AEGphotos photography Services

Some of you are wondering what kind of service my business, AEGphotos, provide. Well, I am happy to show you what I can do. Here are the sample:

Wedding:



Portraits:


Modelling:


Music:



Event:


If you are looking to capture your special moments, birthday party or any kind of photography, please contact me at info@aegphotos.co.uk

Music through Cochlear implant

I know I love to talk about music and I have noticed this have been the top topic for people who are interesting what music would sound like through cochlear implant. Well after 4 months since the switch on, I can honestly tell you that the sound quality is getting better. I may not hear the best of a woman singer in high pitch any clearer but I have been force to listening to music without lyrics to follow the rhythm. The more that I would listen to the high pitch the better the sound quality will be. The brain needs to learn to get the rhythm perfectly. I wonder how long that will happen to me.

Recently I have been attending to the music concert for the Deaf held by the Ear Foundation sponsor by the Advanced Bionic. I was doing a job for them to capture the event. Some of the musicians are either: - deaf, deaf and blind as well hearing. They came to show people that they could play the music no matter what their disabilities are. We had a deaf and blind person, Russ Palmer, playing the piano and guitar. He undergoes an operation for cochlear implant in 2004 and carrying on with his music fearing he would lose the sound quality. For 5 years, he had been developing his singing tracks and his music so he could fulfill his musical ambition to hear and experience new sounds, as well to perform as a musical artist. I was amazed on how he played on stage. It was such a nice flowing gently rhythm.

(Russ Palmer)

(The Deafness)

Other deaf players are the band, The Deafness, from Mary Hare School. Mary Hare School is one of the well-known schools for the deaf in UK. I do not know much about the School myself, as I have never went to a Deaf school. The Deafness, were all played by deaf musicians playing, drum, bass, singer and backup singer. They have performance at the Royal Albert Hall, which was highly recommended in public by Ed Balls. They have also performed at the National School prom, Paul Weller, Sugergrass and Kate Tunstall. I wish them much luck for their successes.

The other musician is a hearing person who plays a flute. I am not trying to offend anyone but I do find it sound awful to me. I know its very high pitch and its sound to me as if it screaming my head out waiting to be exploded. Maybe it was out of tune? How do I know if its out of tune? Maybe its because my hearing range have not yet reach it level, maybe that I am not the only one who can’t stand the sound of the flute.

If you know any nice sample of what flute should sound, can you send me a link?

At least we know who is following my step! Cheers Katie!

Am I hearing right?

Do you ever wonder if you are hearing right or that when you have a little doubt that you may be missing out some sound that you once heard it before?

Whether you have recently lost your hearing or you just have cochlear implant, it is always useful to get yourself check out to make sure you are not missing out much. It might be because your device is slowing down that need repair or that you are not feeling ill, tired and often find people repeating the same sentence back to you. I may wear the cochlear implant after wearing them for 4 months and I still get people repeating themselves to me even though I heard them first time. Without getting myself annoyed, I often remind them that they repeat themselves how many times they have said it. Although, I have discovered that it will not make any difference. They still do it!

Maybe I was giving them a blank look without knowing what to say back and people often have to repeat themselves. Me mam often told me that I do that but how else do I respond???

Any advise anyone?

New sounds

I am well overdue for updating the blog and I am very sorry but what can I said? People are demanding for my attention! Right let me just think back on what have been happening.... mmm ah yes.

It was about two weeks ago I believed, when I went for the hearing therapy to practice on sound and hearing speech. I had to do some book test to see if i follow the reader. I had no problem with this. I used to do this with me mam when I was young. Now then, Karen, my hearing therapy, was gonna make the test tougher for me. She gave me a sheet of paper with words that said.... "In the morning, I...." I had to listen to the rest of the sentence and repeat what was being said. I thought this may be too soon as I had my implant for at least over a month since the switch on. To my surprised, I actually passed my test 5 out of 5. I was amazed. I wish you have seen my face when I did it. I kept wondering how did this happened?

