2 Week Update

Well it has been two weeks since my Cochlear Implant was activated.  It seems like longer than that!  I have had ups and downs, but I'm hanging in there!!
I am still hearing new sounds I've never heard, and each time I find out what I'm hearing, it's exciting!  Noises such as hearing keys jiggling in the hand of someone walking in front of me and birds chirping in the morning as I walk from my car to the school.
Last Monday night I read Fred's lips while he prayed for our kids, and it dawned on me I was hearing the "s" sound in his words.  They were so loud and clear.  Before, I could never hear that sound because it was so high-pitched.  I have always struggled with this sound because I could never hear it, but could only see the lips moving.  I couldn't believe I was hearing this sound, and it's SO loud!!  I decided to try making the "s" sound, and I could hear myself making the sound once I got it right!!!  It was no wonder people thought I was talking with food in my mouth (those who didn't know I was hard of hearing), or if I was from another country.  Ha!!
I was so excited, I got on Skype to tell my parents about it.  They were so thrilled with me because they know how I have struggled with this all my life.  They told me to say several words that have "s" in them.  The name "Jesus" is one of them.  After a few tries, I was able to perfect it!  I was sure that Jesus was smiling at my attempts!
I won't be going around emphasizing the "s" in my words because I still have to practice until it flows smoothly.  Right now it would sound like I'm trying to learn English, saying words slow and with lots of concentration.  Also, it's hard for me to hear this sound with a lot of background noise.

Thank you to those who prayed for me as I went back to work at school last week!  It has gone a lot better than I expected, even with all the loud sounds.  I think my brain is starting to adjust to the different sounds a little bit.  There are so many sounds at school.  So many students talking and laughing, footsteps, doors closing, humming and beeping of different electronics.  I have a hard time knowing what I'm hearing at times, but that's ok.  My brain is still adjusting.
By the end of the week, I was emotionally and mentally drained.  I went to bed early on Friday night, took a long nap on Saturday and went to bed early again on Saturday night.  I felt much better on Sunday.

The ringing and clicking noises are still there periodically, but now I'm noticing high feedback sounds like my old hearing aid would make.  My CI does not make any sounds.  My brain is still working out the kinks.  This feedback sound is very very annoying.  I used to dislike this sound when I wore hearing aids that had feedback problems whenever I smiled or hugged someone.  Hopefully this won't last too long.

Speech is still unclear.  People still sound like "waa waa" when they talk.  I still need to be patient and hope that this will pass soon.  Wearing a hearing aid in my other ear helps balance out the sounds of peoples' voices.

I have my 3rd mapping appointment this Friday at the Mayo Clinic.  My audiologist will make some adjustments and hopefully she will notice some improvement in my hearing test.  I will post an update after this appointment.