Surviving Bali

Well, I have returned from a week in Bali, already planning our next trip there I love it so much. We had lots of adventures but let me take you through the airport scene first. There was no scene, no drama, no body searches, no explaining the magnet in my skull, nothing! I turned off my CI, put it in my bag, walked through the security check, picked up my bag and put my CI back on. Steve got checked at both ends while I stood there, a bit miffed from the lack of security attention.

Once in Bali, I just had to remove the CI when swimming. Easy enough, I just didn't get my hair wet (wore it up under a hat, very acceptable in Bali) and put it back on after I got out of the pool.

We did spend one day at a water park so I just left the CI at the hotel and went deaf for the day. This was fine and it was good not to have to worry about it. When Steve and Ayden had an accident half way down a water slide and had to be taken off to have medical treatment it was a bit tricky as I didn't know what had happened or what was going on so I just went with it. Turned out OK in the end.



We also went mountain biking down a volcano and through the villages which was was awesome. The guide used hand signals to indicate to us to slow down, turn, stop etc so that was fine too. I wore a hat under my helmet to keep the magnet in place so no problems with it slipping off. The whole bike ride (2 1/2 hours) was a visual treat so I really enjoyed it.


All in all, I was with the family the whole time so they were my ears for the week. I told Ayden he had to be my ears and he said "I can't". I asked why not and he said "because I'm the wrong shape". That didn't stop him from explaining to everyone " my mum was deaf but then she had a cochlear implant and now she can hear again but not very well, OK". Bless him. x



Family Photo in Bali 2012

Six Months!

I have reached exactly six months since my cochlear implant was switched on. As a result, I had a six month mapping with my audi today. I have made huge 'hearing' improvements and can now hear quiet sounds as well as I can hear loud sounds. It's amazing to think that hearing with a cochlear changes over time.
I requested that my audi turn up the volume a bit more on the implant and this has been great. I hear myself a bit louder now so I speak a little more quietly  and everyone else is that little bit louder. While I still use the FM, I only need it for meetings of more than a few people whereas before I needed to use it for all meetings, even one-on-one.
The six months has also given the family a chance to fall into a deaf routine. We seem to have overcome most of our difficulties and the kids and husband have adjusted their expectations of me. We don't use sign as much but we have our common signs; please, thank you, shower, you're welcome, toilet, that we use all the time.
Other than the daily personal struggles that I face, everything is almost back to normal. x

Travel

My next deaf adventure is a trip overseas. Technically, a trip to Bali isn't overseas to Perth people, it's just up the road, but I still have to navigate the airport at both ends.
As a cochlear implant is an electronic device it needs to be turned off during take-off and landing. This doesn't bother me much as I have the family there and they will tap me if there is anything I need to pay attention to. It's walking through the security gates that will be interesting. I know I'm going to set them off and I'll have to produce my cochlear implant identification card and have a scan etc etc. I hate setting the security gates off as everyone looks and stares and you become 'suspicious'. I'm hoping that the customs guards recognise how hard it is to store drugs or weapons in your skull and let me through quickly. I will report on my return visit.

Wake Up!!

I've had gastro the last 24 hours and spent a large portion of yesterday sleeping it off. My youngest, as a result,  designed a new way of waking me up. Not wanting to touch me in case he caught my germs and knowing I don't have my "ear" on while sleeping he decided the best way to wake me up and get my attention (usually for something trivial) was to either blow in my face or drop a tissue on my face. Both methods had the desired effect and as a result continued throughout the day. It sounds like a nice way to be woken but let me assure you it's slightly unnerving having someone blow in your face while in deep sleep. Still, I was able to sleep for hours on end while the family made as much noise as they wanted. Feeling better today x

Music

One of the worst things about being deaf is not being able to hear the music my pre-teen is listening to .......................... one of the best things about being deaf is not being able to hear the music my pe-teen is listening to...........................................

So much happening in the land of the deaf!

It's been a while since I have posted, sorry. Deaf or not, life is full steam ahead, working full time and the kids/husband/house/dog. However something happened today that I just had to share.
My work have bought me an FM system. My audi calls it a glorified microphone. It comes in two pieces; the mircophone (looks like a remote control), and a small attachment for my cochlear. It is wireless and has bluetooth. I put the microphone on a table or in front of the person/people I'm wanting to hear and it sends their voice/s directly to my cochlear.
I tried it for the first time today in an all day meeting. The first time I turned it on I nearly fell off my chair! It was amazing! The sound is as if the person/people are standing right in front of me and it is crystal clear. For the first time in six months I heard nearly 100% of the meeting, despite the fact that we were in a big room sitting around a huge boardroom table.
At one stage during the meeting I excused myself and went to the bathroom two rooms away. This is the creepy bit, I could still hear the meeting going on two rooms away!! I had a brief thought that they might be able to hear me going to the toilet even though I know it only works one way. I then realised that I could leave it in an interview or something and listen to what they said about me once I had left the room. Food for thought, but for now, I'm going to take it everywhere I go, meetings, appointments, teaching, lunch break, conferences ....................... the world is my oyster once again. Yay!

What you need to know about deaf people ......

Actually, if you have been reading my posts you will already know but I'll list them anyway (this is my personal list and doesn't apply to all deaf people):

1. We need to see your face to "hear" you. We need visual cues even if we aren't lip reading.

2. We are really tired. Commuicating for deaf people takes double the effort than it does for a hearing person.

3. We have empathy for others with disabilities, who suffer pain and face difficulties but not so much for those who complain about minor upsets.

4. We can get a bit touchy. Deaf people need to connect with others just like everyone does so we use our others senses a bit more. Touch and sight are very important to us.

5. Deafness does not effect our cognitive processing. Our brains are fine thank you. Do not lower your expectations of us but don't expect the impossible.

6. We are offended by your frustration with us. Most deaf people don't choose to not hear what you say correctly. We know it's frustrating to have to repeat yourself but you need to learn to do this without showing it. The most offensive thing you can do is say "don't worry" and dismiss us when we don't hear you the first time.  x