"Houston, we have a problem..."

Well, not quite as significant as Apollo 13, perhaps, but a problem none the less.

The 'lock' or 'hold' enabled by the CI processor is usually fairly robust. Bang a drum next to the mike in the earpiece and, while there may be an overwhelming sense of noise followed by momentarily depleted 'hearing', things soon return to normal. The CI can 'hold' the signal.

Not for me of late though. While my audiologist has been thinking of every conceivable way of tackling the problem (and, Vicky, you have gone above and beyond the call of duty on this one) - from increasing the RF signal between the internal receiver and the external headpiece transmitter, to reducing 'volume' at all frequencies, to changing the headpiece itself - the problem is still there. Maybe not as acute a problem as it was three weeks ago, but a problem nonetheless.

Maybe it's me, maybe it's my head that is the problem (too thick a skull? too delicate an auditory nerve?). Whatever causes this, one thing is undoubtedly true - the progress of the first few weeks has stalled a bit. I;ve even been having to ask people to repeat things for the first time in ages...not good.

Activation day

Just returned from activation and, I have to say, I am getting SO MUCH from the CI that I can't quite believe it...and all after four hours. Voices, trains, doors, levers, footsteps but, most important of all, the sound of my son Alex speaking to me. Four hours. Advanced Bionics, you have my profound admiration.

Blogging again soon, but for now it feels like the hope has returned.

Next day: ...and the wonders continue. I am hearing so much without any adjustment beyond the setup that it is quite unreal. I have just (and I can't quite believe it myself) had a meeting in the covered quadrangle of one of the main university buildings - a bustling meeting place if ever there was one - and held a perfectly good conversation with a colleague without lipreading on my part. I am astounded. The train journey to work was a little surreal (trains passing my train sounded quite eerie!) and the swish of cars reminded me of Michael Chorost's comment that, after his switch on, that was one of the things that impressed him.