Life from Lake Lanier

[lifefromlakelanier]

Lydia Callis's "mesmerizing" work during Hurricane Sandy called attention to how facial and body movements are parts of grammar.

Some of us with Cochlear Implants also use sign language from time to time or more. This is a brief article about facial expressions and body postures that helped an interpreter sign things more animatedly and understandable.

When I am at church, the acoustics are so bad, that I watch the interpreter to follow what’s going on with the readings, the homily, etc. I know that doesn’t work for everyone, but it helps me. Any ideas for other solutions?

[lifefromlakelanier]

February 25, 2016 is Cochlear Implant Awareness day. There are some ideas for how to spark conversations and/or spread the word about implants listed in this very short article.

[deaflepuff]

Yes, I can lip read but it takes a lot of strength and energy to figure out your mouth formation. Lip reading isn’t even 30% accurate.

It’s “Did the person say mat or bat?” or if you figure out some words it’s “The __ __ into __ __ and ___ behind the ___ ___” guessing game. We...

[lifefromlakelanier]

Do you consider yourself deaf, Deaf, hard of hearing or something else entirely?

http://cochlearimplantonline.com/site/identity-how-do-i-identify-myself-2/

[lifefromlakelanier]

Most of the time, people around me are just happy they don't have to sign to me all the time now that I have the implant. Some of those same people will sometimes forget that they can sign to me in the event I don't understand them. This leads to frustration on everyone's part. They are upset because I can't understand them. I'm upset because I feel like it should be obvious - rephrase it, say it again, write it down, sign it - there are options available! Pick one. <end rant>

[lifefromlakelanier]

What was your recovery like?

[deaflepuff]

Whenever I ask someone to repeat they always say `Nevermind` which is like a swear word to the Deaf Community. We HATE that word, at least I do. No matter how many times I ask someone to

Please face me when speaking,

Repeat from this particular point on,

Rephrase the…

[lifefromlakelanier]

Software update available November 18. Devices available December 1st.

[lifefromlakelanier]

How things sound through a Cochlear Implant - at least one version

[lifefromlakelanier]

My first Audio book

The first audio book I've really listened to was Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs. It was by an author I've read before and in a series where I was already familiar with the characters and the kind of events that were likely to happen. It falls into a category called urban fantasy. It's easy to find more about the plot on goodreads.com or on amazon.com or ask ,me. 

The reader was good, clear voiced for the most part. What I did find I had trouble with was when she did accents for the characters from different areas. For example there was a fae blacksmith from Germany, and she gave him a thick German accent. I had trouble understanding what the character was saying. She was a little clearer with the character later in the book. 

Accents seem to give me a particular problem. The thicker the accent, the harder it is for me to understand someone. 

Do you find that to be the same for you?

[lifefromlakelanier]

10 month testing

So, March marked the 10th month since my implant was activated. I finally started using Angel Sounds. And I've been listening to my first audiobook on CD - taking it with me wherever I go.

They tested me for comprehension of speech and I scored 93%! I expected to score in the 80's. So, both me and the audiologist were kinda blown away. She says when she sees me for the one year mark she wants to test me with background noise and see how I do. And in the meantime, practice, practice, practice.

[lifefromlakelanier]

General misunderstanding problem, but Pooh seems to have a hearing problem. Not knot?

[lifefromlakelanier]

Hearing practice 2

I found out my library has something online called Tumble Books for different age groups up through high school and has a cloud reader. Some of the books are read along. So, yesterday I did my practice with one of those. It was about an hour and a half long. It was a young adult title called Hypnotized by Don Trembath. The reader spoke a little too fast for me, but I will keep trying. I know they're not all the same. Maybe I will try a real audiobook from the library. This one was entertaining, but maybe one read by more of an actor would be more comprehensible? What's been your experience with audiobooks?

[lifefromlakelanier]

Magnet stuck to the fridge the other night when I went to get something out of one of the drawers. Made me laugh. After the incident where it stuck to the umbrella, I hadn't thought of where else it might stick.

Where has yours suddenly come off your head and gotten stuck before?

[lifefromlakelanier]

Hearing practice

My audiologist suggested for one of my hearing practice activities to watch Jeopardy without the captioning on. She said that the answers are provided and you have to listen for the questions, even if you think you know what they are. Seems she got the idea from my father when he was traveling and needed to do listening practice back in the 80's and didn't have access to a whole lot of options while he was travelng. 

What do you do to practice listening?

[lifefromlakelanier]

Got the Nucleus 6 today. It was louder and clearer with the same program that I had on my Nucleus 5. Have a new program on it now and have to get used to it. The higher pitches are boosted more. But, so far so good. Loud and clear.

[lifefromlakelanier]

So has anyone gotten the Nucleus 6 yet? I'm supposed to get one in about 11 days. I will still have one Nucleus 5 though.