It's a Success...

It's now two weeks since I was switch-on with my new ear. These are the things I have been hearing...

Indian Mynah birds fighting on the neighbour's roof.

When someone talks to me from Facebook there's a quiet 'click' sound that alerts me to the fact they've messaged me on chat. I had no idea that it gave a sound at all.

Spider Solitaire - has the most wonderful sound when you move the cards. I can't stop playing it just to hear it.

You Tube - Susan Boyle. The implant still sounds a bit flat, but I know the song and could follow aong. I long for a more depth of sound, which I know will come over time. But it was nice to actually watch her vid when I had no sound, and then a week later when I did have sound. The difference was palpable!

You Tube - Sound of Music at Grand Central Station - Antwerp. Wow - to hear the music and and see the dancing as well. I've watched this 100 times already. Fortunately my friend showed me how to download it onto my HDD so I wouldn't use up all my internet alllowance!

The Cats - man - they're loud - have they always meowed this loud?

The Phone - am phoning lots of people and can even pick up the phone when it rings without breaking out in a sweat! I hadn't realised how nervous I had become of the phone in the last two years.

Skype - After much angst getting the microphone to work on my computer, I can now use skype and rang a friend I hadn't spoken to on the phone before. Talked for one hour without any difficulty at all.

Hired DVD - plugged my cable into my laptop and have been listening to movies with and without captions no problem at all.

Talking Books: - listening through my laptop a talking book. Can get about 90% without reading the book with it.

Just hearing the keyboard as I type is lovely.

I keep thinking there's something wrong with my car when I drive it - it's been so long since I've heard an engine, I'm not used to it - so I turn the implant off while driving to stop me wondering if the motor is about to fall out!

Talkback Radio - can follow along in the car and get 95% of what is happening, even those that phone in, where it's not as 'clear'!

Wow - I can't believe two years have gone by and I missed all these things so much. Most people would take all these for granted, but each new sound I hear gives me a thrill that I cannot explain.

I finally feel reconnected again. Long may this current cochlear implant live!