3rd Aided Hearing Test

December 18, 2008
PGH - Ear Unit



My hearing level is now included on the SPEECH BANANA.. yey! That means I can really really hear already and it'll be clearer very soon.. I also need to practice reading aloud so that my brain would be familiarized with the sounds of every word..

SPEECH BANANA

My level of hearing on my audiogram has already reached the SPEECH BANANA! My hearing have improved and soon I would already understand sounds.. My audiologist, Ms. Kaye advised me to practice by reading aloud so my ear/brain would be familiarize with words.. It's a good thing I have Twilight Saga audiobooks.. Hahaha! :P

Edward. Edward. Edward. ♥ ♥ ♥

I watched Twilight yesterday and I heard these some of these scenes:
Meadow scene - when Edward was throwing the trees..
Baseball scene
Ballet studio scene
and the background music playing inside the cinema while we're inside the CR..


Since my 'Remote Battery Pack' is broken(?), Med-El will replace it on Friday.. I'm currently using my 'behind-the-ear battery pack' for my CI and the battery's watt I'm using for this is kinda low that's why I can only hear loud sounds right now..

Hearing..

Sorry for updating just now.. I'm so lazy.. Talaga!

Here's my hearing improvement so far:

- I'm already familiar with Michelle's (my cousin & one of my oldest longest bestest closet friend) voice but not the same as how I'm already familiar with my mom's voice.. Basta, I'm kinda familiar with her voice na since she's my ka-chismisan everyday.. Ayun, my brain knows her voice na.. Haha!

- I know if the sound is low or high pitch, soft or loud, long or short..

- I can define near and far sound.. I can tell which is which as long their difference is distance..


I'm often asked: 'Can you hear already?'
yes, I can hear already.. I can't understand what I'm hearing though.. I'm just hearing sounds (probably noise for you).. Hehe.

I know my mom's.. voice

my brain already recognizes my mom's voice, i think..

This morning, my NFF (New Found Friend) Armin paid me a visit.. While he was chatting with my mom, I kept on turning sideways since I'm on a computer chair, then I look down so that I won't see who's talking.. So I was playing guessing game.. 'maybe my mom is talking', then I'll look at them and I'm correct! I looked away again but my mom is so talkative! The sound I'm hearing is still the same.. Then there was a change in the sound.. 'maybe Armin finally talked', and he is talking when I raised my head.. I don't recognize his voice but I'm already familiar with the tone of my mom's voice.. We tried it again this afternoon, this time with Janna.. It wasn't 100% successful since the tv is distracting.. But yes, I think I recognize her voice already.. I still can't understand though.. soon.

"KAT!"

Did someone called my name?

Eavesdropping

My mom and JayJay were talking while I was busy eating my lunch.. I'm busy. I'm eating. Besides, I think I already know what they're talking about.. Of course I heard everything, but I didn't understand though.. Then hurriedly swallowed the food in my mouth so that I could speak..

tacK: sinabi mo ba 'Ooooo' kani-kanina?

Ha! I got it right! I heard it right! I was eavesdropping.. Haha!

Not too Loud

My head was hurting a bit this afternoon.. It felt like there was a needle pricking me slowly.. It's tolerable, so I just ignored it.. Then my mom told me that she's so pissed with our neighbor because they're so noisy.. As in NOISY like screaming, cursing and playing LOUD irritating music.. Then I said: "Kaya siguro" Ayun! My brain was shocked with too loud irritating noise since my brain is still adapting to the sound of the environment.. Na-shock siya! Of course I'm so OK now.. I could hear the thunder and it looks like the rain won't stop soon.. That means, I can't go out tonight! Argh! I was supposed to go out with Lea & Pau.. Hay!

There's a storm

I heard that!

photo from:
http://www.lathamstudios.com/rebeccasblog/blog/wp-content/images/NationalParkThunderstorm.jpg

Aided Hearing Test Part Two

September 19, 2008
EAR Unit, PGH
Before my CI Mapping, I had another aided hearing test.. The sound is not as loud as the 1st one.. It's more mahinhin but i heard it! And so I PASSED! With flying colors!

Cochlear Implant.. Success!

Here's the copy of my progress report which Ms, Kaye emailed to Dr. Brackman few weeks ago..

9 August 2008

Dear Dr. Brackmann,

Greetings!

I am writing to inform you of the performance of Maria Katrina “Kcat” Yarza on our mapping sessions. Kcat was implanted on April 8, 2008 at the Manila Doctors Hospital under the hands of Dr. Charlotte Chiong and after 6 weeks of waiting for the lesion to be completely healed, Kcat was ready to be activated in a procedure called “switch-on”. Switch-on of the implant was done at Ear Unit last May 16, 2008. Telemetry report at switch-on was within normal levels, mapping was done and no adverse reaction to implant function was noted. Since switch-on, telemetry results remained constant within normal levels.

