A New Beginning

 I have decided to start blogging about my journey on what i am experiencing in life with a cochlear implant. It has only been two weeks since I have had my implant turned on but, I have discovered so much in that short of time. It is a journey that has taught me to have faith in god and be grateful for all I have. To appreciate all the small things that life has to offer.
  I can still remember what that day was like when they first turned on my implant. I was nervous and scared but, deep down inside I knew god had me in his care. If he got me this far he will help me get through the rest of this. The first sound I heard was a beep and it was the clearest beep i have heard! I was getting very excited to see what the next process was. Sure enough as all the mapping was done it was time to see what i could hear. When my audiologist ask me what i was hearing and to hear my response back to her was just amazing!! I never heard my voice so clear with all the different pitches. My hearing aids compressed sound so much that I was missing so much sound.  There are no words to really describe that moment it was just amazing and I felt so blessed to have received this gift.
  When I got to hear my children's voices after I had my implant turned on I just had tears of joy! I was able to recognize the differences in their voices not unlike my hearing aid that made them sound the same. I never realized how noisy it is to eat! The clatter of the silverware and the sound it makes when it touches the plate. I have also realized i am a noisy eater with the chewing of food and smacking of the lips! I had to get used to the new sounds the car was making. I never knew I had a safety feature on my van that beeped when my trunk was opening. I got to enjoy hearing the crackle and snaps the fireplace makes I just love hearing that!  The Harley still sounded as good as ever!!!! Nice to be able to put a helmet on without feedback I used to get from my hearing aid. Hearing music was very different on the radio than a cd or a live band. I am getting better with the radio as I have been practicing listening. I have been using Bon Jovi Wanted Dead or Alive lyrics and song to practice listening to the words and hearing the music. The band at my church sounds just amazing! Hearing the changes in the drums and figuring out what instrument is playing is all new to me. I still have challenges with it but, I love challenge just makes me try harder. So many new sounds in the world that I know!
  My cochlear implant does not give me normal hearing I will always be deaf. It is mechanical but, I have gotten used to that and it is not so noticeable anymore. It does give me a more enjoyable life and to hear the clarity of sounds in a lot of ranges. It is one of the best decisions that i ever made to get this implant done. I could not of done it without help from my family, friends and god. I am excited more than ever to go out into this world to explore and to see what god has in store for me!