Audiology Visit

We had another appt last Tuesday for Natalie. I was able to drive up with a good friend from Charlotte. Her 3 year old also happen to have bilateral CI's and we got our appointments scheduled together. It made the drive go by a lot quicker and was great to visit.

The waiting room at the CCCDP where we go is so cute. Natalie's ENT's (Dr. Buchman) wife painted this mural (and other walls) with cute colorful animals. I believe she painted this in just one afternoon free hand. Each animal is wearing a cochlear implant on their ears. 3 animals representing the 3 different companies that make CI's (Cochlear, MED-EL and Advanced Bionics.) 

Natalie uses the Cochlear brand.

Natalie had another booth test. Her audiogram looks about the same as last visit, except that she is hearing in the 500 frequencies now. We were not able to pick that up on the first audiogram. Both audiograms just tested the left ear. We will test both ears next time. Since the right ear had only been activated for 1 month, it was too early to test that ear. 

The reliability of the test is fair/good right now. Natalie started picking up on what she needed to do during the testing about halfway through. Normally once a sound is produced, she should turn her head to the animals and blinking lights. She did that about half the time. So, they go off her eye movements to detect whether she is hearing the sound or not. I hope she catches on quickly. I want good, reliable tests so we can get accurate mapping for her. We need to know exactly what frequencies/decibels she is hearing at so we can adjust her processor accordingly. I also realize this is only 9 weeks into this whole process. I am just anxious and never was good with being patient.

So another month and we go back up for more testing and changing the programs on the processors.

In the meantime, I have to always been on guard with her processors. Whether we go to the grocery store, target, the park... I am always make sure we have 2 processors on her ears. Wouldn't want to lose this expensive piece anywhere!