinking it now as I type.. not whole bottle!!)

After the day workshop, a group of us went to celebrate Abigail's birthday by having Chinese buffet and a few quick drinks at the pub. The restaurant was lovely but took half hour to deliver our drinks to the table!! I was very thirsty, waiting for my pint of lemonade.

Deaf Teacher's Voice DVD

2009-01-24T09:51:00.000Z

Woah.. DVD came in the post.. I forgot all about it, Easter 2008 I helped EMCETT organisation help set up a DVD for college and University, raise deaf aware in Education.

All Teachers who only complete City and Guilds 730 in teacher training, have to repeat their qualification, to raise standard of quality up to level 5 by 2010. So I was already doing teacher training (Diploma in Lifelong learning Sector) so the feedback on my experience in University was proven valuable. I had a lot to say about my course, especially about the poor interprter struggle to listen over background noises.

I watched the DVD and found myself in the DVD about 4 times..It was scary to see myself on DVD!! I dont look too bad in there!

DVD is called "Deaf voice in Teacher Education" produced by Action Deafness. It is strongly recommeded for College/University staff to watch!!

Leek Soup

2009-01-22T16:11:00.000Z

I was at Greengrocer the other day, and wanted to try something with sweet potato instead of normal potato...
Ah! I decide try make into soup!!

Here how I did.. no measurement.. but enough for four people.

3 sweet potato.. peel the skin off and chopped up small pieces
2 leeks.. peel skin off and chop ends off.. then chopped small pieces
1 onion.. same again peel skin off, chop ends off and then chopped small pieces

put them in stock pot with 1 pint hot water and 2 oxo.. we use vegetable oxo.. (can use beef or chicken oxo)

boil until very soft.. about 15 mins (you could on slow cooker for 3 hours but my slow cooker seems have gone busted!)
take off cooker and then blend it user blender.. until smooth..
Add black pepper.

put back cooker for 5 mins and then it should be hot enough to eat with bread and butter!! (no bread and butter for me as I on diet!!)

BSL cafe

2009-01-20T22:09:00.001Z

I just went to have a "nosey" at this new BSL cafe bar that was just open last Monday.
Very nice!

It was nice to go in cafe, and be able to sign what you want, know you will get the order right.. Hot chocolate i ordered.. nice hot drink!!
I have told them I would prefer decaffeinated coffee to hot chocolate because I am on diet!! I know I am being cheeky.. finger cross.. they will get it for me next time!!

go on... visit them!! they at Saddlergate, in BlackSmith Yard.
www.bslcafebar.co.uk but website not finish... but they are in facebook.

Siren??

2009-01-20T21:58:00.000Z

Last night, I went to work as usual at 5.30pm to get through all that traffic in city centre.. as I need to get to D.M.C which is near D.R.I hospital, that will take me 20 mins through the traffic from home.

I was in queue near traffic light opposite Westfield shopping car park, when I hear that awful racket, I wonder, is it my radio? nah its not supposed be that loud, I look around for that noise, it got louder and louder, until it aproach near, then it flash blue light via my mirror, thats when I realise it was a rapid response ambulance car!
Now I be able to hear ambulance coming before it come too close to my bumper!!!
When I was wearing hearing aid, I never hear it coming, and I always get a grumpy policeman sort of cursing at me to look mirror, one thing they don't realise is when i look mirror, nothing there 20 sec later ops! blue light flashing, they goes too fast!! They do need to have Deaf awareness!!

In the Park

2009-01-16T15:36:00.000Z

I was working at lunchtime today, as a Pet sitter. I was walking a dog called Cassy, she is a greyhound, along with Rosie, my dog. We walked in a park called Derwent park, which is next door to the Darley park.

I heard this noise, I listens to it for long enough but did not know what it was.. I have never heard of it before.

I recorded the sound on my phone and then send as MMS to James, who said the noises were ducks!! how odd are they? I dont expect a loud noise like that!!

