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..