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.
HEARING SPANGLISH
My Cochlear Implant Journey with Carrie Spangler
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.
Sometimes, new experiences have the uncanny ability to transport you back to memories buried deep in your mind. As a young child, I had a love for water, albeit with certain reservations. I soon began to recall my elementary school days spent at the local pool, which our family belonged to. My friends, all with typical hearing, would dash and dive into the water without a second thought. For me, though, this dash was tinged with anxiety. Not because I couldn’t swim, but because I’d be submerged in silence. At that point in my life, I struggled with self-consciousness about my hearing aids. I’d speedily remove them, stashing them away in my swim bag before anyone would see. I’d be laser-focused on each friend, trying to read their lips and follow the poolside chatter. At times kids would pull others into the water, and I constantly feared becoming a target, worried my hearing devices would plunge into the pool.
This summer, those old feelings resurfaced when I decided to purchase that long awaited SUP. I remembered how much I disliked being without sound while in the water. My initial strategy involved a mishmash of tight headbands and a cap to secure my cochlear implant and hearing aid in place. Everything was snug, but the unease of toppling into the water bothered me, knowing my devices could be damaged or lost at the lake’s bottom. What should have been a relaxing and enjoyable activity turned into the opposite.
After several outings on the lake that offered no moments of tranquility, I admitted that I needed to explore the waterproof options available for my cochlear implant from Advanced Bionics (AB). Some recipients opt for this as an accessory when getting their cochlear implant, but at the time of my implantation, I hadn’t seen the need. Five years later, I found myself wanting this accessory to enjoy a simple pleasure in life. I finally gave in and decided to invest in this accessory for the sake of peace of mind. I visited a FB page to see if anyone had one for sale, realizing that such accessories might not be in high demand. Fortunately, I found someone selling the Aqua Kit and secured it for myself!
I still don’t enjoy the luxury of dashing into the water. I need to ensure my Aqua Kit battery is charged, remove the earhook from my processor, carefully weave the Aqua Kit into my hair, and switch to the “off-ear” program before I can fully enjoy in the water. At this point, only my cochlear implant is fully waterproof. If you’re paddleboarding with me, make sure you stay on my left side, or I won’t hear you. I hope that in the future, my hearing aid will also have the same waterproof capabilities.
So, what’s SUP? With a financial investment and the few extra steps required to switch to Aqua Mode, I’ve fallen in love with the simple joy of being on the water with my paddleboard. Gone is the anxiety of losing my device or losing my sense of sound. Instead, I’m relishing the delightful sounds and scenic sights that accompany my paddleboarding adventures.
For the video- captions and transcript are available with the link- https://youtu.be/TA6kORPINtY?feature=shared.
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