Folks recently there has been a surge in "comments" posted to this blog. I say "comments" because they are thinly-disguised spam and porn link carriers.
So you know - this kind of message will never be posted, so spammers, save your energy and go bother someone else!
Waste of space!
- iP
15 June 2010
10 May 2010
May update
Swimming is on hold. Has been since implant #2, 17 February.
Balance and unsteadiness is shaping my world right now. I saw the cochDoc on Thursday who reiterated the state of my balance at the time of my BlindSac (September 2009) - bad, not much there. I'll have a new balance test soon.
I saw the NeuroPhys at StVincents today, Monday 10 May - there are some interesting exercises to try including Tai Chi. I hope there's a Leichhardt group. Where have all the hippies gone?!
Still can't drive but I'm exploring the wonderful world of SydneyBuses and CityRail.
Perforated eardrum again and still getting over an elongated cold/flu. Weak.
- iP
Balance and unsteadiness is shaping my world right now. I saw the cochDoc on Thursday who reiterated the state of my balance at the time of my BlindSac (September 2009) - bad, not much there. I'll have a new balance test soon.
I saw the NeuroPhys at StVincents today, Monday 10 May - there are some interesting exercises to try including Tai Chi. I hope there's a Leichhardt group. Where have all the hippies gone?!
Still can't drive but I'm exploring the wonderful world of SydneyBuses and CityRail.
Perforated eardrum again and still getting over an elongated cold/flu. Weak.
- iP
20 April 2010
Decision handed-down
The Australian Human Rights Commission has handed-down its decision on the application by cinema chains for a moratorium on complaints regarding captions and audio description.
The Commission has not released its complete report yet, but will do so "shortly".
HREOC website
Feel like getting involved in the campaign to encourage cinemas to provide access? In Facebook, search "action cinema access" and join the group, for the latest updates and campaigns.
The Commission has not released its complete report yet, but will do so "shortly".
HREOC website
Feel like getting involved in the campaign to encourage cinemas to provide access? In Facebook, search "action cinema access" and join the group, for the latest updates and campaigns.
04 April 2010
Fixed at last
I can report that Dendy Newtown had an operational audio loop in Cinema 1 when I saw Mic-Macs today (Sunday 4 April)
- iP
- iP
26 March 2010
ReMap #2
Today was my second tune-up for the new implant.
We also did the original one considering that they are both now working in sort-of unison. I say sort-of because at times I hear two of everything not just one as I know you natural-hearing people take for granted.
What an amazing thing is natural hearing! What an amazing thing is cochlear-assisted hearing. Amazing.
With the new implant I got a snazzy yet bewildering remote control. It took me half an hour to work out that the battery was flat! There was a symbol on the little screen which doesn't appear in the book!
- iP
We also did the original one considering that they are both now working in sort-of unison. I say sort-of because at times I hear two of everything not just one as I know you natural-hearing people take for granted.
What an amazing thing is natural hearing! What an amazing thing is cochlear-assisted hearing. Amazing.
With the new implant I got a snazzy yet bewildering remote control. It took me half an hour to work out that the battery was flat! There was a symbol on the little screen which doesn't appear in the book!
- iP
22 March 2010
Monday 22 March
Today I had to wear number one without number two for five minutes - I can’t believe how bad it sounded. And that’s the one I relied on 100% for 18 months until 10 days ago!! This means the brain is recognising the two together [but I’m still hearing double-sounds] and will continue to improve I think.
19 March 2010
Second implant, first tune-up
Well after a major trudge to Gladesville [two buses, arrived early] I met with Carol, not my usual audiologist but capable and friendly nonetheless.
After a bit of tweaking [I dont think thats the technical term], did the sentences recognition test and achieved a result of [wait for it] [drum roll] 98%. The only error was a sentence about buying a house, not my forte. [Last visit we had to stop the word test, giggling too much - everyone sounded like Katherine Hepburn and I was replying, while impersonating Katherine Hepburn. Scored pretty well otherwise, after consideration the video umpire [yes it's coming soon]]
So now, volume is up a bit more, Carol said this re-map is quite different to the initial setup, so now we're on the way!
