Hmmm....
I have been prepared for this. It's not like I didn't know that things would be *different* once he was activated and the hearing aid was taken off the other ear. I just didn't expect what we are going through. I've noticed a couple of BIG differences immediately following Christian's activation, and it's taking a couple of days for me to get used to it too.
He's not responding to his name, which is REALLY hard for us. We've been so blessed that Christian was a fantastic hearing user, and he would turn to his name at the drop of a hat. Our EI teacher, the lovely Mrs. M reminded me that the way his name sounds to him with his implant is TOTALLY different then what he heard aided. Who knew what "Christian" sounded like to him. He didn't even have access to the "Ch" sound. Additionally, I've noticed that his voice now sounds a bit deeper and muffled when he babbles. Yet, at the same time, he's also ALOT louder than he was prior to activation. I remember right when he was aided that he was a loud little monkey for a couple of days.
Whenever people ask me how we're doing with all of this, I say we're taking it one day at a time with this. I feel like I literally JUST got the hang of dealing with Christian and his aids and his therapy. Now, things are completely different, and it's a totally different road. Don't get me wrong...I'm ready for this road trip. Especially since this road trip has a really cool destination.
7 comments:
It will get better! I have to relearn all my sounds and "reconnect" them. A/V therapy was a great help!
Maybe you need to sit in front of him and repeat his name over and over until he "gets it" with the "new way".
Hope your weekend is great!
Laurie
Hang in there-- it takes time and baby steps!
Gage's favorite word pre implant was hammer! He knew it and used it often. After his implant I had to reintroduce everything...basically say it all over again...he didn't even recognize hammer. Now is when you need to talk from the time you wake til the time you go to bed, so he gets familiar w/your routines, your vocabulary. You may be the one needing a nap at the end of the day but it's all worth it.
Sending warm thoughts your way! Reading this post made me think of one I read a long time ago. The information on the "name game" is at the bottom of this person's blog post, but I though she had some good ideas:
http://hearwegocorrina.blogspot.com/2007/08/corrina-name-game.html
I agree with what Laurie says. Nothing sounds remotely the same with a implant. My name certainly didn't sound the same. I had a huge problem with B, D, S, Z's. Guess what? I was missing the b's in my name and it sounded as if someone was saying ahh. Very annoying indeed, very very annoying. In due time your voice will start coming through naturally :)
I was just thinking today - by the time I get used to Aiden's aids and all this therapy, it will be time to start all over with CI's. Thank you for giving us out there who steps behind you, hope and faith and helping us believe that this road may have many forks and dead ends, but in the end, we'll make it!
Laurie and Abbie, I love your perspective on things. I can only imagine what his name sounds like to him now. I need to pray for more patience!
Val-Christian is doing the same thing with his favorite words....it's frustrating, but I look back and see how fast we got to where he was aided. I just need to breathe.
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