Later that week, Giles came along with me to Poulton-Le-Fylde where I grew up. I remember the village being so quiet, not much traffic around. Just the countryside. Nice and peaceful. All this with my hearing aids and now with the cochlear implant.... Well, its deffo not quiet at all! We walked around through many parks and I was hearing all sort of things that I could not pick my fingers on... What is that noise? I asked Giles. Giles then told me its the birds. We saw two little birds singing their little hearts out. They were really loud! If you are interesting in seeing what we get up to during our trip please click on this link "Our day out"

Another amazing things have happened. I went to the Ear Foundation in Nottingham with the rest of the Bionic Group as well all the other cochlear implantees and wannbe who I have met online for the first time. We have chatted about the experiences we had with the implant and to meet the experts who designed the Advanced Bionic (thats the product that I have) and Phonak who designed the hearing aids, wireless microphone and loop systems. Now then, I was really interested in wireless microphone FM which would be useful for me as I often meet my clients in noisy environment, or go to seminar where there would be so many people about and I need to hear small group of people. I am hoping to get one of those. Its not gonna be cheap!

Another equipment as Katie has mentioned on her blog about using the telephone. We learnt a new way to practice on the phone using the bluetooth ear hook. Its not attached to the mobile phone as the mobile phone do have bluetooth setting in them so this make it practical for people like us to use the phone and actually have conversation with someone. When I tried it out with a guy using another phone in the same room, he asked me to switch to T setting and see if I could pick up what he said. He turned around to avoid me cheating as I may lipsread him. So he asked "What are you having for dinner?" I repeat what he says. I was spotted on. I was amazed. People said that coz I had my implant for over a month and that it was too early for me to pick up anything on the phone. They were amazed that I've managed quite well.

I'm really pleased with the process that I have come so far. People may not realised how much effort we have to listen to everyday sound, the figure of speech and speak clearer as much as possible. I lipsread most of my life and still trying to break that habit. I will get there somehow.

Hearing speeches through C.I

Hearing speeches through the cochlear implant after a month do sound a little strange if not practice speeches with anyone. A little confidence do go a long way. I was happy that I finally get to see my family again over the weekend so I was told to go to Fylde to meet me mam as she was coming to stay at her friend's place. I took the train and was hearing all sort of sounds that I never knew it was suppose to happen. The sound of the trains door making beeping noises. I remember constantly pressing the button to get out but the button won't be active until the beep. Ah well. Now I know!

Anyway, got to see me mam and her friend, then we got talking all evening. The more I talk and the more I listen to people voices. Although I can't tell the difference of the tones yet as they all sound the same at the moment. A bit rubbish that! I knew me mam's voice is deep but I was not hearing it in the way that I knew of. I guess the wide of tones will come in time.

I asked me mam to do this test that we used to do as part of my training to pronounce the words better. Something fun but clever. This test really do help me speak better as time come.

Betty boughts a bit of butter,
But she found the butter bitter,
So she boughts a better butter,
To make a bitter butter better.

I had to said it faster and faster until I was confidence enough to know that I have said it right and clearly. Believe me its work! Please try out few rhymes.

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper,
A peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper Pickled,
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper
Where's the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked?

Here is another from Elvis Presley's lyric in Queenie Wahine

Queenie Wahine's Papaya rates higher than pineapple, pumpkin or poy
Please pick her papaya put Queenie Wahine in perfect perpetual joy
'Though some people's palates prefer pickled salads
For pudding pick popcorn peach pie
Oh Queenie's papaya you'll truly desire
When that Queenie Wahine passes by

Let me know how'd you get on! :D

One Month On.....

It is one month since I had my switched on today and I must said that its have been very interesting but emotional. Everything that I have heard of before the implant I knew what it was suppose to sound like (only in the low pitches) I must remember that I had 25 years of experience wearing the hearing aids. All this may not mean anything now since I have the Implant............. but I won't think like that. Why?

All the trainings that I have had when growing up would paid off. I had speech therapy which didn't work out and often had me mam to be my speech therapy as she wasn't impressed with the staff at the time. (Good on ya mam!)

The training that I was talking about was something that me Mam used to do when I was a kid. A bedtime story that she used to read to me and my brother. I knew all the words of the story after Mam had read to us so many times. As she was reading the story, she quite often said few different words that doesn't belong to the story and I picked up on that and told her off. I bet she was just testing to see how much that I actually picked up.

Now I did that test again at the hearing therapy with my implant and I must admit that this training have paid off. I was given a book to follow the person who read it out and asked me where she has left it off to see if I was following her alright. Surely enough I did. I even told her that she didn't said one word that was written in the book. She was killing herself laughing thinking that I should be doing her job. Such a nice feeling.

