Life with a Cochlear Implant

Procrastination
Life with a Cochlear Implant Wish I was not a procrastinator but nobody's perfect. I have two courses to start and complete by Janaury....eek! I have started hunting driving instructors again and hoping  to try an automatic and see if my anxiety lessens.  Being on the road terrifies me all I think am I going to crash but I know with practice and more time I should be able tp achieve this time. ...
Mon, May 20 2013

News...
Life with a Cochlear Implant My Cochlear Implant is back to normal meaning I am used to the volume levels and it need adjusting since things are quiet again but NO fluctuations(touch wood)I quickly sent an email requesting another appointment and this is my reply..I’ve sent your request to Cochlear so I can check if there’s anything else we can do to improve the loudness. I’m not sure there...
Sat, May 18 2013

This week completely d r a g g e d. But I do love my...
Life with a Cochlear Implant This week completely d r a g g e d. But I do love my weekends. I get to watch films on netflix, go into town with my family, see my sister and watch Doctor Who! Series Finale is tonight and the Doctor's name will be revealed...  Oooh doctor who is one my highlights of the weekend :)We're in May and I still have not accomplished anything this year... Maybe this is my ...
Sat, May 18 2013

Wow I wish I was deaf.
Life with a Cochlear Implant True story. .. Tuesday's conversation between me and a new colleague She asked me if I was totally deaf, when I got my hearing aids etc. screaming kids playing around us made her ask. She said wow I wish I was deaf so I can turn my hearing aid off. Deafness isn't all fun and games at all, it's a constant struggle to hear, understand and to be understood. I never...
Sat, May 18 2013

When is time for a adjustment?
Life with a Cochlear Implant Calling all my CI buddies. How do you know when you need a volume adjustment/new map? I was only at the centre a few weeks ago and already now things sound too quiet for me. I am wondering if I do really need a change or shall I just get on with it? I don't know if it is actually me being arkward or what?
Mon, May 13 2013

Brinham Rocks
Life with a Cochlear Implant Today my friends and I made the hour and half journey to Brinham Rocks, Nidderdale which is near Harrogate. It was a good day out even though it rained most of the day. Basically the National Trust park is full of rocks like the above. There are rocks that have been named after what they look like, one was named the Dancing Bear, Idol, the frog, the eagle and gorilla...
Sat, May 11 2013

Doctors
Life with a Cochlear Implant went fine. He checked my bp and after persuasion he said I can stop my BP Medicine(blood pressure) and to come back for a recheck in three months time which means August. He thinks the Pill I take could be causing my sickness so I am off that for three months.I truely hope it is that, that is causing my sickness. I have had lots of time off recently which isn't good Â...
Tue, May 07 2013

Deaf Awareness Week 2013
Life with a Cochlear Implant This week is Deaf Awareness Week in Britain. What are you doing this week?I don't plan to do anything different, at work everybody is aware I am deaf/have a hearing loss. My CI is very visible since we have to have hair tied back. All my colleagues are aware that I won't hear them sometimes. One of my colleagues immediately knows when I havent't heard her she will say...
Mon, May 06 2013

Bank Holiday
Life with a Cochlear Implant It has been a nice relaxing May Bank Holiday weekend for us since we had no children till tonight! My family and I went for a meal and drinks then last night had a dvd night and before that, we went to Pizza Hut. I have had several lie in since I have barely been sleeping. So 10/11am lie ins have been fantastic and haven't been going to bed since 1am ish.Last night we...
Mon, May 06 2013

A week later
Life with a Cochlear Implant And hearing with my Cochlear Implant still sounds good! Everything sounds pret much the same but when people speak it seems there's a little more emphasis on when they talk so I can some of the time now tell when somebody is speaking in noisy environments. No sound fluctuations so far(touch wood)My mapping could be improved but I am going to give me at least six month...
Thu, May 02 2013

Interesting Article!
Life with a Cochlear Implant I wonder if it will be available for us Brits soon?Basically it uses X-rays to see where electrodes are and aids in mapping! [link]
Thu, Apr 25 2013

Appointment x a billion!
Life with a Cochlear Implant Slight exaggeration there but feels like it over the past 13 years haha! Today appointment was with Jill, Cochlear Rep and audiologist Deborah! I reported that my implant sounds have been fluctuating from day to day and they immediately got to work. It took about an hour. They really could not alter much but they tried their best but the FNS seems to be stopping any m...
Thu, Apr 25 2013

