My Cochlear Surgery Anniversary

16 years ago today, I had my cochlear implant surgery.  I am extremely thankful that I have a cochlear implant! I'm thankful that the surgery went well and that my cochlear implant is successful.  I would love to meet Dr. Shelton, and tell him, "Thank you!"

People often ask me if I will ever get second cochlear implant on my left ear.  Right now my answer is no, and I have several reasons why.  To be honest, the biggest reason is that I am terrified!  I do not want to get another surgery.  One of my biggest fears is that my cochlear implant will break inside, and that I will have to get another surgery and learn how to hear again.  One of the reasons I'm scared is that the facial nerve runs close to the auditory nerve.  If they nick it, your face will be paralyzed.  It's rare, but still scary.  Another reason is that I can hear great right now, and I don't want to change that.  Another reason is that I don't do well with change.  I hate going and get remapped because it always sounds different afterwards and it takes awhile for my brain to get used to it.  I think it would be really hard for me to learn how to hear again in my left ear.  

I think it would be great to have a second cochlear implant.  But I don't think I will get one.  However, if my cochlear implant does break inside (hopefully not!), I probably will get two implants because I will be getting the surgery and learning how to process sound anyway.  I would love to have a full range of hearing.  Right now, I can only hear on my right side.  If someone is calling my name on my left side, I don't turn and look over my left shoulder, I always look over my right shoulder. I think it is so weird that you guys can hear out of two ears. Haha! I've grown up my whole life only hearing out of one ear.  If I did get a second implant, I would have to get used to hearing out of two ears.  

I thought a lot about my surgery today because it is the anniversary of my surgery date.  That day, 16 years ago, my life changed forever.  

High School Dances

High school dances are extremely hard for me.  Yesterday I went to my senior homecoming, and I had a great time even though it was very difficult to hear throughout the whole day date and dance. 

For our day date we went tandem biking up the canyon, and it was super fun!  However, it was a situation where it was difficult to hear.  The wind was blowing in my microphone, I could hear the roaring river, and I couldn't read his lips.  My date was super nice and spoke loud, which was helpful.  

For dinner we went to Olive Garden, and again it was a situation where it was hard to hear.  The restaurant was loud making it hard to hear.  It was really hard to follow the conversation because it was jumping around a lot.  Whenever conversations bounce around quickly and everybody talks at once I am often lost.  Restaurants are always a challenge because they are loud and conversations jump around quickly.

By the time we drove to the dance it was dark outside.  Trying to hear in the car can be challenging, but it is 10x harder when it is dark and I can't see anyone's lips.  I am often found in this situation where I am in the car and it is dark and it can get very frustrating for me.

The dance was fun, but it was so loud!  The music was loud, people were shouting, and it was in a small space so it was super loud.  For the most part it was okay because we were just dancing, but whenever someone would talk to me I struggled.  Another thing that was hard about the dance was that everybody would sing along to the song except for me.  I never understand the lyrics to songs unless I look them up.  I'm not a huge music listener because I can't hear the lyrics.  

The after party was so much fun!  We had ice cream and played games.  I had a great time because it was light and quiet so I could easily follow along with the conversation.  

I am so glad I was able to go to homecoming.  I had a fantastic time.  It might of been difficult to hear, but I still had a great time. Going to the dance helped me realize that I will have situations where it is difficult to hear.  It's part of my life.  But for the most part of my life, I am able to hear fine.  I am so grateful that I have a cochlear implant that allows me to hear.  I'm glad I can go to homecoming and talk with kids.  

ASL Music Video

I thought it would be fun to share a project that I just finished in my ASL 4 class.  We made a music video to "Keep Your Head Up" by Andy Grammer.  Enjoy!

Keep Your Head Up ASL from Ben Cahoon on Vimeo.