After the appointment I made a trip to town [bus] and the noise - you had to see it to believe it!!
After a bit of tweaking [I dont think thats the technical term], did the sentences recognition test and achieved a result of [wait for it] [drum roll] 98%. The only error was a sentence about buying a house, not my forte. [Last visit we had to stop the word test, giggling too much - everyone sounded like Katherine Hepburn and I was replying, while impersonating Katherine Hepburn. Scored pretty well otherwise, after consideration the video umpire [yes it's coming soon]]
So now, volume is up a bit more, Carol said this re-map is quite different to the initial setup, so now we're on the way!
After the appointment I made a trip to town [bus] and the noise - you had to see it to believe it!!
14 March 2010
First test
Well Saturday night in Auburnon. Turkish restaurant. It was LOUD as usual. I used my microphone on processor #1. I think it was just too loud.
In the car home I think the dual processors helped.
Still getting over the new dizziness.
- iP
In the car home I think the dual processors helped.
Still getting over the new dizziness.
- iP
11 March 2010
Switch-on #2
Well it's taken me seven years to get it together but here is the movie, as put together, for the switch-on from March 2010. My second implant.
Spencer Tracy, get out of my dressing room!
What a day!
The grey day started with the collection of my father from hospital after an overnight stay. Not good, but we're not talking about that here.
We headed to Gladesville a little early to start the video footage [movie in production, be patient]
The grey day started with the collection of my father from hospital after an overnight stay. Not good, but we're not talking about that here.
We headed to Gladesville a little early to start the video footage [movie in production, be patient]
07 March 2010
Dizziness fading
Well I think it's finally fading. I was able to be in a noisy environment today with no after-effect.
Still wasn't comfortable to drive so la chauffeuse continued her duty. Maybe tomorrow. I'm actually enjoying being on the buses although I seem to have to hang on more than previous.
Started a(nother) new blog. I'm going to add a picture a day if I can.
Have a look at
http://sydpic.blogspot.com
- iP
Still wasn't comfortable to drive so la chauffeuse continued her duty. Maybe tomorrow. I'm actually enjoying being on the buses although I seem to have to hang on more than previous.
Started a(nother) new blog. I'm going to add a picture a day if I can.
Have a look at
http://sydpic.blogspot.com
- iP
04 March 2010
This time next week
Implant number 2 will have been installed and activated.
The mapping (personalised settings) will have been set.
The movie footage will have been shot. Editing and captioning will be underway.
At the moment I visualise my range of hearing as about 150 degrees (from 12 o'clock to 5 o'clock or so)
I'm expecting the new device to fill in at least part of the circle. Another 150 degrees would be good.
The cochDoc thinks implant number 2 might produce more/better quality hearing than the first one.
That'd be good.
- iP
The mapping (personalised settings) will have been set.
The movie footage will have been shot. Editing and captioning will be underway.
At the moment I visualise my range of hearing as about 150 degrees (from 12 o'clock to 5 o'clock or so)
I'm expecting the new device to fill in at least part of the circle. Another 150 degrees would be good.
The cochDoc thinks implant number 2 might produce more/better quality hearing than the first one.
That'd be good.
- iP
27 February 2010
Sounds of Summer
| Cicadas |  |
| Corellas |  |
| Cockatoos |  |
| Rainbow Lorikeets |  |
| Crickets |  |
| Birds generally |  |
| Aeroplanes when I'm in the backyard |  |
| Traffic |  |
| TV ads, louder than the program |  |
| OK Thats it EVERYBODY SHUT UP!! | |
26 February 2010
Spammers beware
Folks
I know most of you are nice people, and that some of you have a hearing-impairment.
C'est la Vie.
There is however one among our number who has decided to take it upon him or herself to post messages of hope. Those messages contain links to other websites which are somewhat unsavoury.