Where the pond? there is no pond around here and I could not see the ducks around here in the park.

I did not realise how noisy the park was. I always thought, all my life, that the park was the quiet place to go to! It was a surprise for me to know now it is the noisy but nice place to go.

Now I am trying to find a way to upload the sound to here.. can anyone help?????

Think I found a website.. let's try this and let me know if its successful!

Sound of birds click here!!

Guinea pigs

2009-01-15T15:12:00.000Z

I have a lot of Guinea pigs, I look after as pets and breed some of them for showing in local competitions and to sell. I keep a few different breed, Tort and white, Teddy, chocolate self and shelties.

I did not think about until today, when I went to feed and clean them out today... They does make different tone of squeaking! When I worn hearing aid, they sound the same.. not very loud.

I heard the tort and white group who make the higher pitch squeak and quick rhythm when hear me approaching them with food.. Shelties make very quiet tone of squeaking like as if they were shy.

thats something new to me as i did not realise before!

teddy sow name Goldie, with her 2 days old baby

I swam with the sharks

2009-01-13T22:42:00.001Z

I am not joking!!! (This is a message for someone who did not believe me... Here's the proof!)

I swam with sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium near Ellesmere Port, Merseyside. That's near Liverpool!!

I did it last October 2006 to raise money for Hearing dogs.

This has been my dream.. and I have done it! I was not supposed to do any diving because of water pressure with my right ear (bad ear) Mr Parker at DRI hospital have allowed me to do this one off opportunity. Thank you Mr Parker!!

Photobucket Album

I cannot believe it!!!

2009-01-13T19:53:00.000Z

I went to my class for a University course, but in Ripley.

Oh boy! Dont realise how much noise the traffic could make at this time of the evening.
My class is in the heart of Ripley, just round the corner from Council House. There is so much traffic going past the centre where my class is. All the 3 hours I have been in the class, I could hear...

The horn from the cars
Lorries going past
Bins being emptied by dustbin lorry -rather loud!
siren - not sure if it's police, fire or ambulance - rather loud!
cars speeding past quickly- roaring sound

My interpreter, I can now sympathise her. She could not relay everything being said in the class, and had to ask them to repeat everything.

I cannot believe that University allows a class to run in a very noisy environment!!!

my cat and dog!

2009-01-12T10:30:00.000Z

Here's a picture of Billy and Rosie...

Billy is my kitten, he is 7 months old, we think he is a cross maine coon. He is a very naughty cat, who like's to eat you!

Rosie is my 2nd Hearing dog, she is 7yrs old now.. She likes to follow me everywhere!

Terror in the car!

2009-01-09T00:51:00.000Z

My first day back to work after Christmas holiday. I got to St Giles church in Sinfin, where I teach level 1 sign language, early. It was too early for me to go in. I stayed in car for 10 mintues.

I heard a quiet noise, sound like a knock. I looked around, nothing! no one around. I ignore it, but it did again, I looked around, nothing again. It was same again and again, I started to get spooky as it was scaring to hear the knocking sound when no one around to knock the windows. I looked at the windscreen, and saw these drip of water from the tree I parked underneath, it has been raining very early morning. I realise that every time water hit my windscreen, it make knocking noise!

Oh boy! it was so scary!!

Christmas!

2008-12-26T02:39:00.000Z

Oh boy, I think today was the noisy Christmas I ever had in my life!
I got right headache tonight, thank you Nurofen for being a life saving!!

I woke up with my two girls jump in my bed with all the presents, you could hear the wrapping paper making awful noises.. ripping and rustling.

next thing was visit to my mum.. more wrapping paper noise.. and.. the baby not being happy baby! Scarlett was screaming her head off. (Note to myself.. stay away from screaming baby.. as it cause my eyes to shake!!)

Nice thing I got for Christmas was James bought me ipod nano, so I can use in Gym to cut out the noises in the Gym. who in the right frame of mind want to hear elephants on treadmills???

problem solved!

