Inspiration from others!

This gorgeous lady is Michele who has not one, but two cochlear implants. She has had hers for years now and is an expert cochlear user. Like me, Michele lost her hearing suddenly but she didn't let it slow her down. She still works full time as a business coach, plays tennis, is a mum and wife, and a very busy socialite! Michele supported me when I first went deaf and took the time to talk to me about being implanted. It really made a difference talking to someone who had already been there and done that even though I had to lip-read her. Turns out she has an accent, didn't pick that up lip-reading!!!

Get your hearing checked

I was at an Australian Day BBQ with friends this afternoon and I was having a bit of trouble following the conversation. My husband turns to me after I've said pardon and says "I think your hearing is getting worse". Um, I would need to have hearing in the first place for it to get worse honey. I've been deaf nearly eighteen months but I still don't think my husband understands what profound deafness means. The cochlear implant gives the impression that my hearing is "fixed". Not quite.

Watching TV

While on holidays I like to watch a few movies. I don't watch TV but I will watch a movie every now and then, plugged in with my audio cord. This means I watch movies on my own which annoys the kids as they like to watch them with me. Last night I suggested that my eight year old and I watch The Lorax together. He had already seen it but I hadn't so we set it up, turned on the subtitles and got comfy. Eight year old then proceeded to interpret the whole movie for me including the noises. It was really funny. "Mum, he made a sad noise like this, sigh", "Mum, music is playing, that's why they are dancing", Mum, he is making a snoring sound"........... and on and on it went. I actually thought eight year old was rather considerate not wanting me to miss out on the subtle bits and pieces of a movie that help make meaning. Of course I couldn't hear the main dialogue over his interpretations!

A new year!!!

Happy New Year! I've just come back from another holiday in Bali (yes, I know but I do love Bali) and I'm all full of myself. I used my aqua ear and went for a swim in the pool ........... hearing! It was a bit strange at first, I kept thinking I'd left my watch on or something. Hearing and water just don't belong together in my world, but now they do! It is certainly not a glamorous affair with a big plastic bag hanging on the side of my head, covered by a black swim cap, covered by a hat, but the freedom of swimming with sound, oh the freedom, it was lovely.

Now it's back to reality at home. I'm trying to finish an assignment for uni before going back to work next week. I'm actually very lucky as I can just switch off (and I mean literally) and concentrate on my work. I really don't think I could research and write without being deaf, talk about a blessing. Only three more units to go and I'll have my Masters. After that I'm going to have a year off and start my PhD. I can just imagine myself happily writing away on my thesis as chaos surrounds me, I might move to Bali to do it ...................................