What does it sound like??

I think that is the one question EVERYONE asks! 😂 I have been trying to figure out how to make a FAQ’s page- let’s just say hearing isn’t my only impairment! LOL

Let’s start with the basics of why it works, and it will hopefully make more sense as to why. The cochlear implant is basically tiny wires threaded into the cochlea-(the snail thing in your ear that has tiny hairs that move by sound and turn that movement into electrical pulse your brain deciphers into sound). The processor (external part you can see) takes sound from a microphone, turns them into electrical pulses and sends them through the skin via a magnet and down the wires into the cochlea, stimulating it to send those pulses into the brain to be deciphered. That’s why I say I went from analog to digital-what you hear is actual sound waves-what I hear are sound waves turned into digital pulses across 22 different electrodes.

Enough tech talk-what does it really sound like? I’ve said before-everyone is robotic/synthesizer Zylon sounding. I am day five post activation of my bilateral (both sides) implant. I love the settings of the new ear-my own voice sounds deep, with a slight hint of robotics-kinda like Arnold in Terminator, just totally BA!! 😜LOL ( those that know me can stop laughing-I know I have a Mickey mouse voice, but a guy can live in the moment!) at first everything is “tinny” with a strange computerized overtone. But amazingly enough the brain is amazing and the longer I hear, the more natural it sounds. It takes time-it wears you out-I’m hearing things I never have, and it takes a lot of effort to figure it out. Yesterday was an amazing day- our high school hosted an Indoor Percussion event, and I was in charge of traffic flow and parking for 33 schools and had several fellow parents and kids to help. It was fantastic!! I was able to communicate with people with mask on!! To most that’s like so?? But to someone who has totally relied on lip reading for over a decade, it’s beyond comprehension. That said, today I’m just vegging!😜 LOL Totally worn out, mentally exhausted, but happy-it was a good day.

So why the picture of the deer? I love nature-it’s even better when it’s in you back yard! I have known forever that a doe when not spooked, but seeing something she’s not sure of will stomp a foot, and toss her head and grunt. Seen it so many times. But Friday, I HEARD it!!! I heard a deer from about 30 yards!!! It is off the hook!! I was sooooo excited! Ran into the house to tell my wife like a little kid, jumping up and down!! LOL. That’s why there is a picture of a deer. That represents what my wonderful Implant Team at IU has given me. and Thank God for my wonderful wife for putting up with it-it’s not been easy, but it gets better every day!