I have now been given a book on tape so I could practice some more on speeches.

For one month, I have already had my 5th mapping and for this reason, I had my switch on before Christmas and the C.I Center was closed during the Holiday. I was given a regular tuning/mapping to update the sound that I was hearing. There were few tried and failed but at least we may have sorted the problem. (will let you know on that) Everytime I had my tuning, within few minutes after my tuning, the sound that was once loud and comfortable for me to hear had startled to disappeared within minutes. The audiology staff couldn't understand why this happened and rang up the company who made the Advacned Bionic for advice. I am one of the few people have this expereince. They suggested that I should have a wider range of frequencies and see if that will work. Let hope it will be better that will last longer.

Ya know I was telling the audiology about people talking about the beeping sound that they usually hear with the Pedestrian crossing traffic. Before I went into my 5th mapping, I didn't heard it and was wondering how it was sound. I knew it would make some sound. Now after the 5th mapping, I heard it. its quite loud and it had some little dong in between the higher frequency. I even heard the pram wheels rattles over the clobber stones. Took me a while to figured that out. Another sound was, I switched my mobile phone with sound on for a change and somehow the mobile phone was covered by paperwork that I was dealing with at the time. The phone went off. whoo whoo If only you could see the excitement on my face hearing new things. I still have a lot of work to do on speech without reading the visual words but that will come.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!

Well its better be late than never eh! I have been busy having a little holiday before I get back to work. I have created this little movie for people who are special to me with their supports and the fun we have had. I hope you have enjoy the movie as much as I have. Any feedback are welcome! Mind you, I think we will hear more from Katie! mmm wonder why!




Enjoy!

Communication Technology

Keeping in touch with people is a big deal for everyone. In the oldest days, everyone write a letter to their love ones no matter where they are. The postman was invented during the war to encourage the soldiers spirit up while they fight for their country. Then Morse code & Telegram came along which was the newer technology to get the urgent information faster. As I think about the past, information were pretty much pass on via word by mouth. How do a deaf person pick up all these information quickly as possible? I won't have a clue.  Were people back then speak more freely than we do these days?

I am glad I was not born in the oldest day. I must admit I love my gadgets. I need them for staying in touch with people, friends, family and business alike.

Most of us know we need our Mobile which provide SMS, online msn or facebook. or even youtube. we couldn't live without it. Why not use the land line? Its far too complicated. We don't just pick the phone up and dial the number. We can't hear it without special equipment. The much volume was needed. I have a text phone although I do not know anyone who have a textphone and have never used it for over 6 years. Its like an alien to me. There is some kind of service who tell the caller what we typed and type back what the caller have said. This is called TypeTalk. Although the service have not been good as far as I am aware of, its just not a best way to stay in touch with someone who are relative via typetalk and talk for hours. won't it be awkward having someone reading our private information? Nah this doesn't sound good.


Recently, I have been using Skype which its another way of communication. Similar to Msn but better video and great sound. I may have got out of the hospital over a week ago and I still have one hearing aid on. Sound may seem odd but I think my brain have focus all on my left ear to adapt the balance so I could understand what people are saying. I have my friend on Skype. put the webcam on and then we talk to each others without typing the messages. There were few times I had to lipsread what my friend were saying but I think I have managed very well. If there any doubt he would message me what was that I have missed out. Funny though, he didn't have to message me very much. He was chatty, all smiling, such a charmer he is. (He will be reading this! hello!:) )

I only know the basic Signs language but never needed to use it unless there are other deaf people who need it the most. I will do my best to pick up some signs language if you help me out. Anyway, there was no signs language needed while on the webcam. just talking. Isn't that a nice feeling. W must have been talking over 4 hrs! How on earth did we get to talk for 4hrs about everything, light to photography, focus imaging, music, website and many more.

This is not possible for any deaf person. There is no possible reason how I have managed to communicate with him. I mean I have one hearing aid and i'm waiting for the switch on next week... how did i managed? I reckon using my skills that I have learned while growing up to lipsread and figure out what a person would said next. It take a lot of practices . As soon as I will get my switch on... I'm gonna practice talking to people via skype with video on and listen as much as possible. Can't wait!

