It was a blast!  I got to meet a lot of people and finally Elizabeth McDonald from AB.  It was so nice to meet someone with a face!

I was right about the burgers, but not CI shaped... But they did have burgers.. wished they had the cheese to go with it...

I got a few freebies, some freebies for Echo and Kaitu, drawstring bags, bubbles.

There was a mixture of age groups, the most common I saw were either kids or senior citizens.  I was told that seniors are the most popular group of CI's.

It was worth going and meeting other people.... but I did get lost.  I deleted my email that had the specific directions to Centennial Park.  I thought it was the main entrance but it was in the East Entrance in a private area for large groups.

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Two  more appointments were made for the audiologist and surgeon.  The receptionist made them on the same day, but the killer part was it was July 24th.  I was like what?  She mentioned that Steve Bowditch (my audiologist) is rather booked up. 

She also asked me if I want to be on a cancellation list for Steve's appointments.  I was like sure, why not, it wouldn't hurt.

I got the name of the surgeon.  Dr. Charles Limb.

Apparently the JHH Listening Center website is going under construction, most of the links don't work right now.... :(

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Today was the day for initial consultation. My parents and fiancée went with me this morning.

Meeting Steve Bowditch was a pleasure. I think he reassured my family by answering their questions. My dad had a lot which surprised me cuz I didn't think he would be interested in the process of me getting a CI.

Two more appointments, one with Steve and the other with the surgeon. Then the surgery date will be scheduled.

Reality is coming! I am very eager to get the process moving forward. And today was the first step! Woo hoo!

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Yup, you read it right, a Cochlear Implant Picnic.  It's on May 15th from 4pm to 7pm.  It's on a Friday, an weird day to have it on, not on a Saturday or Sunday.  A Friday.  Most people work til 5pm or so.  Its at Centennial Park in Columbia, MD.  Hope to see some of you CI'rs there!  

I wonder if there will be implant sized mini burgers and mini cookies that is the shape of the magnetic device. Hehe...

Ill be there with my parents, grandmother and my friend Dan.  Dan is interested in getting the Cochlear Implant.  A good way to talk with people and get their feedback.

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Yea, I decided to do a before and after comparison analysis.  I want to see how much I can understand and full hear with my hearing aids with worsening hearing and how much I can hear after my Cochlear Implant Surgery.

I may be ahead of myself here, but I am so curious.  I really want to document the good and the bad things I can or cannot hear.

From Michael Chorost's video, he mentioned that he learned how to hear all over again by reading and listening to Winnie the Pooh - Books on Tape/CD.  This inspired me to start my comparison.

Last week on Saturday, I went to Daedalus Book Warehouse Outlet in Columbia and started my search for children's books on tape.  My friend offered to take me there since she spoke very highly about it.  I went there....Nada, Nothing!

I decided to go to the library and get a few movie soundtracks, like Aladdin and Annie.  And I was curious if my local library had children's books on tape.

This woman took me back to the kiddie section and viola!  I have never seen SO MANY children's books on tape in my life!  I was in heaven!  I pulled a few out, like the Berenstain Bears, a book that I loved as a kid, read majority of their collection.

I am hoping over the weekend, I will try one of the books on tape and write an analysis.  Keep an eye out!

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I have been asked what company that I am planning to use.  There are three companies that I know of, Advanced Bionics (AB), Cochlear, and Med-El.

I'm not gonna lie here, I picked AB, because of the great advanced technology that they have come up with.  Their special hooks, the T-Mic, the direct connect, and the standard hook.  All I can say is 'WOW'.  The T-Mic really sounds pretty cool from what I have heard from my mentors and friends that have AB.   I know that there have been two recalls but it shows that they are willing to go for the improvement in their processor, implant piece.  Also their advancement in the software as well.  

I have a lot of CI'ers that have AB.  Very few have Cochlear and None have Med-El.  There is one thing I heard about Med-El.. they have the tinniest processors that I haven't seen in a long time!

But what's important to me?  The advanced technology with the newest software that recently been out not too long ago.  Gotta weigh your options!

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