Comments on: Earpiphanies http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/ Michael Chorost, author of <i>Rebuilt</i>, on cochlear implants Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:53:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Laurie in TN http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/#comment-93 Laurie in TN Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:02:28 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/#comment-93 This makes a lot of sense. Sounds like you are ready for a new map! Glad you are hearing good. I love listening on the phone and to music with my headphones. Can't wait to hear more! This makes a lot of sense. Sounds like you are ready for a new map! Glad you are hearing good. I love listening on the phone and to music with my headphones.

Can’t wait to hear more!

]]> By: valerie http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/#comment-92 valerie Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:13:01 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/#comment-92 At least I know I am not going crazy!!!! I have felt that way since activation in August. It seems my ears are in harmony with each other, but separately the sounds are not clear or crisp. My right ear seems to have more clarity instead of the left. Which is very strange because my right ear only had 1% hearing compared to the left at 17%. Just like Jon I think the same with one ear being weaker. I am so excited about the music. It just adds something so special to our world. The harmonies, beats and melodies. It gives such joy. I am hung up on music from the 80's - my high school music. Enjoy!!!! I am interested in the new study - if you find out anything please post it. Valerie At least I know I am not going crazy!!!! I have felt that way since activation in August. It seems my ears are in harmony with each other, but separately the sounds are not clear or crisp. My right ear seems to have more clarity instead of the left. Which is very strange because my right ear only had 1% hearing compared to the left at 17%. Just like Jon I think the same with one ear being weaker.

I am so excited about the music. It just adds something so special to our world. The harmonies, beats and melodies. It gives such joy. I am hung up on music from the 80’s - my high school music. Enjoy!!!!

I am interested in the new study - if you find out anything please post it.

Valerie

]]> By: Jon http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/#comment-91 Jon Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:59:07 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/#comment-91 After 18 months as a "sequential bilateral" implantee, I still get the feeling that the "first ear" is weaker than the "second ear." Test scores don't bear this out for me, but psychologically, I still feel this to be true. It's interesting. I'm not a science writer, so I have written this all off as "my ears each having distinct personalities." At the end of the day, they are working together, and that's what counts. Battery life in the second ear has gotten shorter as I have re-MAPped its processor over time, so the newer ear must still be growing and adjusting. The University of Iowa has just begun a new study on "sequential bilateral implantees," and they are doing all sorts of fun tests on localization of sound, pitch perception, recognition of speech in noise, and music. As far as I know, subjects have CIs from all of the major manufacturers. After 18 months as a “sequential bilateral” implantee, I still get the feeling that the “first ear” is weaker than the “second ear.” Test scores don’t bear this out for me, but psychologically, I still feel this to be true. It’s interesting.

I’m not a science writer, so I have written this all off as “my ears each having distinct personalities.” At the end of the day, they are working together, and that’s what counts. Battery life in the second ear has gotten shorter as I have re-MAPped its processor over time, so the newer ear must still be growing and adjusting.

The University of Iowa has just begun a new study on “sequential bilateral implantees,” and they are doing all sorts of fun tests on localization of sound, pitch perception, recognition of speech in noise, and music. As far as I know, subjects have CIs from all of the major manufacturers.

]]> By: Zahra http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/#comment-90 Zahra Thu, 31 Jan 2008 07:41:14 +0000 http://www.michaelchorost.com/blog/2008/01/30/earpiphanies/#comment-90 "Every night when I took off the processors both ears were howling. Roaring sounds, rushing sounds, bits and scraps of music"– I get these sounds too, except my second implant hasn't been turned on yet. But, it has happened and my educated guess it the nerves, which are still intact are stimulating. So, I ask you this, why is it at times it makes howling noises, and other times not? Or, how did the brain pick up on it, when we have "deaf ears" as in we're not supposed to be hearing anything without the processors. “Every night when I took off the processors both ears were howling. Roaring sounds, rushing sounds, bits and scraps of music”– I get these sounds too, except my second implant hasn’t been turned on yet. But, it has happened and my educated guess it the nerves, which are still intact are stimulating. So, I ask you this, why is it at times it makes howling noises, and other times not? Or, how did the brain pick up on it, when we have “deaf ears” as in we’re not supposed to be hearing anything without the processors.

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