Feedback from Others....

On the long weekend in May, Raymond and I went to the deaf bowling tournament as fans in Halifax, NS, where we had the greatest opportunity to meet four wonderful people who had the CI. For me, it was just awesome just to chat with them and hearing about their experiences. It was a great opportunity for me to ask them alot of questions. It left me feeling satisfied and answered a few of my unanswered questions. All of them had different experiences, so it is a reality that the CI works differently for everybody. That is what the doctor wanted me to have that picture in my mind, and not to expect to hear as well as Raymond does.

After doing talking with them, I think it is really important for CI users to meet people who will have the CI surgery - this is SO much better than reading CI materials, etc. By talking to them, you are hearing real life stories. Thus, another reason why I am doing this blog. It is honest and has no hidden agendas.

If my CI surgery turns out not to be successful as I had expected it to be, I will be honest and tell you in this blog.

If you are going for the CI surgery, try to grab that opportunity to meet other CI users. Ask your audiologist if she/he has a list of people you could meet. My audiologist, Cathy, has already asked me and Raymond if others could contact us and we gladly told her that she could.

If there is a CI support group in your community, join it! It is the best place to receive the good and bad feedback. This will help you to make your decision to have the surgery or not. Try not to listen to all the negativity too much, as everybody receive different results from their surgery. It is based on their hearing skills growing up, etc., and also it is based on how your brain will receive it...so nobody is the same, I stress that importance.

As well, speaking to CI users, you may get some ideas that you have never thought of before. Like for example, one person didn't know that it is good to obtain a children's book with a CD - a "read-a-long" book for you to listen to and practice your listening skills. It is good to share best practices with each other.

Most important of all, if you are involved with the deaf community, try not to listen to their negativity as well. Ignore it and put it aside, as it is YOUR life, not theirs. Some deaf people will try to stop you from having the CI surgery. Some will make some comments to you, some will say you are no longer a part of the deaf community as you will not be deaf anymore. It is sad to hear this. Some deaf will give you great support, and congratulate you. Please don't be afraid of them. It is your life and your hearing. You heard well before and you are losing what you already have, so it is natural for you to want to hear like you did in the past, or maybe even better than before. You enjoy hearing things and you miss these sounds. Some deaf people don't understand this because they have never "heard" before. Hard of hearing people do understand.

One thing I can tell you, is we will never lose our identity. Raymond and I think of ourselves as deaf and hard of hearing, and that will always remain. The CI only helps us to hear a bit better than before, that's all, it does not change us into a hearing person.

For those who are new CI users, you might end up having people - friends or family - sneak up behind you and "test" you by calling your name or whatnot and then they go around telling everybody the "CI is not working at all, it is a piece of sh*t" or whatever they say. This is not fair and it is considered rude. That's just my opinion, it is rude! If it is in a crowd, naturally, we will NOT hear you...we might hear something, but not know what it is immediately. It is the same for hearing people too, and I am sure some of you will agree. We all have the tendency to tune out things and focus on what we are doing. And if it is in a quiet setting, then we will hear you, however, we might not respond to you right away. The CI does not make us into a 100% hearing person!! Would be nice, but unfortunately not.

People need to understand that CI is a tool, the same as hearing aids are a tool. They are only objects to help us to hear better, to improve the quality of our life. Same as glasses....how would you feel if I told you that you don't need glasses. You would have a fit saying that you need glasses to see things. It is the same with the cochlear implant.

How's that for the "thought" of the day for you :)