Last week, I went back to the hospital for further re-tuning. Sounds in particularly voices are now becoming more recognisable as my brain continues to re-adjust. I haven't really listened to any more new sounds - just sharper and crisper. For example, walking along the River Test yesterday, I could hear my footsteps on the gravel very clearly, water rushing and people talking. There were also a few cyclists on the path but I didn't hear them coming from behind me. Perhaps I would have heard them if I had the cochlear switched to the 'Outside' programme (see previous post below).
Anyway, the audiologist was pleased with my progress so far and decided that I should have hearing tests. There were 2 main tests:
- Listening and lip-reading a man on television. He spoke without any facial expressions (like a robot!). He spoke approximately 20 sentences.
- Again, listening to the same chap on television but without lip-reading.
Before the operation, using hearing-aids, the success rates were 94% and 49% respectively. Now, 3 weeks after the operation, the success rates were 95% and 66% respectively. Quite a big improvement on the second test, so that was very pleasing.
Next month, a telephone workshop is being planned to test if I can use the device. It would be great to turn the clocks back to over 20 years ago when I was able to use the telephone (with limited use). Will see.
There is an useful short video (2 minutes) describing visually how a cochlear implant works (don't worry, there is no gory!).
How a cochlear implant works.
Walking in the town at lunchtime today, a stranger came to me to say that she noticed my cochlear implant and just wanted to say that her friend had his operation last year. She added that he was making great progress especially with his speech. She then said, "It is a pleasure to meet you" and walked off! It has made my day :)
Since having the cochlear implant re-tweaked last Wednesday, the voices are no longer cackling. Hurray! In fact, voices sound more familiar except that I am still hearing the letters 's' and 't' in the speech which are very important. The benefits of having a CI over a hearing-aid are now reaping and becoming more apparent.
I was having a session with a speech therapist and she left me momentarily in a room. It was very quiet that you could hear a pin drop. I suddenly heard a sharp high pitched rhythm. I looked around and realised the sound was coming from the second hand of a large office clock. I now understand why guests take out batteries from clocks in the bedroom! Must be quite irritating.
I have two new programmes on the processor. One is called "Outside". I mentioned to the audiologist that the traffic noises sounded somewhat muted. The main reason is that the CI is programmed for speech and other sounds are compressed and compromised. This 'Outside' programme could be used for example when walking in the high street and cycling. I tried it when I went for a bike ride and it was definitely helpful as I was able to hear when a vehicle was about to overtake. The other programme is called 'Ultra-zoom' which should be used when listening to someone in a noisy environment such as a pub and cafe. I'm seeing someone at lunchtime and will try that out.
I did ask her if there was a such programme called 'Muted' which could be activated every time my wife speaks. Sadly there was no such thing :)
I had lunch with my work colleagues yesterday and they were all mumbling as usual. However, I was able to detect who was talking and to hear separate words although still incomprehensible. That is some improvement. Will I be able to follow the conversations in future? May be a little. Will have to wait and see.
I will be visiting the hospital once again at the end of the week, so hopefully there will be further improvements.
Last Monday, I went back to the hospital to have my cochlear implant re-tuned. After a couple of hours or so, the sounds were more clear and familiar. I then went home. As soon as I started listening to my family and the television, the voices sounded more distorted and cackling. I felt I was in Pendle Hill, Lancashire where the famous witches lived! The sounds were unbearable that I even had to leave the lounge away from the television. I sent a SOS mail to the hospital and they managed to find me a free slot on the following day to further re-tune my device. The voices still sounded cackling but I could tolerate them for the next appointment a week later.
I can now hear people coming down the stairs and Harry walking about in his bedroom when I am in the study below. That is quite handy so that I know if he is in bed or playing about!
After a long hot spell, we finally had rain and I was able to hear the rain platting on the car while driving. Quite a nice and comforting sound.
In the office, I am hearing people have conversations although I do not (yet?!) understand them. I can even hear them walking about; the door being opened and closed. The keyboard is so loud and I know if my colleagues are typing or not. I am now very conscious when typing and try to press the keys gently. The air conditioner above me hums but it is not irritating.
I went to Sofia for a few days to watch the Deaflympics. I had a great time but it was so noisy most of the time that I did not have the chance to listen for new sounds. However, I did manage to go for a couple of runs in the morning and was pleased that my device (the outside part which is the processor) did not fall off. The magnet is strong enough to hold its place.
I have been practising listening to bird sounds through iPlayer and I believe the second bird song I heard last week (see my previous post) was a blue tit.
There is still a long way to go but it has been a promising start. I will be back in a couple of weeks with an update and hope to post a few more new sounds.