2008-12-25T05:25:00.000Z

I drove first time to Nottingham, with Emily and Sarah first time since the operation without any adults in the car. It was scary as got two roundabouts to focus on!

Met up with Claire, she explain its common problem, brain absorb sound information in different speed, for me my brain was absorbing very fast. Claire turned the volume up for me and that was relief! back to "normal" for me!! with higher volume, I hear few more new sounds.. for example, i now can hear the keyboard of the computer and keypad of the mobile phones. tapping and clicking away.

After the appointment, we went straight back to Derby with a mission to wear Emily and Sarah out ready for Father Christmas.

What we have done today, which I am completely worn out from!

1 hour swimming
1 hour ice skating - thats outdoor in freezing afternoon!
Coffee with Lisa and her children after skating to warm up
A meal at harvester - could not be bother to cook!!

Problem!

2008-12-19T02:23:00.000Z

Everything suddenly went quiet!
I could not hear the ferrets drinking from water bottle.. not even the noise from people coming up and down the stairs!

Arrgh!

Time to ask Ropewalk what to do next.. maybe its problem with my implant??

email back.. that was quick.. appointment with claire on 24th Dec 1pm

1 Month later

2008-12-17T23:14:00.000Z

I went back for my 1 month tuning. Everything start to quiet down, it was not loud as it was when I had my last tuning because my brain got used to all the new noises. This was right time to go back for next tuning.

we did the usual test, where I had to let Claire know when it got too loud, not confortable to listen. we had to do this for every frequencies. I forgot how many there were because it took ages to go through every single ones! I was there for 1 and half hour.
After I was disconnected, everything sound much better again, much louder than when I arrived. Claire said, I must expect few more new sounds because we had the volume turned up again.

I complained that the magnet did not stay on my head when I was resting on settee or when I stroke my hair or even when I shake my head. The swelling have come down and it look, I was ready for the next strength. I was given new magnet which was a little stronger than old one. I felt better as now it does not fall off when I stroke my hair. I dont have fringe, and need keep hair off my face for people to see me!

What I heard this time:

Rosie's collar make noise when she move
wind blowing
my zip when I fasten or unfasten my coat

Christmas party at Ears Foundation - Nottingham

2008-12-14T05:01:00.000Z

I went along, with Lisa, to the Ear Foundation Christmas Party and had a brilliant time. I met some of new friends who I speak to regularly on CIUG2004 forum and MSN, This was first event I have been to, meeting a lot of people who wear CI.

It was hard work, trying teach 12 days of Christmas to everyone!! but I enjoy the afternoon. It was nice to meet everyone.

Gym workout

2008-12-08T01:46:00.000Z

Today was first time I went back to Virgins for Gym workout since the operation. I want get my figure back for my birthday. Time to lose weight.

My goddess!! so noisy!
If I was blind... I would swear there are elephants on treadmill... rhino on rowing machine and monkey on exercise bikes! Not only that.. music terrible!! It sound like someone is trying to kill a baby... howling and screaming.

I was not very motivating to complete my 1 and half hour workout because of all that noises, also TV got no subtitles to distract me.

A strange look at me....

2008-12-02T00:07:00.000Z

I had my teacher from University coming to observe my class today. I decided to tell him about last week class with him and to complain about students in his class eating during lecture.

I think I felt right prat! He was amazed that I could hear these noises. He said am I supposed be deaf?
I explained to him that Cochlear Implant is much more powerful than hearing aid and receive a lot more frequencies than hearing aid can get, but it is up to my brain to try translate what the sounds meant, thats why I cannot yet translate speech and continue need interpreter for group conversation and classroom.
He said he will talk to the class and ask them to restrain from eating during lecture

Bubble Gum!

2008-11-26T05:58:00.000Z

I went back to my class first time since the operation, as I was fairly confident to drive to Ripley now after being switched on. It was a long and scary drive, not having anyone sit next to me and also its first time I drove back home at night. I never droven in the dark since the operation.

