Today I had an appointment at the audiology clinic.  We did my 3 month testing to see how much my ability to hear and understand has improved since surgery.  I am happy to report that I did very well on all of it!  The first test was one where I indicated when I heard beeps and static noises.  I scored in the “normal” range of hearing on that test.  My audiologist said the goal is to try to get CI users in the “mild hearing loss” range or better.  I did better!  Next test was a word test.  I repeated a list of words that were read to me on a recording.  Prior to surgery, I scored an 8% on that test.  Today, I scored 76%.  That is way above average for CI users (I believe she said on this test average is 50%).  She was very happy with that result.  The last test we did was a sentence test.  When you have more context, it is easier to “fill in the gaps” and figure out what is being said.  Again, this test is one where I am to repeat sentences that have been read to me on a recording.  Before surgery, my score on this test was 9% with the same ear.  Today it was 98%!!!  Wow!!!!  So exciting!  Pre-surgery, when I was tested with both ears together with hearing aids (the best possible situation for my hearing/understanding at that point) I scored a 32% on the sentence test.  Talk about a dramatic improvement!!!!  I am so thankful and happy with the results!  This surgery has made such a huge difference in my daily life!  

I spoke with the audiologist about how I almost forget that I have hearing problems sometimes, but I still do have difficulties in some specific situations.  She told me that is quite normal.  Even though I am doing extremely well and way above average in my progress, I still am a person who is hard of hearing and I will likely always have difficulty hearing and understanding in certain situations.  It is sooooooo much better than it was, though.  

I knew that today would be the day that she told me I needed to start wearing my hearing aid on the other side again and that is what she said.  I dread it, even though it isn’t really that big of a deal.  It just feels like a step backwards because it will require some adjusting again – if you recall, the time I tried to use it a few weeks ago the sound was very distorted.  I trust my audiologist, however, and I know that she is the one with the expertise. She assured me that most people find that after an initial time of adjustment, the hearing aid adds to a CI user’s ability to hear rather than taking away from it.  She told me that it is important for me to wear it now along with the CI as much as possible (I am allowed to “ease” into wearing it full-time, bu the goal is to wear it full-time).  My next appointment is in June, and at that time we will be doing testing on both ears with and without the hearing aid on the left and it is important that I wear it now to give the most accurate results possible.  Seeing how I do with it will give us more information to make the decision about whether to have the second implant surgery this summer or not.  Right now, I can’t imagine a scenario where I would choose not to have it if I still qualify, but I guess it is possible.  I am doing so well with input only in one ear right now, that I think it will surprise me how much having any use of my other ear will add to my perceptions of sound and ability to function as close to normally as possible.  

In the end, if I never have any more improvement from where I am right now, I am incredibly thankful for God’s guidance and His hand in my success.  My prayer now is that He will guide me again as I consider the second procedure.  I believe that if I still qualify in June, then that will be a “yes” and if I don’t, it will be a “no.”  The testing will make it obvious what the best course of action will be.  

Thanks for checking in on me and taking an interest in my progress!  I am still encouraged every time I think about all of the prayers and support you all have given me!