I know, I know. It's been a while...

...but hey, guess what?

It's a new post about my cochlear implant journey!

Recently I tried using the "regular" batteries (they are these German-made high-powered batteries... doesn't it seem like the best industrial stuff tend to be German? anyways...) instead of the lithium rechargeable ones I'd been using from the beginning, and I noticed a huge difference in the quality of sound. It had some kind of fuller sound (kind of like the ol' hearing aids I had) but with the clarity and precision that comes with the implant processing technology.

The point is: I like these batteries much better. Granted, they cost money as opposed to the rechargeables, but they are worth the difference any day.

So I really love my implant and the new world it has opened up to me. It's gotten to where I'm at the lowest sensitivity and volume settings because my brain is picking up speed and things are looking up.

I'm back in school, training to be a Pharmacy Technician, and the classroom has been a great arena to test out the new implant. I especially love my computer literacy class, where you have to listen to instructions while looking at your computer screen. It's a great test of the implant, and (for the most part), I don't have to look at Ms. Foenele's lips to find what she was or is saying.

So, for all of you who helped me get the implant, whether through donations or prayers, thanks again, and look for another post in the near future.

Happy Fall,

P.J.

Vive le technology!

My friend and priest, Liz Armstrong, was right: the "mapping" or programming of the cochlear implant processor is what makes the magic happen!

I didn't realize how significant this programming was until yesterday's re-mapping session in Oklahoma. Now that I can compare this new mapping with the older, primary one, I can truly say that progress has been made and boy, oh boy, what a leap!

I can only imagine what it will be like after a year of mapping! My next mapping will be in three months.

This is scary cool. Now I know why everybody kept saying, "just wait, peej, just wait!"

Love from Sacramento,

P.J.

p.s. during the audiology testing yesterday, my sentence recognition (with cues) was 82%!

Out of curiosity...

I put my left hearing aid tonight on just to see how it sounded (for those who don't know, I will eventually wear both my left H.A. and cochlear implant device on right; for now, i only wear the new device).

It was really weird.

When I walked into the kitchen, I bumped into the stove because I felt pulled left. My balance as being thrown a bit!

From the hearing aid ear I instantly remembered what hearing was like with them: the lower pitches sounding louder, creating a "fuller" sound but significantly less sound discrimination than with my implant.

I definitely prefer the newer sound via the cochlear implant. Lots of details, intricate and complex sounds, a more dynamic range of pitch (all being equal and "in play"), and it's only getting better as my brain gets more comfortable.

My kids, Ivy and Jonathan, have unique and wonderful voices and laughs, and I absolutely love listening to them!

So it will be interesting to wear the implant device and the hearing aid together. That won't happen for at least another couple months, though. This is to give the brain a chance to adjust to life with the implant.

Hope you're all having a good summer.

-pj

Before and After: Audiology exam

The first test shows my hearing "au naturale." I only start to hear sounds around 70 decibels and need up t0 115 dbs for the higher pitch sounds. This is considered severe-to-profound deafness.

Now, the second test, done with my new thing-a-ma-jig, I am hearing sounds at whatever pitch at around 20 dbs. This is what is considered "normal" hearing range.

I know! Pretty awesome.

Now my brain is processing all the new sounds and taking an inventory. As the brain gets used to the new world, it will set up neurotransmitter highways for these sounds that will make it easier, over time, to recognize them. This is why right now it's not exactly hearing heaven yet.

Speech discrimination will slowly but surely get better and better.

Since I'm in Oklahoma: "YEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

WOAH. WOAH. WOAH.

Did someone put the Chipmunks on?

Man, plastic stuff is LOUD. Gross.

Ok, y'all, get ready for some daily postings now that I am officially hooked up!

And wait until you see my audiology test from today... did i really do dat?

It's all kind of overwhelming... in a really good way.

This is my kind of Independence Day Weekend.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart to everybody for the support!

First follow-up appointment: looking good.

I went to see Dr. Kopke this morning and he was pleased with the state of the wound/stitches.  20 stitches, by the way, in case you're counting.  It felt so good to scratch my head and hair for a little bit until he put the new dressing on.  

Been feeling a little on the weak side today; not quite able to eat as much as I usually do.  Food stays down no problem, just can't handle more than half a plate of food every 4-6 hours or so. Dad and I found a smoothie shop this morning and that hit the spot.

Glad to have the NBA Finals on tonight as a distraction.  Go Magic!  I'm from Sacramento so I can't root for LA.  Besides, LA has won enough championships.

My right ear: so THIS is total deafness.

Right now I'm getting used to zero hearing in my right ear, the ear with the implant.  It's kind of a shock, because I can't hear anything out of my right ear, absolutely nothing.  

Surgery successful!

Thanks for all the prayers and support!  Went into surgery at 7:30 this morning in Oklahoma City... four hours later, I'm well on my way to Bionic Man-hood.  Doesn't feel too bad, but not going to go play basketball today, I don't think.  :)  

Things that don't require hearing.

