Bilateral Cochlear Implants - Easy Listening Niagara Falls

That title is a bit cryptic - EASY LISTENING NIAGARA FALLS - but that's the best way to describe a wonderful four-day vacation to that most scenic of locations, Niagara Falls.  I had been there are few times in my life, but this visit, for some reason, was especially wonderful.  And that "some reason" was simply better hearing.  Aside from being bilateral - which after four years has given me increased facility with casual conversations - I also had a new software upgrade put on my programs three months ago, called ClearVoice - which dims droning background noise.  Even though that software is geared to better hearing in noise, which it does, it also seems to result in better hearing in general.   And that means greater confidence in every situation, which means casual conversations in any environment.

Thinking back - I started a conversation with someone near the falls, which meant with the roar of the falls in the background.

And then we went on the Maid of the Mist, which is a boat ride that takes you right next to the falls. 

I made sure that I wouldn't get my cochlear implant processors wet - even though they're water resistant, I wanted to play it safe. Good thing, too - because I got drenched!  We were SO close to the waterfalls that I was being doused with spray. 

So I was experiencing sight, sound, and touch - incredible!

Everywhere we went, I found myself striking up casual conversations.  Like when we went on an aerial tram ride over the whirlpool down river from the falls.  It was hard not to strike up a conversation when you're on a cable car that looks like this (that's me looking up).

 

We visited the Botanical Gardens, which had a Butterfly Conservatory -

and I found myself talking with children, as we all marveled at this enchanted butterfly world.

We explored quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake.

It was all quite idyllic - and I came home with a wonderful feeling of joy - at the perfect weather, the majestic sights - but more than that.  I remembered the last time I had been to Niagara Falls years ago - and the impression I retained was the cloud of hearing loss - looking at the beautiful sights, but nothing more - no connection to the other tourists around me, or even to the nuances of sound.

This was different - sights and sounds - and easy listening.

Cochlear Implants: Book talks and more

I've been busy talking!  Book talking, that is.  I had three interesting book talks scheduled in the past few weeks - presentations to groups with hearing loss and beyond!

Let's start with the National Court Reporters Assn convention, held in Philadelphia last month.  I was asked to present on "The Basics of Hearing Loss and the Need for CART and Captioning Services."  I was really looking forward to doing this one, as court reporters are the wonderful folks who do realtime captioning (CART), something I desperately needed to function prior to getting my cochlear implants - and that I still use depending on the event and environment.  I had intended to speak and answer questions for an hour and then do a booksigning with the remaining 30 minutes.  But the discussions got so intense and meaningful, we overflowed to 90 minutes - and then continued with the booksigning in the hallway!  A few days later, I was delighted to see an NCRA member review of my session posted on the NCRA website - calling my session "beyond inspiring."  Made my day!

And then a few days later, I learned that one of the court reporters, who had attended my session, lent a copy of my book Listening Closely to one of her neighbors, whose daughters have Usher's Syndrome (deaf/blind).  Again, I was delighted to learn that the mother had written a blog about my books entitled "A special book and author"!  I wrote those books to help others, so it was such an incredible feeling to know that goal was being met once again.

The second book talk was at my temple's Book Club.  They had chosen my book, Listening Closely , to discuss.  I was looking forward to this discussion too - new territory for me - as I wanted to delve into the spiritual aspects of my book, not just cochlear implants as miracles, but the interesting circumstances that surrounded the events and writing of this book. We began with the title - that it refers to more than just hearing. Two hours later, we were still going strong, with many opinions and perspectives - but had to stop then because they had to close the building.  I'm looking forward to addressing other groups on this topic. After all, a device that allows the deaf to hear is a miracle - with much to discuss if you listen closely.

And the third book talk occurred yesterday, when I addressed the Morris County (NJ) chapter of the Hearing Loss Assn of America.  Since this group included people with hearing aids, cochlear implants, as well as spouses, I made sure to cover the entire landscape. And that is what is so incredible about my 40 years' experience with hearing loss - it encompasses:

• normal hearing
• a slow degenerative hearing loss that provided experience with all degrees of hearing loss - mild, moderate, severe, profound
• using a cochlear implant in one ear - vintage 1997
• enduring a device failure after 10 years
• understanding what sudden deafness is like - as a device failure plunged me from hearing into silence
• being reimplanted, and comparing and contrasting new technology to old
• using one CI was like having single-sided deafness
• the benefits of bilateral hearing with two CIs - particularly from the user's point of view, not just booth testing

With that as background, I mentioned why my blog is called ASK ARLENE, and why my Walk4Hearing team is also called ASK ARLENE !  And ask they did!  And I also did a booksigning - and I know those books will help others understand hearing loss and cochlear implants.

That's what's been keeping me busy - speaking and connecting with others - on hearing loss, cochlear implants, and beyond.

