Side Two: What the First Six Weeks Have Taught Me
The snowstorm postponed my mapping appointment, but it also gave me something unexpected: time. Time to look back at the last six weeks and notice how much has changed—and in ways I didn’t fully recognize without reflection.
Activation Day: Bouncing Forward
Activation day marked the beginning of my second cochlear implant journey—bilateral! Spoiler alert- it didn’t sound good—-yet! With preserved low-frequency hearing and amazement for the brain’s ability to adapt, I reflect on the unfamiliar sounds, the emotions that surfaced, and the confidence that comes from knowing this process is a marathon I’ve successfully run before.
Healing Towards Activation
Nine days post-surgery, I’m living in the unilateral listening world—grateful for what I know and amazed by how much has changed in six years. From electrocochleography signals to Frosty’s and French fries, this part of the marathon reflects healing, gratitude, and the road to bilateral sound.
Surgery Day Side Two
“The first CI is life-changing. The second CI is pure joy.” Friday I begin that joy-filled marathon as I step into the bilateral CI world—ready for new sounds, new possibilities, and a brand-new chapter of hearing.
Road to Second Cochlear Implant
It’s now less than a month away from surgery day—another milestone in my cochlear implant journey. As I reflect on my first surgery six years ago, I’m reminded that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back. It’s about bouncing forward—growing stronger, wiser, and more grounded through change. Inspired by Valorie Burton’s Rules of Resilience, I’m focusing on my vision: embracing the gift of my second cochlear implant and expanding my connection to the sounds and people that give life meaning.
How are you learning to bounce forward in your own journey?
Moving Forward: Preparing for Side 2 of My Cochlear Implant Journey
Preparing for my second cochlear implant has been a journey marked by reflection, trust, and growth. From candidacy testing to setting a surgery date, I’m moving forward—supported by a trusted care team and reminded, even by a fossil on vacation, that transformation takes time.
One Step, One Ear at a Time
Five years after receiving my first cochlear implant, I’m preparing to take the next step toward going bilateral. Even as an audiologist, I still carry the “what ifs” — what if I lose my residual hearing, what if the sound doesn’t sync, what if I don’t adjust? But this journey isn’t about perfection — it’s about growth. And like any marathon, it’s one step at a time. I’m ready to keep moving forward.
Self Check: Cochlear Implant Gratitude
It’s been a while since I last posted, but recently I had a self-check moment that brought me back to reflecting on my cochlear implant journey.
Many grocery stores have transitioned to self-checkout lines, and my go-to, Aldi, has converted most of theirs to self-check.
About Hearing Spanglish
Welcome to the Hearing Spanglish blog. You may be wondering about the name.
What’s SUP?
I’ve long harbored a desire to own a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), a wish that recently materialized while browsing through the intriguingly named “Aisle of Shame” at Aldi. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, I found myself the proud owner of a SUP.