Went away for the weekend and came back with a broken...
Life with a Cochlear Implant Went away for the weekend and came back with a broken phone. Luckily I ame back early enough on Sunday to take it to phone shop and I got it back on tuesday :) I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. If anybody could recommend any good games / apps that would be fantastic! Over the weekend too, I managed to bump my head quite badly it gave me a headache but luckily it doesn'...
Fri, Apr 12 2013

Implant
Life with a Cochlear Implant All this week my cochlear implant keeps having quiet moments, things will go quieter than my normal volume for a while anything up to half an hour or an hour, havent exactly worked it out. Anyway it is bugging the hell out of me, its like my batteries need changing but they don't. Tried even blowing on my mic covers etc. i don't change my batteries because it always r...
Fri, Mar 29 2013

The past few weeks.
Life with a Cochlear Implant A week after I became ill, I got sick again and was throwing up. It took me a little over a week for my stomach to settle and to be able to eat without discomfort and pain. Luckily I recovered just before the three meals I was having in the three days before my 23rd birthday! Here's some photos of me, one me as a 8-9 months old before I was diagnosed as having severe/...
Fri, Mar 29 2013

It's Tuesday
Life with a Cochlear Implant and I'm still off work. Definately going back tomorrow!While I have had a lot of spare time I've been watching Youtube videos, reading blogs and etcWhat's your favourite youtube/blog page? Please send in your comments below or send them to melissascochlearimplant@yahoo.co.ukYou may or may not have noticed that I have just added a new picture at the right hand side of ...
Tue, Mar 12 2013

It's Monday
Life with a Cochlear Implant And I'm still at home, my stomach hasnt been feeling good all weekend and I barely slept. Got up this morning, got dressed etc walked down my street and got terrible nausea so turned round and went back home. I have two more hours to decide if I'm going in tomorrow(4pm) I am okay at the moment apart from extreme tiredness and not wanting to eat. I keep getting pains a...
Mon, Mar 11 2013

Confirmation
Life with a Cochlear Implant Thank you all for your supportive comments afthis morning's blog post! It helped me to make my decision, after a quick email and pending double confirmation from Cochlear my appointment is scheduled for April 25th at 12pm.I emailed an audiologist at Manchester to find out a little more about what they wanted to do and this was their replyThe aim of the appointment wou...
Thu, Mar 07 2013

To go or not to go
Life with a Cochlear Implant I received an Email from the audi that I saw last time I went which was at the end of January. A while ago I asked the CI team to increase my map/volume in hope I would hear things much better. Anyway they have been trying for ages now and due to facial stimulation in form of an eye twitch and neck twitching whilst hooked up to the computer they cannot go above the l...
Wed, Mar 06 2013

Neww
Life with a Cochlear Implant Yesterday I received a letter from my phone company saying I can upgrade for £50 so of courseI went into town and got my phone upgraded! :) I am the new owner of a brand new Samsung S3 Mini!!It is going to take me a while to get used to it since I had a Blackberry for 1 1/2 yes! I managed to get my phone on the same contract and price as the last contract!Even got a...
Sun, Mar 03 2013

More polls are now posted
Life with a Cochlear Implant They are now on the right hand side of my blog, some questions are just for fun. Please feel free to answer. I am leaving them open for a month to see if I get many answers!I am also looking into different hobbies as I would like to star a homebound hobby but no idea what to do, any of you have ideas please let me know below.
Wed, Feb 27 2013

New page
Life with a Cochlear Implant I have made a video which is basically introducing myself very briefly in British Sign Language. I basically say, hello my name is melissa i am 22 years old and I was born 12 weeks early. That is why im profoundly deaf in both ears. I was diagnosed at 9 months old, got hearing aids at 12 months and my implant at 10 1/2 years old. I chose myself to get the implant. Eve...
Sun, Feb 24 2013

Guest blogs
Life with a Cochlear Implant I am yet again looking for anybody whom wants to do a guest post on here as I find them really interesting plus you get to learn new things! If you wish to do one please email at melissascochlearimplant@yahoo.co.ukRules are it has to be on deafness and then you get free rein to tell your story!
Sun, Feb 24 2013

Youtube
Life with a Cochlear Implant I am of course not wearing my CI and I am in a voice off mode.
Sun, Feb 24 2013

This weekend
Life with a Cochlear Implant I have been on youtube watching all kind of videos from activations to anything at all in the world.I came across Leah Coleman, the daughter of the creator of Signing Time Rachel Coleman and I watched Leah's story. My story in a way is very similar but in different ways very different.Like Leah, I was almost a year old when I was diagnosed as deaf, I was 9 months ol...
Sat, Feb 23 2013