Side Effect Week one

For people who are curious what sort of side effect that I went through in Week one.

Thursday 27th Nov :  The day of the operation.  talking too much was a sign of being nervous and trying to make people laugh.  Coming out the operation I was deffo sound very merry as I mentioned about having a nice dream. This could be the drug making me happy and relaxed.  5mins later  was demanding food and water.  The first 4 hours into the recovery, I had bad taste in my mouth (This is very common side effect) This soon come back after eating and drinking a lot.  The drug do make me feel so dry that I wanted to drink all day. This gave me excuse to keep going to the little room and I found out that my balance were all over the place. The nurse was so good to me and helped me walk across the room.  I am for one, hate asking for help but since I was in the hospital... I wasn't afraid to ask for help.. NURSE!!!!!    My balance went back to normal. Thanks goodness for that.  The worse bit of today was the tinnitus.  It was so loud I couldn't find a way to calm it down. No hearing aid for that ear since it was patched up in thick bandage. :(      No sleep at all due to discomfort.... I was so glad to bring my ipod with me so I could fall asleep.

28th Nov Friday..... Tinnitus did not calm down.  The air pressure was really tight.  Few odd dizzy spells whenever I got up too quick or looking down....  

 (what ever you do  Don't     Look    Down!!!)      

Bandage came off today and the doctor came to tell me that the operation went very well and need the xray to make sure its in the right place.    Surely enough it was. I then could go home with a little help from my friend, Simon, who lets me lend on him as we walk back home as long we pop by to the McDonald as I was very hungry. Always thinking of food! mmm    Think I got about 6hrs sleep sleeping on the wrong side.   it was very difficult to sleep on the side where I am not used to.  The drug would knock me out.  

29th Nov Sat :  Happy birthday to me!!!!!!   Tinnitus still not calm down. air pressure still very tight. took some pain killer to calm it down.  Since its my birthday and I am suppose to be resting, Danny came by to treat me a movie night while he munching my birthday cake....  charming! lol     After he left, I felt more tired so were pretty much sleeping all evening.   

30th Nov Sunday    Tinnitus starting to calm down a bit. Hair feel grogging. dry blood everywhere. good thing I'm not blond!   Nothing much happened this day.... How very boring. I was expected guests but they said they would come tomoz.

1st Dec Monday....   moping around wondering what to do.  My brother was supposed to come round. I was running around the flat looking for something to do. I would do my work but I could not focus properly.  get easily tired.   My brother and his family came round at last!  Something to do.  I was a bit concerned about climbing these stairs. I couldn't move my head very much due to the tape behind my ear.   My nephew certainly made me smile watching him doing some silly cute things.   I noticed that my brother was getting tired and wanted to go home.  I took this chance to get him to give me a lift to the nearer train station so I could go to Mam's. In Scotland!   "You are mad" my brother says.  "you can't go out there with your thingy exposed to the air! "   Forgive me for I have sin, for being bored at home but I don't care. I'm going out and no one can stop me.  

I managed to get to Scotland with no problem. Pretty much slept most of the journey.  Mam thoughts I was crazy to do it.  Well I am crazy anyway.    

2nd Dec  I slept well this time with no pain and my hair was still unwashed, all dry blood.  What can i do?  If I wash it too soon, there is a risk of infection?  There have been some theory about the hair oil have something in them that keep the ozone neutral and less chance of getting infection.  Best to leave it unwashed for few more days then.  no pain killer was taken 

3rd Dec Had enough of my hair looking a right mess.  I looked like a tramp. I can't be Audrey Hepburn with the hair like this, could I?  No This is no good.  I can't stop touching my ear.  its so numb it can't feel anything. I flicked my fingers to my ear to bring it back alive.  I did this all day!  :S   funny enough it did came back! :)     Mam agreed she would helps me to wash my hair.  well mostly on the left side (not implant area)   she was scared to touch let alone see it! poor mam!  she did well to get some washed.   Tinnitus have gone quiet although I can still hear it.   No pain at all

4th Dec   Couldn't sleep at all. could this be caused by washing my hair?   this could be the case! mmm    some odd dizzy spells  nothing else.  

