Comments on: The World Whole and Full http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/ Michael Chorost, author of <i>Rebuilt</i>, on cochlear implants Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:51:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Steve http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-52 Steve Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:57:59 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-52 Fascinating, that you could understand your mom with your newly implanted right on the very first day, but only when your left implant was also switched on. Is something amazing going on in the brain that nobody fully understands yet? I don't know, but I thought I'd share recent observations of my own: As I'm sure you know, doctors have often recommended implanting the decidedly superior ear, particularly if the other ear has had little to no practice over an extended period of time. This seems based on the opinion that the left-to-right and right-to-left ear/brain hemisphere connection is strictly independent of each other; that is, regardless of a person's level of hearing (including any significant changes that may occur in life), the brain's left hemisphere can never benefit the left ear and vice versa. However, recent data seems to suggest otherwise. There have been numerous observed cases where, when the little-used ear is implanted, as long as the other ear has had enough prior exposure with which the patient was readily able to identify sounds, said patient soon demonstrates remarkable auditory performance in the little-used ear. This is because, according to one surgeon, if the auditory system has been well-stimulated with the dominant ear, it will not make any difference if you have the less dominant ear implanted. I've heard elsewhere that the brain has only one "auditory processing system." I guess I used to think it has two, one for either side. Anyway, not suggesting that yours is a superior/non-dominant ear situation, but that perhaps in certain situations such as when you hold a telephone to your newly implanted ear to begin a conversation, something clicks in the brain that says "oh hey, I know what this is, communication -- it's time to access the speech comprehension database that the other ear uses all this time." Fascinating, that you could understand your mom with your newly implanted right on the very first day, but only when your left implant was also switched on. Is something amazing going on in the brain that nobody fully understands yet? I don’t know, but I thought I’d share recent observations of my own:

As I’m sure you know, doctors have often recommended implanting the decidedly superior ear, particularly if the other ear has had little to no practice over an extended period of time. This seems based on the opinion that the left-to-right and right-to-left ear/brain hemisphere connection is strictly independent of each other; that is, regardless of a person’s level of hearing (including any significant changes that may occur in life), the brain’s left hemisphere can never benefit the left ear and vice versa. However, recent data seems to suggest otherwise. There have been numerous observed cases where, when the little-used ear is implanted, as long as the other ear has had enough prior exposure with which the patient was readily able to identify sounds, said patient soon demonstrates remarkable auditory performance in the little-used ear. This is because, according to one surgeon, if the auditory system has been well-stimulated with the dominant ear, it will not make any difference if you have the less dominant ear implanted. I’ve heard elsewhere that the brain has only one “auditory processing system.” I guess I used to think it has two, one for either side.

Anyway, not suggesting that yours is a superior/non-dominant ear situation, but that perhaps in certain situations such as when you hold a telephone to your newly implanted ear to begin a conversation, something clicks in the brain that says “oh hey, I know what this is, communication — it’s time to access the speech comprehension database that the other ear uses all this time.”

]]> By: Laurie in TN http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-50 Laurie in TN Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:42:43 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-50 Awesome! Welcome to the bilateral world! You are off to a great start! My right ear is my newly planted ear and is my favorite. . . can't wait to hear more from you! Awesome! Welcome to the bilateral world! You are off to a great start! My right ear is my newly planted ear and is my favorite. . . can’t wait to hear more from you!

]]> By: valerie http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-49 valerie Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:07:38 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-49 Michael, I am so excited about your "two ears." I know the feeling. I wonder if it makes a differences having both ears implanted and activated at onces. It is hard for me to understand, since both mine were done at the same time. They work in harmony and it is terrible when only one on. I wish you enjoyment, love, happiness, music and of course sound. Valerie Michael,
I am so excited about your “two ears.” I know the feeling. I wonder if it makes a differences having both ears implanted and activated at onces. It is hard for me to understand, since both mine were done at the same time. They work in harmony and it is terrible when only one on. I wish you enjoyment, love, happiness, music and of course sound.
Valerie

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-44 Jennifer Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:17:30 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-44 Michael...you tell it so well. I'm overjoyed that your ear's working out for you...you're so blessed to have the two ears working together! I know it will get better and better for you...and can't wait to hear all about your experiences!! Michael…you tell it so well. I’m overjoyed that your ear’s working out for you…you’re so blessed to have the two ears working together!
I know it will get better and better for you…and can’t wait to hear all about your experiences!!

]]> By: Jeff http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-43 Jeff Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:07:59 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-43 That's what we all want -- that it's hitting on all sixteen and making some sort of sound, any sound. Congratulations! I notice odd things going on between my CI and hearing aid that I don't think occurred when I was wearing two hearing aids. Both ears complain immediately with a short spell of tinnitus when my CI is turned off, and my hearing aid sounds very raspy on its own at first. Turning off my hearing aid is much more subtle: I lose the stereo sound field and some richness, but it's not such a jolt. But two CIs must be a real tug-of-war at first. I look forward to reading about the process of getting OLD CI and NEW CI in sync. That’s what we all want — that it’s hitting on all sixteen and making some sort of sound, any sound. Congratulations!

I notice odd things going on between my CI and hearing aid that I don’t think occurred when I was wearing two hearing aids. Both ears complain immediately with a short spell of tinnitus when my CI is turned off, and my hearing aid sounds very raspy on its own at first. Turning off my hearing aid is much more subtle: I lose the stereo sound field and some richness, but it’s not such a jolt. But two CIs must be a real tug-of-war at first.

I look forward to reading about the process of getting OLD CI and NEW CI in sync.

]]> By: Abbie http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-41 Abbie Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:52:39 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/24/the-world-whole-and-full/#comment-41 I am so glad that the Junior partner is up and running on all 32 electrodes :) That is so interesting how you are able to hear Mom on the phone with both partners on. Too bad there isn't a blueprint involved with this entire process, but that is wickedly wild! If Junior perceives my voice in the video as sweet and raspy, then he is doing a very good job indeed of understanding :) Did you happen to record your activation my good man? If you did, you could do what I did. I uploaded my video to YouTube and then used another site called www.overstream.net to add the captions. It took me a long time for me and my direct connect cord to comprehend everything that was being said. I can't wait for an update tomorrow. You are so lucky that you get to go back the next day, I had to wait a week! Salud to the Partners, may they live in holy harmony :) I am so glad that the Junior partner is up and running on all 32 electrodes :) That is so interesting how you are able to hear Mom on the phone with both partners on. Too bad there isn’t a blueprint involved with this entire process, but that is wickedly wild!

If Junior perceives my voice in the video as sweet and raspy, then he is doing a very good job indeed of understanding :) Did you happen to record your activation my good man? If you did, you could do what I did. I uploaded my video to YouTube and then used another site called http://www.overstream.net to add the captions. It took me a long time for me and my direct connect cord to comprehend everything that was being said. I can’t wait for an update tomorrow. You are so lucky that you get to go back the next day, I had to wait a week!

Salud to the Partners, may they live in holy harmony :)

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