Going ons
Life with a Cochlear Implant Sorry cannot think of a better title. I am leaving for work soon. Anyway had an earmould impression a few weeks ago, new earmould arrived in less than a week :0 am thinking they have an earmould making service on site.My best friend, her girlfriend and their sons made a surprise visit to see m3, from 80 miles away! They were approx 15 miles away anyway and decided to ...
Fri, Feb 22 2013

More SNOW
Life with a Cochlear Implant We got some more snow again this morning and it snowed non stop all day! Of course, parents at work were rang to come and collect the children. I got out of whole three hours early :)That's twice in two months now!I ain't complaining, since I left work it's been raining not stop. Oh wellI haven't got anything else to report so I shall return in a month or so!
Wed, Feb 13 2013

Demons
Life with a Cochlear Implant My personal demons are making their way back into my life. In a normal world they are obsessions, some I cannot control..Usually with me, there is a period around this time of the year where I struggle but I manage to get over it in a month of two. Last year was bad but I coped pretty well. I was obsessing about everything, checking things were locked several times an...
Sun, Feb 03 2013

Yesterday
Life with a Cochlear Implant A friend and I tried out our new hiking boots and went on a walk! It was a cold but sunny day! We got up the Pike and back down in two hours although we did have a lunch break at the top! At the top of the Pike!  On our way up! We throughly enjoyed our morning out! We went at 10am and sure enough it was quiet :)
Sun, Feb 03 2013

Balance and Dizziness
Life with a Cochlear Implant A overseas good friend of mine and I have chatting, we facebook mail each other most days and she was asking what is my balance like and do I experience dizziness. I thought this is an interesting question and realised that actually my balance has gotten slightly worse over the past week. I do not normally experience any balance problems during the day unless I'm walk...
Mon, Jan 28 2013

Updates!
Life with a Cochlear Implant I went back to Manchester today and saw a different audiologist(no surprise there i never see the same person more than twice) good job my notes are always passed on! Anyway Cochlear recommended some more thing and they did not work, still not surprised ugh! So today's audiologist is going to have a chat with the co-ordinator of the adult team(who saw me last time) an...
Mon, Jan 28 2013

End of January
Life with a Cochlear Implant We're almost at the end of January and I haven't completed anything this month. I have goals to start to achieve over the next month or so and it will be long term. I have two home learning courses to start and to completed by next December.I fully intend to start my diet and posts if I have lost some each week. I weighed myself the other day at work, as in the staff ...
Mon, Jan 28 2013

An learning experience!
Life with a Cochlear Implant I was upstairs in preschool for most of this week. On Wednesday, I was supervising snack. Two very intelligent four year olds decided to ask me some questions. J spotted my cochlear implant and said "what's that thing on your ear?" I said it helps me to hear. If I take it off I cannot hear. C said "why?"I replied my ears don't work like yours does. Again C says why? I...
Sun, Jan 20 2013

Spoke too soon
Life with a Cochlear Implant Snow!!! I work around 8 miles from home and snowfall was getting pretty bad there so my boss dropped me near my home( she lives nearby) we both was shocked that hardly anymore snow has fallen. Our areas are pretty well known for bad weather(higher up more outside town centre) but anyway I got to finish work at 2pm rather than 6pm so I took the 2nd youngest foster kid ...
Fri, Jan 18 2013

From bimodal to one ear
Life with a Cochlear Implant While my hearing aid is broken, I haven't bothered emailing my local hospital,RBH and asking for a repair. With both I wore my CI for just 50 hrs in 7 days, 10 hours each day for 5 days. With CI alone I have it on 105 hours major difference! I will not go without sound unless its bedtime or shower timeSnow DID arrive but was all gone by end of work.
Mon, Jan 14 2013

Funnily enough
Life with a Cochlear Implant After my 2nd previous post(another opportunity missed) my hearing aidvhook snapped off. I have been hearing with the CI most of my waking hours on its own, have no choice and it's been fin. Sounds soft but can deal with it at the moment. Getting easier to pick up speech without lipreading.Heavy snow is supposed to hit Most of England this week, it's sunday afternoon a...
Sun, Jan 13 2013

8 years ago
Life with a Cochlear Implant Was the worst day of my life. As I woke up all these years ago I knew immediately as my grandmother gently shook me awake and stood there without a smile and just looked at me. I still remember that day as if it was yesterday and not eight years ago. My Dad had left this world and was now healthy in Heaven free from the cancer that riddled his body. Today his long ter...
Thu, Jan 10 2013

