Geez Whiz

I can't believe it is been this long since I post anything ... i will need to set a minimal goal for myself... *pondering* OK.. got it in my head..

long time, no blog

ahh been a while since i posted my blog. I guess the most interesting thing i had experienced with Ernie is during the 4th of july weekend. the weekend was one of the most enjoyable moments in which i was able to communicate with my family members about NASCAR and other topics without struggling to understand by lipreading alone. my family members said that they thought ernie really helps communication better. i am still learning and picking up new sounds everyday. I have not really practice the iPod activities lately. I need to commit myself to get back into practicing.

Guess What is that Noise!

I am getting used to Ernie and hearing new sounds. Makes me feel like a contestant on a new show - Guess What is that Noise! Too bad there is no consolation prizes... 

I have been using the Discrimination Activities (Listening Gym) from HearningJourney.com - I am using the Thumb Prints exercises - very nice with ipod. You can even do it yourself without a listening coach.  With Thumb prints - you listen to a word then choose the correct word out of 4 choices. At this point, I am able to get at least 80% on most of the exercises. I was able to discriminate the word when I see it - but not without the visual cue (yet).

1 month -post follow up

ahh...  ok last monday went back to Boystown for 1 month post follow up... added new programs to increase loudness and high pitch (increase the dB from 80 to about 30) to even up with my low and middle pitches..  also did some listening practice and setting up baseline. According to one of the listening program.. i am now on level 3 and it has level 1-4!  So with visual clues of words and sentences i am able to listen with 80% or better...  without visual clues..  20% or less..  so i am not too worry yet... just need to continue to practice and work at it...  also need to get used to Ernie while lip reading. 

comparing to 1st week of activation - i am now able to listen to the radio (music) without having to hear the normal road noises (air rushing by, tires humming, etc.)  windows down - thus my brain is continuing to separate the sounds and noises

Back to work...

Ahh... good to be back to work ..  the antibodies really helped...  still have little balance issue but not dizzy or nausea ... still working on distinction of words with different and same number of syllables...  improving each session..  

Culpable?

Finally got the dizziness taken care of. I believe the cause was sinus infection. The symptoms didnt show their face till after dizziness started. I had congested nose, sore throat, ear ache, then pus coming out of my eye - until the pus moment - i thought i was just having a bout with a common cold. so i went back to the DR and got Rx for antibodies and started to feel a whole lot better before christmas. Ahhhh!!!!

Vertigo continues

Today - i am working with a student not far from home... anna had to become my personal driver... still not yet 100% maybe not even 95%... 

I have tried to stay inactive in quiet room ... to putting on Ernie to maybe help stimulate the semicircular canals to restore my balance... hopefully time will tell..  Just don't like this feelings of helplessness... lack of balance is no joke.... makes lip reading harder ... let alone trying to comprehend situation at hand...

hopefully i will feel better sooner...