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Cochlear Implants, hearing loss and more! I carry an interesting perspective: someone who had normal hearing growing up, lost it all slowly as an adult, then regained it with cochlear implants. So I'm deaf, but I can hear - a true miracle. If you'd like to know more about me and my bilateral cochlear implant experiences right away, my two books have a wealth of information - see the links below. Check out the list of upcoming events too - perhaps one day we'll get to meet!



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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Cochlear Implant Miracle: DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

This season, as usual, I was looking for holiday cards that were "special."  I had barely begun my search when this box of cards tumbled to the floor at my feet.  The box was a bit battered, but the cards were intact.  This was the only  box left, so I bought it.

Here's the front of the card:




And here's the message on the inside of the card:


I knew that "Do You Hear What I Hear" was a Christmas song, but I didn't know much about it, so I looked it up and found this:


It seems that the song was written during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, as a plea for peace.  For those too young to remember those days, the world was on the brink of nuclear war.  I remember my schoolmates thinking that we should protest at the United Nations (I lived in Manhattan at the time), but then realizing that they didn't want to spend what might be their last day on earth protesting. The world situation was that intense. 

The song gained popularity in the years that followed. 
So - the question remains:  Do you hear what I hear?

My hearing with bilateral cochlear implants is incredibly good.  But I don't really think that's what this question is about, not at this time of year.

I am deaf and I can hear the sounds of the world around me, connect with others, enjoy the music of the season, including my own voice chanting blessings. 

I hear the sound of a miracle. 


4 comments:

  1. Yes it is a beautiful miracle to be able to hear again and to understand what we are hearing. I finally went bilateral and having those wow moments that you mentioned Arlene. It is awesome. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
    MaryLou Mistretta

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  2. I agree...we are truly blessed to have bilateral implants...This was the first Christmas in 3 years that I was able to enjoy the Carols and actually pick out what they were!

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  3. As an acoustician with normal hearing, I can still appreciate what is missed, then regained to a great extent by you and your clients. I also have every bit if faith that more can be done in terms of audio frequency response and fidelity by technology and the efforts of practitioners such as you are. In my lifetime, I have witnessed the creation of the atomic bomb, the transistor, the laser, the internet, laser eye surgery, cataract removal and implants and now the cochlear implant. NONE were anticipated by the common Press and overt Savants. ALL have benefited society. Keep up the good work. The future is brighter than most realize.

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  4. Thank you for writing this. I know Kiersta will never hear what I hear; nonetheless I know she is hearing. Having 1 CI has proven that a child born with a hearing loss can learn listening and spoken language. Having 2, will just make her adventure even more richer. I will never be able to fully understand how she hears with her CI, but I am in awe that she can. ♥ 2 Ears are Better than 1

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