Bilateral Cochlear Implants: The Sounds of Sadness

Here's one topic I haven't seen discussed, yet I know it impacts virtually everyone with hearing loss: funerals and the related mourning rituals.  It's another one of those experiences that is particularly painful for those with hearing loss, yet is rarely talked about.  It's on my mind today because I attended two funerals in the past ten days.

In the years prior to getting my cochlear implants, funerals were particularly sad - as I would sit in respectful silence through prayers and eulogies, never understanding a word. It was as if I were engaged in an alternative service, one of quiet contemplation as I took in the visual aspects of the rituals.  I was having a totally different experience from everyone else.  It was sadness heaped upon sadness.

When I received my cochlear implants, that changed.  And now with bilateral cochlear implants, I felt truly connected to the people,  the proceedings, and the dignity of this human rite of passage.  I could hear the eulogies, I could greet people and provide comfort to them - the focus wasn't on me or my hearing loss.  I have to mention that there's one sound that still startles me when I hear it - the hollow thud of dirt hitting a coffin.  It's something I had never heard before getting my cochlear implants.


I know this subject may sound depressing, but there's a reason for these rituals and the grieving process - and as with other life events, they're deeply impacted by hearing loss.

Insider's Guide to Bilateral Cochlear Implants

I'm always delighted to share information about cochlear implants, particularly the benefits of bilateral cochlear implants.   Even though there's a lot of information in my books about the subject, an article or a blog can provide it in another format, and have the potential to reach even more people about this important topic.

I was delighted to write the following article for a cochlear implant help website www.cochlearimplantHELP.com

Here's the link to my guest blog entry "Bilateral Cochlear Implants - On Beyond the Testing Booth"
It's an insider's guide to the benefits of bilateral cochlear implants, that only someone who has experienced it can explain - which is why I call it "on beyond the testing booth"!

Please feel free to share, leave comments, and ask questions!

Cochlear Implant Realities - even in elevators

This week I attended the New Jersey Governor's Conference for Women, held in the Atlantic City Convention Center.  It was my third time attending this event, and I looked forward to it. The focus of this conference is to empower, with a full schedule of networking receptions, workshops and inspirational speakers.  With my bilateral cochlear implants, I'm much better equipped to "work a room" at the networking receptions - something impossible to do if you can't flit from one person to the next seamlessly and confidently.  I could also function quite well at the workshops, but used an assistive listening device at the huge plenary sessions in the cavernous convention hall with 1000 other women.

One of the workshops really struck a chord with me - "Creating Your Personal Elevator Pitch" - a how-to of making a good first impression in 30 to 60 seconds.  As the panel presenters gave their helpful tips, it dawned on me that all of them were making a big assumption - being able to hear.  I'm not shy at these events, so I jumped at the chance to explain to the packed room that "elevator speeches" had particular relevance for me.  I wrote about talking to people in elevators in my first book, Hear Again.  When my hearing was at the profound level, whenever I entered an elevator, I would hope that people wouldn't talk to me, simply because I wouldn't be able to understand them and respond.  I would actually avert my eyes away from the people in the elevator, as I tried to avoid communication - and embarrassment.  My cochlear implants changed that - with my first one bringing me back to communicating with people, and then my bilateral CIs, allowing me to connect to the people around me.  No "better side" anymore, and that, too, is empowering.

I felt obligated to bring my personal perspectives to the attention of that roomful of hearing people.  I'm sure they all probably take their normal hearing for granted, but perhaps I opened their eyes a bit.  I also described my books and advocacy - and got a round of applause.  As usual, someone came over to me after the session, asking for help in coping with her own hearing loss - a perfect example of networking and empowering.

Cochlear Implants Meet Motor Vehicles Bureaucracy

It would seem that a simple trip to the Motor Vehicles Bureau to renew a driver's license should be no big deal. With totally normal hearing, that would certainly be the case.  Just bring the proper forms, stand on this line and that line, take a photo, get the license and be on one's way.  With a hearing loss - no matter what the level or mode of communication - it is not quite that simple.  My recent experience - a trip to the Motor Vehicles Bureau to renew my driver's license - is a case in point.

Of course, now that I have bilateral cochlear implants, I'm much better equipped to handle a situation like this - certainly better than before. I could go there with some degree of confidence, but it was still a minefield of unknowns.

The adventure began with the renewal form.  In New Jersey, there's a box that asks if you have any physical condition, and a place to explain.  I had heard from other people that New Jersey was requiring some sort of letter from a hearing professional certifying that a person had a hearing loss, so that it could be indicated on the driver's license.  Hearing is not a requirement to drive, but I pondered whether I should check off "YES" to a physical condition. There was nothing about needing a letter - just that YES/NO question.  I checked off YES, and put "hearing loss" as the explanation.  I wanted to be totally honest, since the form required my signature attesting to its accuracy. And with that YES began the great unknown.  What would they do with that information?

