Fourth Mapping

I KNEW IT!!! Yesterday I had my fourth mapping. We arrived at hospital and waited for Steve to get us. Steve said I’ll need to take a hearing test again to see how I have progressed since one month. Before he started to do that, he asked me hot it went for me. I told him that plastic bag, water running, and umm that kind things were very annoying. I felt the high frequency was louder than low frequency. (It’s not normal because my low frequency is best area for me.) Steve was wondering about that and started to do tests. During the test, all I have to do is push the button when I hear the beeps.

After the test, Steve asked me the audiogram (above) and showed me the high frequency was BEST than low frequency! I knew it. In my mind, I feel that high frequency was louder and take over low frequency. Well, that was odd--because high frequency jumped to 20 dB while low frequency improved a little. So we went back to Steve’s office to try fix that problem for me.


Steve tried to adjust my processor to pull the low frequency and try to make it balance with high frequency. But he does not want to pull all to twenty because it might be too much for me to handle the loudness. So he only increase 5 dB and (I think) he decrease a little high frequency. He test me with the noise what he has in the office. I think it’s a bit better but not lot.

He sets two programs for me again, same idea as usually. That’s it for now. I admit nothing exciting about that appointment. However I knew he knows what he is doing with me and he is careful with me. He does not want overwhelm me with loudness. I don’t mind that, but I thought he would adjust the sounds.. I guess I’ll have to wait for that part until I accomplish that goal what he wanted from me. Remember he hoped that I would move up to 20-30 dB. Well, my high frequency did, but not for low frequency. Annie and Steve agreed that if high frequency did jumped to 20 dB as Steve wanted it to be then low frequency can go to 20 dB. It will takes awhile to accomplish this goal. We have no idea how long it would takes to be happen.

My next appointment will be in two months. Steve said I’ll have one appointment in two months, then three months. After that, it will become every six months after that for follow up.

We left the hospital and nothing exciting to listen anything new but just a bit loud than usually. I’m okay. Until next day, everything was ANNOYING! That high frequency still take over. I guess I’m hoping that my mind will realized that Steve has push low frequency up and trying to balance all equal. Well, low frequency did but need to get high frequency join together.

Of course, next day it gets better and still having problem with high frequency. :S

Oklahoma!

Oops, I did not mean to leave it empty for more than two weeks! My schedule became busy when I got back from Oklahoma. Eh.

I went Oklahoma to visit my sister. It was fun vacation because I had a great time to be with Missy (Dave too) and the kids. Surely I had advantage to watch the kids. All three have different personals. It was fun to watch how they behave, reaction, thinking, etc. It’s amazing how much they have grow up since they moved Oklahoma.

When I am typing about the kids, it made me miss them. St. Patrick was fun for all of us. We went to the city to see if there is anything interesting but it was all about beers and music. At least we had fun walking along the made river. Oh Missy and the kids dye their hair green.

Heehee, I chick out because I just had dyed my hair before I come visit Missy. I do not want to welcome green too much on my hair. But I did painted my nails green. It only stayed for about one and half day. I do not like paint my nails, sorry girls. We also made cool cupcakes. That was fun because Rachel cannot able to resist eat it while put frosting on the cupcakes and make cloves. No surprises for Nina and Grant as well.

Other day we went to the park. It seems lot of people have the same mind to go to the park because outside was very nice. The weather was perfect.

Again before I left, we had a pizza park. Dave took the kids to play with kites. That was fun but same time COLD. Yes, we had pizza outside while it's cold and windy. I admitted it was fun. Several times we had to chase to catch the kites when Grant or Nina accident let the kites go. Even Grant's kite got stuck in the tree. Dave had to get it. Clever Dave. Sighs, I missed them already.

Music Touched Me

Annie and I watched the movie called, “August Rush”. She has a friend at the work recommend her to watch that movie. So we put the listing on Netflix. We got it a few days ago. Today we finally able to watch it. I liked it very much especially end of the movie. That movie put a lot of sweat of excitement out of me. It’s funny because the movie is about the boy and music. I’m going not to spoil for you guys who haven’t watch it. I suggest you guys to watch this movie.

I promised I’ll go to the point why I brought the topic up on this page. At the end of the movie--the boy, August Rush, conduct the orchestra. The music sounds increased like turn the music up, but not loud. It made my body goosebumps a few times then about half way the music finally goes down slowly but not end yet. Somehow it sounds so peaceful and very lovely like JS’s First Prayer--bee humming and bird singing through the grove.. Its very calm feeling and my eyes were about to tear up. It’s about to come out of my eye balls, but not. Of course, it made my body hot and heart beats faster.

For first time, I realized I was caught up in the music with emotion! Somehow that made my mind and heart dancing slow and very relaxing. WOW!! I liked THAT feeling! I do not mean I’m READY for all music yet. The music just random for now. I’m still learning to listen and understand the music.. I’m excited for more music as drinking the water like feast the Christ word. :D I’ll put the music on this so you can listen....... Gosh, I listen this music again, and still it made me tear up!

An Explanation for Nicole

I wanted to put something on that page. I remember I did have some picture of Nicole. I know you will kill me for this. But it brought many good memories!! Oh gosh, I never forgot that day when we left for overnight hiking.. OH MY, it was FREEZING day even it’s in JULY! I couldn’t remember who but told us that we can sleep in after we got back from hiking. Thank you for being my wonderful friend, Nicole. :D I need to get Amy to read this so I can put another embarrassing picture of her. :D

Anyway, Nicole has some questions about mapping and programs and how it works. I’m going to explain some more for her since family have advantage while Nicole don’t have that, because I haven’t talked to her face to face.

I asked Annie to type... It’s complicated, so I will sign and Annie will type.

