As some of you know, I had surgery on June 11 - a cochlear implant in  
my left ear.  On July 12, I was "activated," that is, a speech  
processor was programmed and connected to the implant via a magnet  
below the skin.  Since then, it's been a wild ride!

For example the fist day after the activation, all the sounds were  
beeps and whistles, as I imagine a dolphin would hear!  After a few  
days, I started to distinguish speech and from there on, things have  
been getting better as my brain learns to "hear" all over again and  
interpret sounds.  I really have a new appreciation for how a child  
learns language and speech without realizing it.  Now as I sit at my  
Mac and type this, I can hear the air conditioner as it hums  
(loudly!) and the radio playing in my bedroom down the hall, and one  
of my neighbors starting up their car outside.  The best thing  
though, has been hearing my cat purr as we settle down for the  
night.  But I have also found out that she doesn't meow. (and I  
thought she was just silent because I couldn't hear her!)

I'm looking forward to being more socially involved as I get out of  
my self-imposed cocoon of silence.  Modern technology is truly  
wonderful! (although I do wish it'd make me a better typist!)

Kat

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