You might ask why someone would take it upon themselves to do that. Why would they willingly vandalise someone's blog which is only really here for the amusement, information and community for deaf people the world over. I don't know either.
Rest assured, should it happen again they will be reported to the Blogger admin, who I'm sure look upon this kind of activity not very favourably.
Right now, I know they look like they are posting from the United States but I'm sure that that can be faked. They could be posting from anywhere in the world. The postings are made in chinese but that doesn't mean the poster is chinese.
For now, I won't be turning off the ability to post a comment but I will be leaving moderation firmly ON.
I know most of you are nice people, and that some of you have a hearing-impairment.
C'est la Vie.
There is however one among our number who has decided to take it upon him or herself to post messages of hope. Those messages contain links to other websites which are somewhat unsavoury.
You might ask why someone would take it upon themselves to do that. Why would they willingly vandalise someone's blog which is only really here for the amusement, information and community for deaf people the world over. I don't know either.
Rest assured, should it happen again they will be reported to the Blogger admin, who I'm sure look upon this kind of activity not very favourably.
Right now, I know they look like they are posting from the United States but I'm sure that that can be faked. They could be posting from anywhere in the world. The postings are made in chinese but that doesn't mean the poster is chinese.
For now, I won't be turning off the ability to post a comment but I will be leaving moderation firmly ON.
25 February 2010
CochDoc says
Today was the post-op visit to the surgeon.
Apparently all went well and the dizziness, often more severe with the implant in the second ear, should subside soon, and probably before switch-on in, just 2 weeks away.
He expects the performance of implant #2 [tested while I was in the operation] to be better than #1 where there was more nerve damage. And the two should work well together.
Swimming should be OK as soon as I'm comfortable
a- getting to the pool/beach
b- not drowning
If I'm still dizzy at switch-on time I should return.
- iP
Apparently all went well and the dizziness, often more severe with the implant in the second ear, should subside soon, and probably before switch-on in, just 2 weeks away.
He expects the performance of implant #2 [tested while I was in the operation] to be better than #1 where there was more nerve damage. And the two should work well together.
Swimming should be OK as soon as I'm comfortable
a- getting to the pool/beach
b- not drowning
If I'm still dizzy at switch-on time I should return.
- iP
23 February 2010
Transport in Sydney
You may know that the Premier has announced a new transport plan for Sydney.
There is a page set up for comments [need to sign up]
There is a page set up for comments [need to sign up]
20 February 2010
Saturday
It's a pleasant enough day today. The parrots are frolicking in the trees outside. Still dizzy but not as bad as Friday. That was bad.
Funny thing - when I was dizzy in treatment I had nausea as a result. This is dizziness without nausea. I'll put it down to different cause/effect.
- iP
Funny thing - when I was dizzy in treatment I had nausea as a result. This is dizziness without nausea. I'll put it down to different cause/effect.
- iP
19 February 2010
17 February 2010
After the op
Here's a pic taken in the Recovery Ward. Still alive, head spinning slightly. Throat very dry from local anaesthetic and still on a drip, saline. Had a little nose-bleed probably from the tube they pushed down there.
Good thing I did all that swimming - given me a bit of strength against the surgical onslaught I think.
Light on not many home
Good thing I did all that swimming - given me a bit of strength against the surgical onslaught I think.
16 February 2010
It's on TOMORROW
Yep at 6:30 am tomorrow I'll be wheeled in and away we go. The operation will last about 15 seconds from my point-of-view. Several hours from your point-of-view.
But
I won't be able to hear any better until SWITCH-ON in a couple of weeks. Even then it remains to be seen/heard.
So be in touch - I can still do email and monitor comments. Let me hear YOUR news!
But
I won't be able to hear any better until SWITCH-ON in a couple of weeks. Even then it remains to be seen/heard.
So be in touch - I can still do email and monitor comments. Let me hear YOUR news!
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