It’s kind of confusing with programs and mapping. Mapping means I have to go to the audiologist to set the stimulation of each channel of the cochlear implant. The way he sets it up becomes a map, which is also called a program. My cochlear implant processor (on my ear) can hold four programs. The first time I went for mapping, he asked me to tell him when sounds were comfortable, and he set that as my first program. He made programs 2, 3, and 4 exactly the same, except each a little louder. So I started on program 1 and worked my way up through the programs, one each day.

When I went for the second mapping, he asked me to try to balance the channels (each channel is a frequency band, some low, some mid, some high), so that they were all the same loudness. That became program 1. Again, programs 2, 3, and 4 were each a little louder. This time, I changed programs every two days.

At the third mapping, he just made it a little louder than the old program 4, and that became the new program 1. Then he set program 2 a little louder. He didn’t put anything on programs 3 and 4... Maybe I will reach the goal of 25-35 dB with program 2. Because I was almost there with program 4 from the second mapping (that’s the audiogram on my other post).

I hope that helps.

Voicing and Signing

I should ask Annie to write this one because she is the one who noticed that.

Laynie doesn’t use her voice as much when she signs!

I really noticed it when Bryndi and I sat in on Laynie’s class at McDaniel. Laynie typically tries to keep her voice off and not mouth English words while she is teaching ASL, and she is typically successful for about five minutes. But I think I did not hear a peep out of her for the whole 90-minute class!

I asked her about it, if she is trying to be quiet when she signs, and she said yes, because she hears herself.

Before you think that’s bad... It’s good. It means she’s self-monitoring at a basic level. She still uses her voice plenty at home.

Now it’s me, Laynie, not Annie. I thought it’s sort of funny.

Weird Feeling

After wearing cochlear implant for about three weeks, I haven’t take it down except go bed or take a shower. It’s amazing to see myself that I wore it ALL DAY. It’s completed different than my hearing aid. Before cochlear implant, I didn’t put hearing aid very much. I only use when I’m in mood or want to watch. Well, it’s not weird feelings yet. I’m still on the beam trying to think if I like cochlear implant or not. Frankly I’m HAPPY that I did get it because it’s much BETTER than my hearing aid for sure. I’m speaking about TODAY if I really enjoy wearing cochlear implant. I have no idea because I’m still LEARNING the sounds around me. Something I got used to it, same time some sounds made very annoying noise---THAT will takes awhile to get used to it!

A few days ago I was complaining to Annie that I wanted to get used to it NOW! I feel like it’s FOREVER to get used to it. Annie had to remind me that my cochlear implant was only three weeks old. Seriously, that comment surprised me. I felt like I had cochlear implant for many weeks!!!! My mind was telling me that I wore it more than five or six months. Haha.. Oh gosh, three weeks is still a baby step for my ear. Oh boy!

Last night I was ready to go bed. I took my cochlear implant off and jumped into my bed. Annie was in her bed. I started to talk and realized something is not normal. It’s very weird NOT to hear my voice nor Annie’s voice. It hits me that moment. I know it’s very strange because I must knew the feelings since I went through for many years. Why that night hits me?! I don’t know how to describe the feeling but I wish I could keep my cochlear implant on when I go bed!! Am I crazy or what? But I’m grateful that I don’t have to so I can sleep peaceful! Crazy, uh?

FYI: Today is Monday, last Tuesday night Annie reacted the same and told me that I should leave my cochlear implant on when I go bed because I didn’t response her voice or something.. Hahaha!!

A Package

This morning I wanted to make rolls for dinner tonight. I got things READY to make the rolls. I realized I don’t have enough eggs. I told Annie I cannot able to make rolls because not enough of eggs. I need ONE more egg!

Since outside was so nice and warm so Annie and I decided to go for a walk to the food store. The crappy food store is close to us. It’s good lame excuse for me to do our exercise for a egg. :D

I wanted to stop by the office before on our way to the store. Annie and I are moving to different building but same apartment. It’s complex and you do not want to know why, but it’s a good news for us. Anyway, I was curious if they can give us a few days extra so we can move our stuff into our new apartment, instead to do everything in one day. We talked with one person and she told us that we have a weekend to do it! YAY! It would be much easier for both of us. Before we leave the lobby, the woman said I have a package, Annie interpreted. I was confused because I haven’t order anything from the internet recently.

I signed up and got a small packet. We left the building and I looked at the box to see where the box comes from. I saw the date on the box it said October 11th. UH?! I showed it to Annie. We both curious what’s inside of that box! Suddenly I remember I did order that tool but it never showed up. I emailed the man what happened. He didn’t know what happened. I guess it must be lost forever.

I was about to buy another one but decided not to. OH DOGGIE! We walked to the store then back home. I opened the box to see what’s inside of the box. True enough, it was the tool I thought it was lost forever. Wow.. That was strange! I’m happy that I got that tool.

The problem is I need to think what would be a new project for me to do so I can use THAT tool! Dang. I don’t think it will happen soon because I’m wrapped in tight schedule with jobs and school. Blah.

Duet Piano

Bryndi, my dearest friend, came visit us for a weekend. Monday--we were planning to take Bryndi a tour to Washington D.C. but we got lot of snow. My work and Annie’s work were cancelled. UMM what would we want to do on that day? Ah, I knew Bryndi loves to listen Annie’s piano. So I asked Annie to play piano for me. Suddenly Bryndi put a big smile when both of us playing a duet song. I don’t think we really did a great job, eh. You can see why when you play this video. Bryndi took a little video while we tried to do our duet song. Oh I just watched this video and I can't help laugh watching this video! Okay, watch for my facial expression when I made mistake! Haha.