My mind raced to previous experiences - like in New York many years ago, where they actually gave me a rudimentary hearing test right on the spot!  Or when I tried to get hearing loss indicated on my New Jersey license, but the woman looked at me and said I was hearing her fine. (I was lipreading most of what she said.)  So with that as background, and having that YES box checked, I was no longer like the hearing people standing on line with me.  I was not having the simple experience they were having.

I clutched my papers as I inched towards the reception desk.  When it was my turn, I watched the agent carefully as he went through my paperwork. This was the first challenge because these people look down at the papers, and talk to you at the same time - so no lipreading.  And I understood him - so there was no indication of hearing loss there.  He looked at my Passport, my Debit Card, my Driver's License. And then the Renewal License application card with that YES box checked - the longest moment of all.  No comment at all about it - just proceed to the next desk.  A sigh of relief, but on to the next trial.

At the next desk - again they checked all the papers - again they looked down as they spoke to me - again I understood what they were saying.  And again, they didn't do anything special about that YES box checked off.  Just follow the red line to the next station.  Another sigh of relief.

The next station was really a test of directionality - and I was hoping my bilateral cochlear implants were up to the task.  There were six agents with the line feeding from the middle - so three were to the left and three were to the right.  I would need to know which agent was calling out "NEXT".  I wasn't sure if I could do that - but sure enough, I heard something to my left, and saw a woman waving her hand to come over.  Again, they talked while looking down at the papers.  Did I want to keep the picture from my previous license - YES. How was I going to pay?  Swipe the credit card when I'm ready.  I followed all the instructions - and she handed me my new driver's license.   I did it!!

I looked at the back and it said "No Restrictions."  So, for all the doubt and worry, I came through fine.  I don't know what would have happened if I weren't able to hear well enough to get through this process without raising awareness about my hearing loss.  That's the unknown here.  But the reality still is that something as simple as renewing a driver's license is just not simple for anyone with a hearing loss - even if they can hear.

Cochlear Implants and Auditory Memory

My cochlear implant odyssey continues, and today the subject is auditory memory.  I have written about this before - in my book, Listening Closely: A Journey to Bilateral Hearing.  

Auditory memory can be defined as "the ability to process information presented orally, analyze it mentally and store it to be recalled later."  In Listening Closely, I described the most amazing occurrence when I had just gotten my new upgraded CI processor, which had better capacity to represent pitch and music.  I was playing a Chopin Nocturne, a piano piece I had originally played as a teenager - and rather than branch out to master new music, I preferred to play this familiar work over and over, just altering the tempo and phrasing. The moment I played it in a very slow and mournful way, my brain immediately informed me that was the way I had played it on the day President Kennedy was shot, 45 years before!  (I don't bother writing about things unless they are truly newsworthy!)  My brain was absolutely right - that was exactly the way an impressionable teenager coped with the enormous emotions that day, by playing a mournful rendition of that romantic piece. So much for my auditory memory - and the power of cochlear implant technology to replicate that piano sound so accurately as to trigger that long-buried memory!  If you'd like to find that passage in the book, it's on page 82, in the section entitled, of course, "The Persistence of Memory."

Fast forward to yesterday - and some of my new "toys."  I had just purchased Bose high quality "Quiet Comfort 15" headphones that had been recommended by some of my techie CI friends.  They would fit over the "t-mic" microphones of my CI processors, while providing the best sound quality available.  I had just gotten a brand new iPhone, too, so I could plug these headphones right into that device.  I wanted to do more music  listening and practice, to develop my listening skills even further - and also to listen to speech as well, also as practice.  

Here comes the fun part.  I was discussing all this with my husband, and showing him how the headphones would fit right over my t-mics, when I suddenly shouted out "CAP-TAIN VID-EO," with a robust intonation that I hadn't thought about in decades.  Readers of a certain age will know that Captain Video was a TV show in the early 1950's - so early, in fact, that I don't even remember watching it.  But I evidently did remember how the announcer pronounced the name of the show -  "CAP-TAIN VID-EO!" - with a certain rhythm and tonality.  Now that is auditory memory!  And for those who don't remember, or aren't old enough to know, Captain Video - listen to the beginning of this YouTube recording of the beginning of the show - and pay attention to how the announcer says "CAPTAIN VIDEO!"   

Click here to watch the beginning of the Captain Video Episode

The title at the beginning of the TV show

Now comes more fun stuff.  Here are two pictures of what Captain Video looked like, along with his Video Ranger:

Captain Video and his Video Ranger

And here's what I look like with my new Bose headphones, that triggered that auditory memory!

Bionic Arlene as Captain Video!

Now, you can really appreciate the impact of speech and hearing in children.  I was so young that I don't even remember watching this program, but the sound of that show evidently made an impression - and an auditory memory - over five decades ago.

And the interesting part is that Captain Video was all science fiction - but Bionic Arlene with her Bose headphones on her bilateral cochlear implant processors - allowing this deaf person to hear music in stereo - is most definitely science reality.