Here goes nothing

Starting a blog is very strange. I've never wanted one because I certainly don't have anything of value to say, but I do serve an incredible God and I have an opportunity to share what He is doing, something that is "immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine." If you know me in real life, you know that I'm a talker. :) I could talk to a brick wall and can usually find something to say about anything, but it really is hard to put into words all that I am experiencing. So, if you're stuck reading this, bear with me. :)

I was born with a mild-moderate-severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. That means that I have nerve damage in both ears. At some low frequencies (pitches), I have a mild loss (20-40dB, like a whisper or library). As frequency rises, I require more volume. In my right ("good") ear, I can hear most frequencies at 60-65 dB, which is considered moderate/severe loss. In my left ear, my threshold is 80 dB (like a piano). My comfortable listening level is 75 dB in my good ear and 110 dB in my bad. For reference, 80 dB is the danger zone and 120 is the pain threshold for people with normal hearing. Yes, my loss is that bad. :) When I find a copy of my audiogram, I'll post it. Please don't think I am complaining, though! I have been very blessed! Basically, I do have some hearing and am very fortunate that I'm able to hear quite well with hearing aids. My aided scores are nowhere near the normal hearing range, but I can live a "normal" life with the help of hearing aids.

In less than 3 weeks, I will receive the Envoy Esteem, a surgically implanted prosthetic hearing system. While it's not a "cure," it could actually allow me to hear in the normal range. The procedure has risks, of course, and there are no guarantees. I will have to learn how to hear and process sound naturally, but it really is possible for me to hear without hearing aids. The whole idea is still overwhelming and I can't imagine what it will be like, but I'm beyond thankful for this opportunity. See, with hearing aids, I'm able to hear and talk to people and listen to music most of the time, but I can't keep my aids in 24/7. At night, anytime I'm around water or when I'm exercising, I cannot wear hearing aids. With the Esteem, I'll be able to hear ALL the time. It's mind blowing, really. :)

This is quickly becoming a novel and that is not my intent. :). Reading blogs of other Esteem recipients has been helpful for me so I hope to do the same for other people who are considering the implant. I'm not a writer or a medical expert. I'm just a very blessed girl experiencing something amazing and hoping to share it to glorify God. So here goes nothing. :)