Kcat's map has been relatively stable since June. Her current MCL levels as per her last mapping were set at approximately 120 to 130 cu and Aided Test done last August 14, 2008 showed 40/ 65/ 75/ 80/ 95/ across frequencies.

Relying on objective measurements, it was noted that very little change occurred over the past 2 months and MCL levels have consistently fell within the range of 120- 130cu. This range is relatively high compared to other settings but considering the special case of Kcat, since we cannot observe significant difference in a minimum level, we want to see the benefit she would get in a maximum level the implant could give.

In view of the above, we are currently working on her ability to discriminate and fully understand speech. Since switch-on, humming sound is consistently occurring but as mapping goes on, she can now detect low or high pitched sounds, identify environmental sounds, can repeat low pitched consonant-vowel sound like /ba/, identify male vs. female voice and by hearing these sounds it helps Kcat to locate where the sound is coming from and aids her in Lip Reading.


Best Regards,

Karen Ruth O. Lacanilao, MclAud

----
my mom emailed Dr. Brackman as well is here's his reply:

Dear Madge:

Thank you for the progress report on Maria Kathrina. I do hope that she will benefit from her implant. Please do keep me informed of her progress.

Sincerely yours,

Derald E. Brackmann, M.D.

So, who wants a cheeseburger?! Haha!

Sound. Sound. Sound.

I think the sounds I'm hearing is a bit clearer.. but it's still not clear.. Labo.. Basta sounds.. I hear every sound.. If it's noisy, it's noisy.. If it's silent, it's silent.. Ganon.. We always play 'name that word'.. I don't get most of the words right but my answer is not far from the real answer.. Example: the word is 'masaya'; my answer would be 'maya' Basta ganon.. Though there are times I get the whole word correct.. You should give me a cheeseburger for that.. Haha!

Btw, I changed I my template because because my previous template with the cat design had a bug.. I cannot login to this blog.. I'll also make a header.. I'm still lazy.. :P Ayun.. Plus I also put an entrecard widget on the sidebar.. Trip lang.. There..

Wait, wanna know my favorite sound? It's whenever I place my glass on the table.. Haha! La lang.. Aliw lang ako.. Uhmm.. Coz it has a sound! Haha! :P

ITO is the right spelling of 'eto'

After brushing my teeth..

tacK: tapos na!

My mom was still fixing something in the kitchen so I decided to just practice and played with my voice and hearing..

tacK: ta-pos-na.. ta.. pos.. na..

Then my mom came with my water for gargling then she talked behind my ear..

Mami: eto na..
tacK: it?
Mami: eto
tacK: under 'i' dapat yun.. (ito is the real spelling haha! :P)

Basically those are the kind of speech sounds I'm currently hearing.. I still don't hear the exact word.. I just get a part of it.. It's tone.. Number of syllables.. It's not clear yet.. but I'm already so happy with it.. Soon, I'll be able to hear clearer.. always in God's time!

Syllable

I asked my mom what's for merienda.. Then she talked behind my ear/CI..

Mami: kamote.. kamote..
tacK: a?!

Then after a few minutes, she said it again..

Mami: kamote.. kamote..
tacK: e?!

Next scene..
While I was busy in front of the computer, my dad talked behind ear..

Dadi: Pangit ka..
tacK: pa?! pe?! basta p..

'BA'

..was the first syllable I understand!

Yes! I heard and understand it..

08/16/08
12:05am

Aided Hearing Test

August 15, 2008
EAR Unit, PGH

Everything has a sound

I'm so thirsty, of course I got my water and drunk it.. Then I put it down on the table..
*tuk*

My cellphone is in front of the monitor, on the computer table then suddenly someone texted, it vibrated..
*bzz* *bzz*

There is a tissue in front of me right now, my mom got it and then returned it back..
*blag* (yes, even tissue has a sound)

I was fixing the position of the keyboard.. Then every move I make..
*chuk* *chuk*


The sounds I hear are not really clear yet, but everything has a sound already.. yeah! In regards with hearing speech, I still can't understand it at all but at least I could hear it.. I just know if you're talking, but I don't know what you're talking about..

Drumroll (I would hear that)

I haven't been updating this blog.. been busy.. but been lazier to blog.. :P i had a lot of good news to share, but I forgot it already.. Haha! Because I have a MORE MORE MORE GREAT NEWS..

*drumroll*

My CI is not delayed anymore..

*drumroll*

and I could hear every sound.. woohoo!

It's still not yet clear though..

I could already hear the world and soon I'll be able to hear the world clearly..

