Cochlear Implant Names

The other day I was at the farmer's market -- I was in a hurry to get out of the house and get to the market right when it opened so I could be sure to get a carton of eggs from the guy who has the most delicious eggs but only has a few cartons available every week. My parents were at the market, so I said hello and informed them that I had run out of the house so fast, I had forgotten my cochlear implant.

Only I said I had forgotten my "implant".

On the way home, I got to thinking. "Implant" is such a silly word to use, since the implant really refers to the internal piece which was ... well, implanted. Stating that I had forgotten my implant makes no sense -- like having your camera with you and forgetting the lens? Okay maybe a bad analogy. "Cochlear implant" is such a mouthful. I guess I could say "processor", since that is what the external piece really is, but that is such a generic word.

"I forgot my processor."

Sounds like I forgot to bring my computer or something. At least, I think that is what would first come to mind for most people.

I could say I forgot my Esprit 3G, which is the name of that specific processor, but again that is a mouthful and most people would have no idea what I was talking about.

Soon I am hoping to upgrade to the newer processor, which is called the Freedom.

"I forgot my Freedom."

Bizarre and silly.

Any suggestions??

Implant and Sword Fight

We went up to OHSU to activate Mike's new cochlear implant. It works, hooray!!

Whoa, he hears something...
Mike had to listen while the audiologist started at a base level and then adjusted it so that Mike could just barely perceive 3 beeps through his new implant. She had to do that 5 times across a 24-channel frequency to adjust the softness. Then she did the same thing for the loudness settings. That is a lot of beeps to listen for -- first when you barely hear them and strain to perceive any beeps and distinguish those between actual beeps and your imagination playing tricks on you. Then again with the loudness making sure it is loud enough but not so loud that it is uncomfortable.

Jake played with toys while Daddy listened hard.
The new processor. The bottom part that is beige will be replaced with black when more is in stock.
Jake wanted to carry Daddy's HUGE box of processor parts and accessories.
So Mike has been wearing both his old and new processors. He said that it is much more tolerable when he wears both together rather than just the new one alone. It helps the new one perceive sound as sound -- when you first get an implant you really don't hear any sounds, you feel them somewhere. I would feel a flooding sensation going through my brain. Mike feels them more as electrical signals. Another person I know feels them in his heart. Then, over time, the brain gradually perceives sound instead of a feeling. So with Mike's second, the brain is learning the signals from his left auditory nerve much faster because the brain is already receives and understands the signals from the right auditory nerve.

A shot that Jake took of Mama.
Jake has a sword fight with Guthrie!

Bionic Mike

Today Mike went in for surgery to get a second cochlear implant, so he will have bilateral cochlear implants (one in each ear). He's doing this mainly to gain back the directional hearing he once had with his 2 hearing aids, and for job safety.

In the waiting room, waiting to be called into the pre-surgery prep area.
The two of us. Jake stayed with Grandma Jean.
Pre-surgery. Gotta love those hospital gowns.
X marks the spot (says 'yes').
After surgery. He has to keep the bandage on for 48 hours. Not so great for sleeping.
Jake played with this massage chair while waiting at the pharmacy to pick up Mike's prescriptions.
Then we went to the grocery store to pick up some soup. Jake got this birthday cake sticker and where else would a birthday cake go but your mouth?