1. Hugs (especially from Ivy - good hugger!)

2. My wife's smile.

3. Watching my nine-month old son, Jonathan, sleep.

4. Babette the beagle jumping on me as if I'm the prodigal son.

5. Candles.

6. Riding my bicycle (although I should hear what I can, for safety's sake).

7. Trees growing.

8. Mom and Dad's loving smile... and smiles at the grandkids!

9. Eating delicious food.

10. Reading.

What is exactly involved in the surgery?

Here is a good link with a brief sketch of the cochlear implant surgery (you'll have to cut and paste the links into your URL, sorry):

http://deafness.about.com/od/basicsofcochlearimplants/a/cisurgery.htm

Also a video:

http://video.about.com/deafness/Cochlear-Implants.htm

I am getting excited about this...

Over half of surgery costs already raised!

We have already received more than half of the $31,000 needed for the cochlear implant surgery! As of today, we've collected $17,075 from people from as far away as Florida and Eastern Oregon. It's amazing, even in this uncertain financial climate, how people seem to find a way to keep on giving: with their time at a shelter, or money for a cause, or even something as simple as deciding to say "hi"to a stranger on the street. Maybe there is good news out there, if we choose to look for it.

Thank you for your support!

Love,

P.J.

Some things don't need to be heard to be enjoyed...

I was having Mexican food at Sal's in West Sacramento with my family on Tuesday evening when this amazing rainbow appeared. We all rushed outside and enjoyed its beauty... with a few moments of admiring silence. In this cacophonous world we live in, its nice to know we can still be interrupted by things like rainbows into a kind a stupefied "Wow."

Where to send a tax-deductible donation for my surgery

If you would like to help me cover the cost of the surgery, you can send a check to:

FAR HORIZONS FELLOWSHIP (this is also what you make the check out to)

P.O. BOX 177

CHRISTMAS VALLEY, OR   97641

Be sure to write "P.J. Ramey's Cochlear Implant" on either the memo or in a note.

Thank you!

Picture of initial appointment with Dr. Richard Kopke

This is Dr. Kopke and I after being examined and praying with him about the procedure.  He struck me as a warm-hearted and knowledgeable man.  He will be doing the surgery.

Oh, yeah, I HAVE met someone with a cochlear implant...

Emily (my wife) reminded me today that in late 2007 we went to a winery in Napa and met a bartender who had a cochlear implant. (Note to self: thank God for your wife!)

The memory comes back to me clear as day: this guy was about my age, maybe a little younger, but he was hearing everything we were saying with little or no difficulty. He seemed to relish conversation as if "in his element" and was articulate in his responses, although I know I did not hear as much as Emily did.

I want to be that guy!

Maybe I will...

maybe I will.

Implant date set for June 2nd!

This morning I got a call from Roxie, who is Dr. Richard Kopke's assistant at the Hough Ear Institute in Oklahoma City. The surgery is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 2nd! Yes!

Dr. Kopke, the epitome of the southern gentleman, will be performing the surgery. He gave me great assurance when I initially met him earlier this year for preliminary testing, and prayed with me about the decision.

The following is the informative website for the Hough Ear Institute, and even has a picture of Dr. Kopke right on the homepage! Simply cut and paste the line below into your URL or you can even do a search at google.com for "hough ear institute" and the first result after the search will be where to go.

http://www.integris-health.com/INTEGRIS/en-US/Specialties/EarInstitute/HoughEarInstitute/

Help me hear better!

Born with profound hearing loss, I have benefited from hearing aids most of my life.

I have had to work at not only living with a hearing challenge, but also a mental illness (bi-polar disorder) that is somewhat managed through a combination of medicine and reliance on friends and family.

Incredibly enough, I have a wonderful wife and two children (Ivy, 3 and Jonathan, 9 months) who love me just as I am: craziness and deaf-ishness included. Finding the humor in it all helps us get through. Laughter really is the best medicine sometimes.

My parents live in the same city and provide unending emotional and financial support, and love having grandkids 15 minutes away.

I have friends from church and school living near me and whom I interact with, providing me with another layer of assurance and encouragement on life's rough road.

But I'm still frustrated. Does it have to be THIS hard?

No, it doesn't.

Several months ago, my dad went to Oklahoma City with a missionary friend of his to help him get hearing aids. He noticed they also provided cochlear implants, which is an incredible technology that requires surgery and has improved the hearing lives of many people.

I've never met anyone that had a cochlear implant, but from what I've read and researched on the internet, the benefits are amazing and people's live have changed dramatically for the better because of it.

An audiologist from my church was actually the first person to tell me I may be eligible for a cochlear implant. But my first reaction in my mind was: "There is no way I can afford it."

But I feel this is a step that I feel I must take; a leap of faith into a new world of hearing, one that will give me, God-willing, a new-found confidence in my ability to communicate with others.

The total cost of the cochlear implant surgery and the device is $31,000.

My family is helping me get the word out and we have already raised almost half of this!

Please help me hear better. If you would like to send a word of encouragement or (tax-deductible!) gift to help me hear better, send me an email at "pjramey@gmail.com" and I will definitely reply!

Sincerely,

P.J. Ramey

P.S. Information about the implant--> http://products.cochlearamericas.com