Carole M - Cochlear Volunteer

That phase kept going through my mind when I began to realize what a difference being bilateral made in what I hear. I really thought I was hearing everything with one. I had no idea what it would be like hearing with both ears.

I was talking to one of our volunteers here in Tucson about her daughter that is bilateral. I probably wore her out with questions but I found her daughter's experience just fascinating. She told me that when her daughter was first activated with her second CI that she explained it as if there were two entities. The "Captain" and the "baby". She told me that it wasn't all that great until the third month. Then everything seemed to click and it was fabulous.

I went shopping at a big department store. As I walked in I heard the music playing. It was so clear! Then I heard a lady over the loud speaker talking about sales or whatever they talk about and heard another customer talking  in the next isle. I checked it out because I could not hear anyone answering her. I wondered if she was talking to me but it turned out she was talking on her cell phone.

It just felt so normal...that I stopped and just stood there listening to it all. I haven’t felt like that in 40 years. I can now tell when I need to change the battery in the new one because it does feel like you are hearing only half of the whole.

I’m going for my third mapping and feel that there will be only minor adjustments. It is catching up with my first one. I sometimes wonder if it will end up being the better ear.