My goddess! this was first time I ever heard.. bubble gum being chewed and popped!! How annoying it was in the classroom! All I heard in the classroom was teeth clicking (I cant describe in english... HELP!!) then pop... again and again for 3 whole hours...

Not only that.. just after the break.. 2 people decide to open packet of crisp.. and eat it during the lecture!!!! rustling and crunching it goes for the last hour of the class!!

How rude!!!!!

1 week later. 1st tuning appointment

2008-11-22T05:24:00.000Z

James and I went back for my 1st tuning appointment.
I was glad when it was finish, after i was disconnected from the computer, everything seems to sound much better, and clearer. As I was hearing all the high frequencies for 1 week, could not make any clear understand on speech because it did not sound right to me with all the new high frequencies taking over. The tuning make the low and high frequencies balanced, so now I can understand speech better.

When I got home, there were a few new sounds I heard that I did not hear last week:

my ferrets drinking from water bottle
people going up and down the stairs
doors creak when open and close the door
toilet being flushed when I was downstairs (toilet is upstairs)

Walking stick

2008-11-15T09:40:00.000Z

I really hate the hospital style walking stick.. boring.. silver and grey... it is very depression colour!

Google around found this.. http://www.switchsticks.com/
mmm!! very colourful!

I have ordered myself this colour.. Luxury 'Circles' with black handle and black wrist

can't wait for it to arrive.. ready for when I go back to work.. with style!

Switch on!

2008-11-14T02:00:00.000Z

My operation was on 20th October at 3pm, at Queens Hospital in Nottingham.

I did not write much about my operation because my operation is like any other operation for a cochlear implant, but I only have one cochlear, so I suffered really badly from the operation. My balance was terrible, I felt like I had been drinking non stop alcohol. I could barely walk for at least 4 weeks. I could not even see properly, everything was blurring like if I was a drunk. Now I am able to walk, but I use a walking stick to aid my balance.

Talking about switch on today...

James drove me to Nottingham, Ropewalk clinic. We had an appointment at 9am with Ellen, rather early!! We left our house in Derby at 8am to "avoid" the rush hour!
I was nervous, because I was worried that it would not work. This would meant I would be completely deaf forever, no hearing at all. It was a risk I took when I made the decision to go ahead with implant. I only have one cochlear available to use for implant. my right ear have nothing in there, no cochlear, no ear drum - nothing at all!

When I was attached to computer, I heard alot of beep noises. that was it, I knew then that it worked! What a relief it was for me, I smiled and felt good, as I was living in complete silence for past 4 weeks, I did not like it.

I was then "switched on" not attached to computer. I heard all the noises. I was expecting, after talk to other cochlear implantees what they heard on switch on day, they most said they heard "beep beep beep beep" noise.. I was overwhelmed with all the noises I heard. I heard the clock ticking away, I never ever heard that before. Most important was I hear James' voice, I am not sure if I was impressive with it! It did sound strange because I never heard men's voice because they all too deep for me.

One sound bugs me all day after the appointment, I did not know what it was, I asked James and Ellen. They could not work out what I was trying to describe. It took me 5 hours later to work out what it was, at home when I sat down on settee, in living room, it was in complete silence. I decide hold my breath, I dont know why I thought I should. the annoying noise I was looking for.. stopped... That was it! I realise this was the first sound I heard when I was switch on! my breathing was making noise. I never knew that people's breathing could make noise.

Forum

2008-11-12T10:28:00.001Z

This Forum had been a great source of support and help!

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ciug2004/

This is aimed at people who consider implant or already wear one.

First Post!

2008-11-12T08:40:00.000Z

Wow!
This will be my online diary for everyone to see what life is like with a cochlear implant.
This will be useful for people who are making decision whether to go ahead the with cochlear implant.

Bear in mind, I am profoundly deaf, had some speech before I went deaf, but I never remember hearing any sounds before I became ill. Every sound is new to me.