3 weeks in

It's been 3 weeks since activation and I LOVE IT!  I know a lot of people who are considering the Esteem read this: DO IT!  And make sure Dr. Shohet is your surgeon! :)

Honestly, it feels so natural and it's only been 3 weeks.  Work is great.  The noise doesn't bother me at all and it's wonderful to not rely on lipreading.  Ever tried lipreading when kids are missing all their front teeth?  It's challenging. :)  I love hearing at night and am sleeping GREAT!  It's still amazing to hear the water in the shower.  Before, I could hear a sound but it was just a dull roar.  Now, I can identify when water hits the floor.  It's really strange.  Of course, I love being able to listen to music while I'm taking bubble baths. :)  Mostly, I'm noticing little things: hearing the kitchen timer or the door to my classroom or my dog breathing when he runs in the room.  The car radio is definitely better than it was at first.  Overall, it's WONDERFUL!

There's only one place I'm having trouble: Church.  Of all places, right? :)  All three Sundays since activation, I've left in tears and with a horrible headache.  Sunday nights and Wednesdays aren't as bad. I can hear the speaker pretty well and even the music, but the crowd noise is terrible.  It echoes and there's constant static.  I'm going for an adjustment on Friday and Megan (the audiologist) thinks she can fix it.  I'm supposed to sing alone tomorrow for the first time since activation...we'll see how that goes. :)

It's officially summer now and I am SO EXCITED to be in the water!!!  See, I hated being around people without my hearing aids.  I always felt so stupid when I couldn't hear and there were lots of embarrassing moments plus I get major anxiety in crowds when I can't hear.  So in the last several years, there are only about 10 people I've been willing to swim around or go to the beach with or do ANYTHING water related with.  Now...I can't wait. :)  I went swimming at my parents' house last night.  It was really incredible to be able to get in the water and put my head under and not worry about getting a hearing aid wet or how long it would take for my ear to dry before I could put the aid back in and ear infetions and all that jazz.  It was amazing to actually hear the water when I came out of it.   I decided yesterday that I'm going to try not wearing a hearing aid in my right ear and so far, it's good.  I definitely miss the volume and I know I'm not hearing as well as I would if I wore it, but even without it, my hearing is better than with two hearing aids before the Esteem.

So basically, I'm unbelievably thankful for this.  The adjustment has been MUCH easier than I expected.  I want to get the other ear done right now. :)