5th

It's my 5th Mapping later (at 1pm) plus check-up with Dra. Chiong..

Super Incredible Hulk

from underkcat.blogspot.com:

Talitha, Maro & me went to Greenhills Promenade last Saturday to watch The Incredible Hulk.. I didn't heard it.. Not totally though.. I heard feedback sounds ever.. But, but, but, I also heard real sounds.. As in REAL kinda-CLEAR SOUND! It's non other than the sound effects from the fighting scenes which is a lot.. And I love every sound of it.. There is a scene where the sound from the gamma is quite loud and annoying (?) according to Talitha.. But I enjoyed that sound.. Haha. Plus! Plus! Plus!

I love Liv Tyler's lips na.. Because I understand most of her dialogue.. I could read her lips.. Galing!

All in all, I know I understand the whole story and Aylabit! Another plus.. [...]

I feel like Cinderella

I already had my 4th tuning last week with Ms. Kaye, unfortunately my CI run out of battery plus Maro was so noisy and mischievous ever.. So Ms. Kaye got mixed up and she mistakenly un-programmed (if there's such a word) the progran.. So I returned to the Ear Unit the next day coz Dra. Rina was there.. She explained to us what and why I'm hearing the feedback sound.. Yes, my brain is really adapting to the sounds of the environment (the noise of the world)..

Anyway, I had I dream yesterday.. My CI can already hear clear.. Soft but clear.. It was a happy dream.. I was happy.. It seem so real.. Then I woke up.. I touched my ear, no CI.. Ay, it's only a dream! I went back to sleep hoping my dream would continue.. Haha! Unfortunately, it's a different dream..

It's ok, my dream is coming true.. :)

Slowly but surely

It was my 3rd tuning/mapping last Friday.. I still can't hear clearly.. Maybe it's because I have different case.. We're still not sure.. Ms. Kaye will talk to Dra. Chiong regrding my case.. There was an improvement though.. The sound/noise is louder than usual.. Yes, it improves every time it's being adjusted..

I'll be out with my fam this week.. We'll be staying at Manila Pvilion (coz it's Independence day.. haha!) I wont be able to update.. When I get back, I'll write about the sounds I heard over the week.. You might want to visit me during our stay there.. Just don't forget to bring me food.. Kidding! :P

When Fr. Faller Snapped

It's the 1st Wednesday of the month today and as always we (my mom & I ) attended the Healing Mass of Fr. Faller at Megamall this afternoon.. Plus my fan friend, Dex plus Talitha & Maro (the 2 didn't hear mass though)

I consider Fr. Faller as one of the many many reasons why I can hear and will hear clearly soon.. I've been attending his Healing Masses for more than a year now and I think he was the one who endorsed me to God.. Just like asking funds for PCSO.. Haha! My imagination is playing again.. Haha! I'll blog about it one of these days..

Before he touched and prayed for me, I was praying: "Lord, make a miracle so that a lot of people may witness that would strengthen their faith" Actually, that's what I always pray.. ;)

I was the last among the disabled(?) or people on wheels since we came late.. Late. What's new? Haha! He even almost forgot to pray for me. Lord ha, suspense effect pa! Haha! While he was touching my hears and praying for me, I'm hearing a buzzing buzzing feedback sound.. But where did that sound came from? From his words? I dunno. Maybe. Then he snapped his fingers on my left ear twice and I heard it. Not the actual sound of it though. But it isn't delayed. I was really surprised because it's loud (but moderate) and it isn't delayed. The sound I'm been hearing are 3-5 seconds delayed.. I kept on saying: "I heard that, Promise!" Then after leaving the Megatrade Hall, I tried snapping my fingers beside my left ear,and the feedback sound is still delayed and not to loud.. We'll see on my next mapping on Friday..

Music in the car (or van)

On our way home from Bulacan (coz it's Lyrics Christening)
(This was of course said in tagalog but I translated it in english)

tack: Is the music fast?
michelle: yes.
tack: like this? tan-tan-tin-tan..
michelle: yup!

after a few minutes

tack: the sound I'm hearing is so weird. tun-tan(pause)tun-tan(pause)tun-tam..
michelle: that's the music

after a few minutes again..

tack: is the music slow?
michelle: yes!

Yes I'm really heard music.. Feedback+sound.. A very soft sound.. I think I'm hearing it because we're in a closed space.. I think. The feedback sound is still there plus the sound..