5th Dec  Went home to Manchester to be ready for the Xmas lunch party tomoz  with Steve and the Bionic Manchester group. I'm looking forward to it.  slept on the train back. Think I have touched the part that, hurt a little.  Serve me right for sleeping on the implant area. oops

Thats pretty much of the week really!   All I can said is that the side effect do calm down quite quickly and make sure I was active as much as possible as well with plenty of rest, laughter, play with cats, treat Mam out for dinner, visited family. keep the mind off the pain.  Noone can believe how well I look.  I act as if it wasn't a week ago that I had the operation.  It certainly doesn't feel like a week.   

Next topic will be about the air pressure. Watch this space.

A little distraction

Hey Guys,

Its have been a week since I came out of the hospital and I thought I better let you know how I was getting on.   Well you know most people always said that if we have the operation, we really should be resting and stay in bed til we recovered, right?

Well, I got news for you.... I got bored of sitting around and watching daytime tv which I haven't seen for a long time and its rubbish. How do people find it entertaining?   My friends were all working. My brother and his little family had to go to Scotland for weekend as he had some wedding video to do.  Me Mam happens to lives in Scotland and would let my brother stay over while she could enjoyed her time getting to know her grandson.

So thats my family away and my friends all disappeared..... I got to the stage that I will not be sitting around doing nothing.  After 4 days since I came back from the hospital I did my best to get as much rest as I needed then I contacted me mam that I will be taking the train to Scotland to stay for few days.    I didn't mind the fact that she would be working while I would stay at her house for few days. At least I have some company.    

Guess who is this little cutie!    

                  

                  

This is Mitizi.  She is so much fun to be with. As soon as I came in, I picked her up, she climbed to my back then rubs her head against mine.  She was happy to see me but never left me alone.

This sort of treatment is perfect for someone who need a little distraction from any pain. Pet do their job to make you smile.

 Mitizi certainly done that for me. :D

A Day before the ops

This is it, guys. 

Its a day before the operation and I'm freaky scared.  People have been so unbelievable supportive.  I never seen anything like this before.  I have thought I would be going through this on my own and I've end up having all my friends, new, old, family and close friends, all gathering up just to be with me. Its amazing. 

Mam finally made peace with me about a week ago. I am so glad about that. I didn't want to regret anything that was being said or done before the ops.  Just let it go and move on.  Tomoz is the day that my life will change.  I will be letting her know whats happening throughout my stay at the hospital. 

This month have been amazing. I have been to Perth in Aus to see my father, Ian as I called him, spent some time relaxing, laughing around. Didn't have a care in the world. Came back feeling like a new woman ready to battle with everyday life and  went to visited my old friends in Blackpool to catch up with them. When I have told them the news about having the implant, they were so excited that they want to see the result.  

I even got to see my lovely nephew, Jim Jam, my brother and his girlfriend, Shelly. (Thanks you for your support.) Jim jam has deffo took everything off my mind. He is quite a character and I am looking forward to hear him to say some  new words.

Meanwhile, I have made new friends, Katie and her boyfriend, Richard and Abi through the Ciug Group for people who have or thinking about getting Cochlear implant. These lovely people came over to my place over the weekend to celebrate my birthday even though my birthday is on the 29th November. Due to the fact that the operation is 2 days before my birthday, I might as well have it a week before.    The time went by so fast and I have enjoyed every minutes being with them. How they make me laugh, cried and most important is ..... .....its being supportive.   Thank you for being there.

Right now, sitting here at my desk,  I am getting some kind of flashback. A flashback from when i was a little girl.  Just starting primary school in a public main school with a small unit for the deaf.  I remember having to wear a massive box that sit by my chest with wires to go into my ears. It was not an ordinary hearing aids that we know of today but the box I had to wear... I made every efforts to hide them, covering it with thick jumper and make me look like i had a pillow underneath it. The funny bit was the fact it was during the spring/summer time.  I guess I was so ashamed of it. I was just a little girl. Just wanted to be an ordinary looking girl. The years goes by and thankfully the box have disappeared. I was able to wear the hearing aids behind the ears hiding them with my long hair.    I still do this and will probably carry on for the rest of my life.  People tell me to have my hair up and show them.  I couldn't do it.  I just happen to think that the ears shape are not very attractive to look at.  

