§ ¶I always knew I had a screw loose...
I started rehab again last week, this time back with Reva and a brand new student: her first semester of grad school! Sharleen, like Megan, you're getting a crash course! At our first session, Reva and Sharleen basically repeated some of the things I did at my last session with Dave, so we could establish a baseline with Sharleen. Luckily my results were consistent, and I got one extra word on the WASP test.Today I had a mapping, two months after I got the High Fidelity processor. I now have three new programs. Sharon narrowed the Input Dynamic Range (IDR), which is the range of sound intensities that is captured by the implant without distortion, and that cut out some of the annoying background noise like the fan in the room we were in. My other two programs are louder, but with the IDR at the default setting recommended by the company. I'll have to experiment and see what I prefer. Sharon said that we don't necessarily have to keep increasing the volume, as that's not always better. And besides, we can't turn it up too much or maybe all that electrical current will fry my brain!
Sharon conducted some listening exercises as we tried to figure out which programs to use. She was impressed and said that I'm doing great. Yay me!
I mentioned to Sharon that I've had some pain in my implant area. If you feel the bump on my skull, there's a sharp edge that's sometimes tender and painful. The whole bottom area was particularly bothersome a week or two ago. She called down to Dr. Hirsch, who said he wanted to see me. Another doctor who works with him took a look at me first, and shared his theory with me -- one that Dr. Hirsch later agreed with. The sharp edge is one of the screws. The other screw is on the other side of the bottom part, and this is what holds the implant in place. Perhaps when I lie on the implant side, the pressure irritates that part of my skull. Dr. Hirsch recommended getting a donut-shaped pillow so that I alleviate some of the pressure. Of course, sleeping on the other side would work too, except I'm a side sleeper who likes to flip flop a lot. I also already have a special pillow that I use because of my tense neck, so I'll have to decide which is more important! If the pain is especially bad, Dr. Hirsch said he can go in and take the screws out. For obvious reasons, neither one of us wants to go that route. I asked if this is normal, and he said he knows of one other case. Interestingly, after I got a titanium rod in my leg, I experienced some pain in the insertion area. The orthopedist later said I might be feeling the screws. Ok, I know what you're thinking - no bad jokes allowed!
