My Cochlear Implant - a journal

We are very good friends with a couple we enjoy going out with. However, the lady of the couple is a constant talker. It always seems to start off with a group discussion that gets interrupted when she wants to interject something. The men keep talking and she continues to elaborate on her point of view. It's so expected that it's almost comical. What's really hard for me is that she can talk to me and listen to the other conversation and interject in that too. My head feels like it needs to be on a swivel to keep up with it all. I do remind her/them that this is extremely stressful for me, along with being exhausting. Can we please just have one conversation?? Thankfully, we are good friends and they 'hear me', but it doesn't stop it from happening. Tuning out always feels unfriendly and disrespectful, but sometimes I cannot help it. I always use my accessory microphone, which works well for the most part, but this kind of situation is a big challenge. Just saying. 🙂 Anyone who has hearing loss will understand this, but others don't. It helps to talk about it. That's what we learn from others who get it, and why I've always loved SHHH/HLAA.

reply to bookysue about face masks and drive-up: Our bank has closed the ATM, which I was used to, and requires everyone to use the drive up. Fortunately (!) there are absolutely no masks for sale here, so not many people wear them, but, even so, it's a real challenge to hear at a drive-up window and understand. Face masks just up the ante!
Can any of us use the self-checkout places at supermarkets? I've tried a few times and just get totally frustrated because I can hear that a voice is telling me what to do, but can't decode the words. To this day, I don't know which side you're supposed to put your bag on to put things in after scanning them, so the whole thing breaks down and won't let me finish. I've gotten the same way when the phone rings: paralyzed because I fear I won't be able to hear well enough to avoid mega stupidity.

Rv life you lucky- trying to do small Van rv type - folks are stating no no to Wandering Sue because of my hearing loss; no sense of direction, good medical team hear at Penn- still want -

I do not have ci yet- and perhaps will never- my finances are bad. I am struggling with the aids I have ( 15 and 13 years old). I am not social so I can exist as I am. Still can hear somewhat with aids. I have asked AB and cochlear to help me - they cannot. Medicare only covers so much
Lucky critters are around and my books.

Same problem with self check. Never know where to put items- bag and all Wow.- figures because I am a lefty and abstract - - scary though- ATMs needs to be available That’s why I am struggling to get access to such because banks do drive though( food and bank- I could never do) -and lobby appointments

Bookysue, I have RV’d for 30 years off and on. I have been near deaf that whole time. I am a very loud advocate for myself and taught people to hear me. With GPS, directionality is no problem. A good way to RV is to join up with a caravan - either through a company dedicated to creating tours that you drive your little house around to and everything is totally arranged, or through an RVing group like RVing Women or RVillage. Good luck!

Thanks Lizzy. Awesome- glad to have this information thanks to you
Wandering Sue Deefie crew-ummmm

@bookysue I am new to the CI scene, I am not yet to the point where they are advised. I was under the impression that when you get to that point, insurance will pay for it? Is that not so, or do you not have insurance?
I rarely use self-checkout but the ones in the store that I most often frequent does not "talk" to you, the instructions are on the screen. I too would have a hard time understanding what was being said if they were like the ones you have used.

@lizzy102 How cool, that there are RV caravan groups. I think for women RVing alone that must be particularly great.
JK

Medicare cover 80 percent. I do not and never will have the 20 percent
Rv with a caravan is a great idea because as stated folks folks are nervous about being off alone as a wandering Sue Deefie

Thought I would add this note for those considering CI. When you first meet with your surgeon, take the hats you love to wear. Ask the surgeon to measure where to put the implant and assure you can wear your favorite hats. They may have different length implants which would allow them more leeway on where to situate the implant - and hence, where your processor will magnetically attach.
I LOVE listening to birds. Without my processor on, I cannot hear them at all and it is utter joy to hear them and look for them. I am not so good at locating them yet, will need more aural rehab to do that I think.
Stay well, folks, and breathe.