I remember when I used my deafness to get what I wanted.  For example, I went to see Scissor Sisters concert and I had a ticket  with seat that goes way back, way from the stage. Unable to make out what was happening or what the singer was singing. I was thinking how much the ticket actually cost me just to enjoy something that i can't make out what was happening.  I decided to do something about it. I saw the staff and explained that I am "deaf"  (I quoted deaf coz its the only way people understand, but I define myself "hard of hearing") . I said to him "I am deaf and I can't hear what is going on. I need to lipsread them to follow".  so what did the staff do?   He let me go right at the front row just by the vip area. :)   I was able to follow everything that was being said. It was awesome.    

Looking back, I think I have done well with what I have used with my hearing aids.  Make the best  out  of it and trained the brain to listen whatever possible.  

The most important lesson is..............  Never give up. 

A little more

A little more of this and that... a guide to when things going tough.... no I'm not talking about Boyzone's song When get going gets tough     Mind you its a good sample song to uplift your spirit but please..... this song is cheesy!   

When things are tough and your almost coming to end of the waiting list from getting the cochlear implant....   You will deffo need your family and friends to help to distract you as much as possible.  Thinking about it all the time will just drive you insane.  24/7  thinking what will happen, will anything go wrong? and many questions that will stay in the head until  you just have to say to yourself....... "get a grip"      

Now that I am over this phrase I think I will be fine......     tell me if I am not or better.. just slap my face lol

I have recently joined (actually September 2008)  the group called yahoo ciug   which its like email the forum about the helps and supports about cochlear implant who have been through the similar experiences.  This is great way to meet new people who I have never came across anyone like me before. Growing up with hearings aid, speaks but never use signs language.     I was a bit surprised that there are so many.     

I have yet to meet these people from the group which I will be meeting them in Manchester next Saturday and they are all staying at my place......   I think I need to get lot of vibrating alarm clocks do i?    

When things get going tough and you need someone who could snap you out of it, get your close friend to do the slapping.  lol  I am joking.    The best thing you can do is talk to someone let it out of your system.  You may not be sleeping well and you are constantly worry..... you are  gonna  make yourself ill and will not be fit for the ops...  you won't want to wait another month do you?    so go on, make yourself a nice proper meal, bake cakes, play games, go out and  visit family, do crazy things as you can.... and before you know it......... its time.  A new start!  

so come on.... let party.  

Source of my new service

Thought I write a post about my service for a change since its been on my mind in the last few days.  

The last few days I have been thinking about advertising in number of places with the deaf charity , RNID, SEE Hear, Deaf News and they are all asking like lot of money to place the ads apart from see hear (emailed them 8 times but still no respond)

You may be wondering what I am doing wrong... basically I think I know why.  I grew up being in hearing world with no connection or any idea what deaf connection there were until now. I've joined the yahoo site about the cochlear implant recommend by Alison from facebook.  I thought it was interesting how people get together and talk about their experience I've never knew existed.  Its lovely to have that little connection.  

Anyway, I had few people saying that my new service with subtitles are excellent idea and only wish they had it few years ago.  Well what can I said?   I was still in Uni back then :P

How I came up with this idea is that I met a girl who used to be my best friend in primary school and had not seen her for 15 years.  She has got married a year before and were showing me her wedding album and then the DVD slideshow provided by another photographer.  

The DVD slideshow were very nice. lovely music, singing softly,  showing all the colour images  (not much effect I would say) just simple looking kind)  then half way through the DVD , it was showing the speeches. My friend, then fast forward it. 

 "Wait an minute, what are you doing?" I said

"Sorry, but I dunno what was being said. Its no point for me to watch through all that"  she says.

This got me thinking.....   She got an wedding album, a dvd slideshow with images and speeches that she will never know what was being said.    isn't that a waste of money to have speech on it if she can;t hear what was being said?   

So I went away, did some research looking for subtitles service in weddings.  nope not one.  

I believe it is time for a new change. plus  I hear there is a lack of funding for the deaf charity, deafness research. They are always looking for funding, new service, new staff, support, technology, spaces, notetakers, hospital funds.  The list just go on.  I remember growing up and i was in main stream school   and I was supposed to have a notetaker in my classes which I didn;t received.  This is coz of lack of staff and funding.  Apparently I did very well with some help from my hearing friends.  Thanks mates! :)

Subtitles test -  to be honest.... I self taught myself on how to get subtitles on the videos, movies and everything.   So now that I am ready for the challenge..... This is where I need you all to come in...

