Progress

On Monday, I drove down to Newport Beach to have my left Esteem adjusted. Back in May, Envoy's West Coast audiologist recommended that I try having it reprogrammed with some new software they'd developed. I wasn't keen on the idea at first because I really didn't want to mess up the one working ear I still have, but I decided to try it since Gavyn and Brynna are coming to visit and I can't stand the thought of missing out on precious interaction with them!  I'm going to see Dr. Shohet next week, so I figured that the settings could always be changed back then if I don't like them. 

I know I rave about Shohet Ear Associates all the time, but I love that practice more every time I visit!  I've been seeing Sam, one of their newer audiologists and she is FANTASTIC!!! She  knows what she's doing with the Esteem and is not afraid to deviate from the norm to get better results. More importantly, she's VERY relational. For me, that's the most important. I actually enjoy going in for appointments with her. She's been so sweet and supportive via email even though I've been a train wreck the entire time she's known me. On Monday, she was the only doctor in the office, so she, MaryKay and I visited a lot. It's a rare blessing to have that kind of a relationship with medical professionals. I am so very thankful!

I LOVE the new settings! Sam knew I was very apprehensive so she only completely redid one setting (each Esteem has 3 settings: A, B, C, and multiple volume levels within the settings). When I had two good ears, I never changed settings but with one, I have to change things frequently. Background noise and road noise are killer. Previously, we had thought that my left Esteem was maxed out. My pre-implant hearing was at the low end of the range of hearing loss that the Esteem treats so I can't get as much volume as I would like in that ear. It's still much better than a hearing aid in volume and quality, though. However, Sam was somehow able to add 10 dB more volume in all 3 programs!!! It's making a HUGE difference! In fact, after the appointment, I went to the beach and could understand conversation over the roar of the waves. Then I went to play pool and could understand the music in the background. That's a big change!!! I don't feel quite so isolated or like I'm in a bubble. It's definite progress!!!:)

Next week, I'll see Dr. Shohet to find out about when we can get my right Esteem working again. I can't wait to feel normal again!! Until then, though, there is a lot of fun to be had with Gavyn and Brynna and VBS coming up!:)

I love having an excuse to visit the beach often :)

16 weeks post surgery