Another Opportunity Missed!
Life with a Cochlear Implant The Ear Foundation sent me a leaflet with all the adult days and there's one on the 9th february that I would have loved to attend! It would include hearing tests etc advice and stuff. I would have asked to do a hearing test on my HA and see if I should cease using it because I don't think I am using the implant to its fullest potential. I might do a weeks trial but I...
Tue, Jan 08 2013

Updates!
Life with a Cochlear Implant I emailed Manchester this morning regarding Cochlear, she said they havent heard from Cchlear but will be chasing it up!I am about to take on a lot, I'm signed up for distance home learning so I am doing two courses(home based with tutor email support if needed) I am doing Teaching Assistant level 2 AND Support Work in Schools. I am considering taking up driving again...
Mon, Jan 07 2013

Day 2 & 3
Life with a Cochlear Implant And im slacking already! Ugh! Well yesterday was the first time in a little over a week since I last had my processor on! Plus first time in 8 days being outside at 7.15am, anyway the world was LOUD, cars was loud(due to neglecting my CI) and even the wind! Didn't hear any birds- was still dark! For well over a year I have been suffering from random rashes/itchiness a...
Thu, Jan 03 2013

Personal Blog
Life with a Cochlear Implant I am turning this into more of a personal blog so if you would like to still read, please send me an email at melissascochlearimplant@yahoo.co.ukThanks!Hopefully see you soon!Closing date will be the 1st February!
Tue, Jan 01 2013

January the 1st 2013
Life with a Cochlear Implant Today it is January the 1st and I am thinking that I would liketo blog daily maybe a 365 project or something. Had a quick google and couldnt find anything so if anybody hears of one starting please let me know!The weather is quite warm it is 5c, not warm at all but not freezing cold. I wonder if we'll get any proper snow like we did last Jan/February!I return to work...
Tue, Jan 01 2013

Doing my own 365
Life with a Cochlear Implant I am going to upload a photo day of this year and it will be interesting to look back as the year goes on. I look miserable because I am. I return to work tomorrow after a nice long 7 day break! Truthfully needed it. I have had many lie ins past 10am and got up at the latest at 11am. I have been eating biscuits, chocolates etc and enjoyed it throughly. Plus our Christ...
Tue, Jan 01 2013

What did I do in 2012?
Life with a Cochlear Implant January- in Janaury I made resolutions for the year ahead...February- I joined the gym and went regularly until after my Race for Life!March- I passed my theory and turned 22 years old!April- I was travelling on holiday, Morocco, Lanzarote, etcMay- I finally hit 5,000 blog views!June- The twins left!July- I completed a 8 mile Midnight Memories Walk AND a 10K run/walk ...
Tue, Jan 01 2013

2013
Life with a Cochlear Implant A big welcome to the year of 2013Really hope this is an even better year than last years!
Tue, Jan 01 2013

Christmas!
Life with a Cochlear Implant It definitely did not feel like Christmas this year, maybe because it didn't snow. But anyway hoping next year will be better. Mum and I opened our gifts on Christmas Eve and we were both happy with them even though we don't expect anything. my favourite has to be my Ripleys Believe it or not book, I get one every year and the stories really interest me. Christmas was...
Fri, Dec 28 2012

How long to wait?
Life with a Cochlear Implant As some of you know I had my appointment at Manchester CI programme on the 29th November, Deborah the audiologist still hasn't gotten back to me. She said she would email me anyway if she had heard back from Cochlear or not. She still hasn't contacted me. Shall I wait another month or so and see if she does?Somedays I can tell when I need more power/ my implant side w...
Fri, Dec 28 2012

2013 goals/resolutions
Life with a Cochlear Implant This will be updated throughout the year and will get checked off when completed! just a little bit of fun!1. Read 5 books2. Get fit(again), am doing MMW and Race for Life again3. Get a tattoo4. New job5. Pay my holiday off(has to be done by Dec 2013)What are you goals/resolutions
Thu, Dec 27 2012

Kindle
Life with a Cochlear Implant Yesterday I discovered Kindle on IPad so I am looking for any book recommendations, I am open to any genre. I am also going to make it one of my aims for 2913 to at least read five books. Yu might think thats not a lot but I am not a reader, I get bored after first page.Anything is recommended.
Thu, Dec 27 2012

Hearing
Life with a Cochlear Implant In my spare time I like to spend my time in very reduced hearing with just my hearing aid. It is a major struggle understanding conversation but I do need to spend time in my own world if that is the word i am looking for. People have to accommodate me for a change, my mum has to finger spell/ repeat herself 20 times etc. my hearing with my hearing aid is okay- i hear...
Tue, Dec 25 2012