You know a lot of people who  would be interested in having subtitles on their dvd slideshow.

Please download this image which its a flyer  and you can then pass them around to people or give a link to this blogspot or to my website.  Bear in mind, that the first 100 customers will get subtitles free. So don't miss out.

I'm not doing it for me.. alright I enjoy the challenges. Thats all I want really.  

The real reason is to help people like us who will be growing up having the most available support they will be needed.  

 Together we will make the difference.

My view before being implanted

Hey everyone,

Thought I should start the blog  about my journey to the cochlear implant.  Some of you already know that I will be having the operation very soon. Date have not yet been confirmed.  

I wanna write about my view of sound that I do hear with my hearing aids and how i can look back to this after i had the implant switched on.  Thought its a great idea. Don't you think?  Glad you agree with me.

The sound that I can hear right now i am in my room in Manchester 2nd floor apartment. The window is open and i can hear the sound of the traffic going by all the time. mostly the sirens go off all the time. I can tell the difference between the police, ambulance and fire engine sirens.   if you don't know the difference well I could explain.  The ambulance sound like wailing  its sound goes up high and went low again in a slow pace.    fire engine is nee naw nee naw most of the time. the police was tricky one  to explian really  they have two sort of sounds.  one of them is waazz wazz and its very loud. very annoying. i had to shut my window to block it.  the other one   .... i can't remember ...  need the police siren to come back so i could tell you.   i will come back to you on this.  

my door to the hallway is behind me and i could hear my flatmate and my neighbour (both hearing) chatting in the kitchen.  don't ask me what they said coz i dunno.  i just know who is talking by the tone of their voice. thats how i can managed to hear things set by tone.

the more i am used to that tone the more i understand it.

I am very much a music lover. music is a great passion of mine. I do hear music but hearing the lyrics for the first time is very hard to understand so bascially most of my life i had to learn the lyrics over and over til i knew all the words. its may be annoying to some people hearing same song all the time but in the long run i was tuning myself in to this song.  understandly the meaning of the song and lyrics to go with it. the tone of the lead vocal singing in low and sad or high when they are reaching out that kind of message. it gave me a shiver with the hair standing up on my neck. its that powerful. 

Oh i would love to compare how this song will be like with the implant.  Most of you called CI but i rather called them implant   as in computering term word (I'm a geek, incase you dunno.  yea a cool geek:)  )    I will let you know my view after i hear some music with the implant.  can't wait

Coldplay is really cool band and i would love to go to their concert.  most of the time in the past I went to concert to see Robbie williams, Ant & Dec, Scissor sisters and many more  I used my hearing as an excuse to get to the front.  It worked and i lipsread the artist most of the way so that I could understand what they were singing or talking about.   some i missed out of course.  

I went to music festival couple of times and i have enjoyed but  i missed out quite a lot..... :(  the sound was too loud for me to adapt what was happening and had to relies on what my friends were singing a long to.  not much fun but after few drinks and it goes in to your head   what does it matter anyway? :)  

Get down to the sound   was the quote from bill and ted movie. incase u didn't know!

its also from a song in heavy metal band. awesome!  

sound i can hear are mostly background noises but if the background is loud and a person is talking to me..... forget it  i can't hear this person no chance.    i was trying to train my brain to focus on this person with my hearing but had no luck. i have 4 settings on my hearing aids.  set one normal sound. set 2  cut off background (to make it quiet)  set 3 T loop system  mainly use this to listen to my ipod cable free T-link set 4 fm  direct connect   suppose to use ipod for this but i hate being connect to anything.   unless I am in places where t loop system will cause feedback which mean i won't hear music from my ipod.

for the first time I will be using the fm setting when i go on plane to aus in a month time.  i just hope my ears will handle the air pressure on the plane for a long time as i had many bad experience in the past. the pressure to my ears was unbearable painful and discomfort.  I switched off my hearing aids while on the plane as i find the noises too much plus the batteries seem to ran out very quickly.  

must leave a note to myself here......... Manda....... remember to bring your spare batteries!!!!! 

i could write forever about sound that i hear but i won't brag about it right now....     just looking at my blog..... its quite long to read.  ah well  I hope this doesn't bored you.  Happy Reading.

Manda

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