It's taken me a day to get this down, yesterday was too
exhausting and emotional in equal measure.
Why exhausting? I hadn't really banked on my brain
reacting quite so powerfully to the new software, if felt like the mental
equivalent of a marathon, followed by 100 press-ups, the start of the
acclimatising process was surprisingly draining and by the end of the day I
just needed to sleep.
Why emotional? Well many reasons really, it's wasn't
emotional in the way the first switch on was - no, nothing like that at all.
The emotion really came from the continued gratitude that I have that I live in
a world where I have access to an option that gives me access to sound. Where
else could I walk into a hospital, receive such genuine care, support and
dedicated attention? The people at Glan Clwyd Hospital, yesterday, particularly Rhiannon was
brilliant, I could not have asked for better. Why else emotional? For the
kindness as ever, for friends. I know it's an odd concept for people to
understand, heck I don't 'get it' most days, but I am some humbled that it
doesn't seem to scare people off, they only send more kindness my way - believe
me I fold it up and store it away for my more wobbly days.
So what exactly happened yesterday?
Here's the quick guide!
I met with Rhiannon, my hearing scientist, and she took
me through my rather exciting suitcase of new gear, yes my teeny tiny implant
means a whole new kit! Yay! Cochlear (the manufacturer of my implant) had
decided to offer us recipients an additional upgrade gadget as a gift, I chose
a 'mini mike' so I can stream music.
Next, I was hooked up to the PC, and we did a quick check
all my electrodes were firing OK - check they were, all good.
Next job was to say a fond farewell to Ludwig, my old
processor who has served me well over the last five years, while my whole
hearing life was downloaded to Blodwen, my new hearing companion.
My new gadgets were then paired up with each other, this
means my remote control (yes I have a remote control for my head...) can
operate it, as well as mini mike - hope you are keeping up (can you understand
while I was exhausted now, lots of learning as well as hearing!)
Finally, I was all switched on, and I was good to go,
complete with my suitcase of new hearing gadgets.
Today, work has been an interesting experience - not
least because I thought it would be a good idea to squeeze in 6 meetings to 7.5
hours, because everything sounds so different. The main difference about my new
hearing set-up is that it has a 'scan' programme, which means the implant is
constantly looking for the most appropriate hearing programme - which means
quite a bit of autonomous change.
I've felt like a super spy today, I've heard people from
across the office who I wouldn't usually hear (without seeing them). Some people's
voices sound a lot more 'clipped', some voices deeper.
Music in the car has been a frustration, the new
processor has a sound compressor, which has meant no more loud volume, not sure
how this is going to work in two weeks time when I go to see AC/DC?!
So that's me, one day in.
I'm tired, elated, exhausted, happy - and looking forward
talking and listening more.
No comments:
Post a Comment