New sounds

It has been 6 days since activation.  It seems like it has been 2 weeks!  It has been quite an adjustment.  I have worn the cochlear implant everyday for as long as I can without taking it out.  The "clanging" and "ringing" sounds have been changed to "beeping" and "clicking" sounds, but with very loud muffled speech.  Speech sounds like "waah waah waahh," like the teacher from Charlie Brown.  I read somewhere that this is what it sounded like to someone who was activated, and I thought that was a perfect description of what I'm hearing.

I will have to be honest and say that I am very tired and worn out before each day is over.  My brain has been working overtime with all the new sounds.  Especially where there is a lot of talking.  I went to school on Thursday with my kids to meet their teachers.  There were people talking in the hallways and occasionally the intercom come would on...my head was spinning by the time we left the school.  I was wondering how I'm going to do when I go back to work on Tuesday.  I work as a teacher's aide at the same school my children go to.  My audiologist told me if it gets too uncomfortable or if it interferes with my job, I can just take it out for a while.  I absolutely love my job and I look forward to it!  But I don't want to get headaches or feel overwhelmed.  I would appreciate your prayers that I would adjust quickly to a noisy environment.

On a positive note, I am starting to hear certain sounds and understand some speech!  I first noticed the sound of crickets outside when I needed a break from the "clanging sounds" in the house.  At first I didn't know what it was, but then I remembered when Fred made a comment about how noisy the crickets were.  It dawned on me I was hearing crickets.  I was delighted to hear this new sound, even if it was annoying.  Haha!!

The next day I went to visit a teacher friend at her new school.  While she was showing me around the new building, I heard her flip flops clicking on the floor.  I heard wheels squeaking on a cart that someone was pushing.  Never heard that before!

That evening, I decided to take my hearing aid out of my left ear and just wear my CI for awhile.  Allan, my oldest son, started talking to me, and I realized that I could hear the different tones.  I couldn't hear the difference when I was first activated.  It's still very loud and muffled, with beeps and clicks, but at least I'm able to separate a few different tones!  I got excited and told Allan I could understand him a little bit.  He covered his mouth and said a few words...I was able to get a couple right!  Fred joined in on the fun and said a few words under his shirt.  I was so encouraged when I got some right.  I'm definitely taking some steps in progress- it's slow, but nonetheless it's progress!

While I was making lunch the other day, I heard a rapid clicking in the kitchen.  I couldn't figure out where it was coming from.  I said to Fred, "What IS that sound??"  He said it was the toaster oven.  It makes fast ticking sounds like a clock.  I had no idea it did that!  Ha.

I went to church today, and it was the first time hearing music since getting the CI.  It did not sound good.  It was very VERY loud.  And when the speaker used the microphone, it echoed in my head.  BUT...I was able to understand every word that he said!  Even with all the echo, beeps and clicking sounds.  I still had to read his lips, of course, but I didn't have to concentrate so hard! 

I so look forward to when speech is clear.  God is teaching me patience and perseverence.  I'll have to say, I feel closer to God then ever before.  I need Him to help me get through each day.  I need His strength, only the kind He can give.