Toes had a mapping appointment with the audiologist on Friday.
The mapping went really well. She was pleased with the progress Erin has made in tolerating the new programs.
After the mapping, we spent some time in the booth with just her left processor on to get a feel for what she is hearing on that side.
It was rather like our first visit to the booth in March 2006. Toes had no reaction to sounds while sitting there on my lap. :( I know she is hearing through the left implant, she just isn't listening.
So, I think my statement on an earlier post, "This is not a race", needs to be revised a bit. We need to spend a little more time with just her left processor on so that she learns to listen on that side.
I was pretty concerned about how we were going to accomplish this, seeing as she really does prefer to have both implants on and does not like to have her right processor turned off.
But, this morning we decided to give it a try while we were playing with puzzles - one of the more prime opportunties we get with Erin to work on therapy techniques.
She did great! She was able to follow very basic direction and responded to simple questions. I wouldn't say she is completely understanding what we are saying, but she gets enough to get by.
Ultimately, we had two 1/2 hour stretches this AM where she went with just her left processor and another 1/2 hour stretch tonight. We plan to work up to longer stretches over the next week and the long weekend. Then we'll ask daycare to do the same during story time and other times when Erin is expected to listen.
Our hope is to have her back in the booth for her next mapping on November 30 with responses closer to 20db.
So, we have some work to do! But, we're up to the challenge.
8 comments:
Wow. I guess I never really thought about this. I never realized that learning to listen has to be re-taught for the 2nd implant. I'm sure Erin will catch up to her other ear soon. She's a smart little cookie!
I'm not really looking forward to the whole "teaching" thing. I never really got into it with ear #1 because I had such a rough start with it. I am planning to really work with #2...I want great results this time around!
I have got to say that practice does indeed make a whole world of difference. She sounds like she has developed the wonderful trait of "selective hearing" already. I will be looking forward to her next mapping results!
It sounds like we all have our work cut out for us. Ethan's 2nd ear will be activated tomorrow, should be very interesting.
Glad to hear she is doing so well, I wouldn't have expected otherwise!
She is just adorable! Happy practicing!
sounds like you guys are rolling with the punches - Erin is so smart! I know she will amaze everyone at her next mapping! :O)
We're in the same boat- Emily really prefers wearing both (or sometimes even just her 'good' processor, as she says). But, she does really well at this point w/ just her new processor- I still would like to push it a bit every now and again. She's really, really stubborn though- so it could backfire :) Good luck, and I think you and Erin are doing a fantastic job, for what it's worth :)
-Melissa
Hang in there with the practicing...you're doing a great job!
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