Music in my CI

It's the 2nd tuning of my CI tomorrow.. I'm so excited to hear more noise (of the world).. Ha! I'm always excited.. Anyway, I'm still hearing the same buzzing sound over and over coz the world is so noisy.. Haha! It becomes louder and it changes beat from time to time.. Depending on what the sound is.. Last night, Kayze drop by our house while she's listening to her mp3.. I showed her my CI Speech Processor Battery Pack that I'm currently wearing. I was pretending that it's also an mp3 player coz it looks like i'm just wearing an earphone. I kept on nodding my head, pretending to hear music.. Haha! Adik! :P Then Kayze put the earphone on my ear. But of coure I won't hear anything. So she place it behind the magnet of my speech processor. Yes! I could hear tugutuk-tuk. It was even attacted by the magnet and kept on sticking. :)


*photo from Med-el

Bzt-Bzt-Bzt-Bzt-Bzt-Bzt

That's the sound I'm hearing right now.. And it's non other than the electric fan beside me..

I was kinda disappointed this afternoon because I thought I'll be wearing my CI while MAY Birthday was on-going.. Then when I placed the speech processor on my ear, I can't hear anything and the light keeps on blinking, which means it run out of battery already.. What?! The battery has been replaced last night.. So, when I asked my mom to change the battery when we arrived at home, we found out that the blue seal/sticker on the battery hasn't been peeled off.. Hay! :P I could have heard a lot of noise this afternoon..

Bzzz-ZZZ-zzzz-tut-zzzz

That's basically the sound/noise I'm hearing.. I'm excited for MAY Birthday Project tomorrow.. I'm excited because I'm excited.. Plus (I think) I'll get to hear a lot of sound/noise..

Happy Birtday ME

It was my grandma's birthday yesterday so I went upstairs (her house is on the 3rd floor) to greet her.. While we were having our dinner, my dad was choked with the shrimp he's eating.. He kept on coughing and coughing and coughing.. Everytime he coughs, the sound i hear becomes louder.. Until the piece of shrimp was out of his throat..

I'm so noisy!

Oh yes! I could hear the feedback of my voice.. The buzzing sound that I'm hearing becomes louder every time I shout, it's 3 seconds delay though.. I keep on shouting right now like a crazy person.. If only I could let you hear what I'm hearing.. Haha.

Tito Archie

It was my godchild Timmy's Christening this morning.. Unfortunately, we weren't able to attend since we were all tired from the party lastnight.. But still we payed them a visit in their home in Cainta very late this afternoon.. They also rented a videoke machine and of course I heard its feedback sound.. As usual Tito Archie is super duper noisy, drunk or not.. Mostly it's non-sense stuffs to laugh about.. But it really doesn't matter now coz the super great thing is I'm hearing a feedback from his voice.. Everytime he talks (a lot), the sound I'm hearing becomes louder.. As in! I said that when my CI is already on its final tuning and it won't work 100% good (there's a 50/50 chance since I got NF2), it'll be 100% whenever I hear Tito Archie talk.. Haha!

May 17

It's my birthday and hearing celebration plus it was Maro's birthday plus my dad (May10), my mom (May27) and my lola (May20).. My mom rented a videoke machine.. Oh yes! I didn't only felt the bass and heard some "tok. tok.", but i can tell if the music is fast or slow.. I could also hear the pounding of mic.. It's a party so balloons are present though those balloons are meant for bursting.. Yup! I heard it. Then later that night, my not-so-hearing improved.. Kayzeleen "Batching" Banico tried shouting beside my CI.. I didn't hear what she said but I know she spoke something coz I heard a feedback.. Yey! Then after my party, while Maro and I are watching t.v., I recognized that the feedback I'm hearing becomes louder everytime I'm near the speaker of the t.v.. So i put my ear beside the t.v.'s speaker.. It became louder.. Then the sound's gone.. The magnet of my CI was attached to the t.v.. Haha! The magnet and the t.v. attracted each other.. Yikee! :P

1st 2nd & 3rd Noise

After my CI was activated, the first sound I heard was the sound of the air-con inside the room.. I heard something vibrating.. They said, it might be the a/c.. One of the staff turned of the a/c, and the vibrating sound was gone.. On.. I'm hearing it.. Off.. Silence (not really, i have tinnitus).. On.. Off.. On.. My first sound, the air-con..

Before leaving PGH (Philippine General Hospital), we dropped by Ward 14B to say "Hello!" to Celina, my nurse cousin.. While i was rolling (Talitha was pusher.. wahaha!), i heard a buzzing sound.. Then I asked Talitha, what's that noise, she said it's the electric fan..

On our way home, at A. Luna Street, we passed by a teaser parade with banners, people and of course, drums coz it's fiesta somewhere near the place and they are letting the people know that their Antacruzan will pass by tonight.. Anyway, I usually hear the beat of the drums.. Just "tuk! tuk! tuk!" sound.. But I was so happy with the sound I heard from the Ati-atihan, "tuk, tog, tik, tak, tug.." I heard not only the beat of the drums but the rhythm as well.. I can tell how lively the music was..