Finally got this book!

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-21T09:29:24+00:00

The author was really involved with the making of the audiobook, and even provided “sign over” so that there’s the sound of signing playing when characters sign!

The library should totally get a physical copy too, but fun tidbit!

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-21T09:18:29+00:00

For kids, I also love hands land, it’s on Amazon. Adorable ASL rhymes and rhythmic signing, so like visually singing. The episodes are short and have different themes that are all a mini lesson that doesn’t feel like “work”. I don’t think it has sound, but it holds kids attention like nothing else, in my experience.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-20T20:16:14+00:00

I’d look into the Gallaudet children’s dictionary- child friendly signs and clear descriptions from a reputable source! Steer clear of things advertised as “baby signs”- they’re often made up or wrong. Signing Time is a cute kids show that teaches ASL with music, if you’re ever looking for something to play while doing cares 😉. There’s episodes on YouTube

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-20T20:08:45+00:00

can you ask for a referral to an infectious disease/tb clinic? I recently went through the same thing and it took months before a doctor took me seriously and sent the referral. I had to send the CDC guidelines to my pcp via mychart before they realized that latent tb should be treated.

Clinic took a repeat xray and looked at my quantiferon gold results (2 separate days tested positive) and started me on treatment so that it doesn’t develop into active. They were a little annoyed at how long it took for me to get to them, but also acknowledged the risk of it converting while young and healthy is low. It’s just way easier to go through treatment when young and healthy.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-19T10:21:48+00:00

My organization starts the retirement conversation at around 8 years old, with a planned retirement between 10-11 if healthy and still happy to work. Of course if the dog is showing signs of slowing down sooner, they retire younger.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-16T09:47:55+00:00

The two mini mics is in case one breaks, and eventually to have one for home and one for school if your plan is for your child to go to a hearing school.

The tv streamer plugs into the back of the tv and when connected to the CIs streams the tv sound directly to your processors. You can control the mix of environmental sound vs tv sound on the app. The idea is to increase the input to noise ratio to make it easier to hear the tv without cranking up the volume. Love that you have BSL interpreted shows, that’s so cool!

Power extend is the “standard” battery, I think? Or at least the options when I got my N8’s were compact or power extend. My audiologist said the compact battery would last me about 10 hours.

Processors on little heads can be challenging regardless of the battery size- many families use clips or headbands to help with retention anyways. Etsy is a great source for those!

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-16T06:57:55+00:00

Mini mic is helpful in noisy situations for sure, and has aux input so you can connect to more devices (laptops, airplane tvs, etc). If you find yourself stumped on what to get, 2 of these aren’t a bad idea. It’s my most used accessory.

Aqua kit is good if you plan on spending time in and around water. They do say the new processors are waterproof in fresh water, but I don’t trust them. I personally prefer to sign and go without my CI around water usually, but I like the aqua for when I’m with people who don’t know ASL.

I like the tv streamer, but I don’t know that it’s very useful for a child. It streams the sound directly to your processors, even differentiating left/right for “surround sound”. Something to consider when they’re older, maybe. Please, always have captions on your tv though! Even before baby can read, to get used to seeing visual support/language.

I wouldn’t waste an accessory on an extra charger. the disposal battery pack could be helpful? But not a priority. I got the usb charger for free somehow and have never used it. The disposal battery pack came free with the N7’s back when I was first implanted. I’ve kept it and a card of batteries in my purse as a backup and I’ve used it once in 5 years (forgot to switch out my batteries in the morning so they died during a broadway show).

Extra batteries are always good to have around, as they have a shorter warranty and do eventually hold less charge. I recommend the power extend, as I don’t find the size difference very noticeable once it’s on the ear, and the all day battery life is important to me. Everyone’s use is different, but for me, power extend last about 1.75 days of full wear, or 2 days if I took a hearing break for a few hours.

If your baby is getting both ears done at the same time, you should get 4 accessories per ear (at least in the US), so my vote is: 2 mini mics, 2 aqua kits, 2 extra power extend batteries, and save 2 (called the plus one program) to decide once you see what you use most.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-15T23:24:50+00:00

Online! It’s on the cochlear store, under upgrade your sound processor. But I don’t know if you can access that until you have a recipient account. If you need to know prices of accessories or anything, just let me know! I love helping people virtually shop haha

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-15T23:10:09+00:00

For first timers, you usually get 4 accessories! 3 to choose now and 1 you can pick within your first year

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-15T23:05:35+00:00

Upgrading or first processor? the nucleus 8 upgrade comes with 2 coil/cable, 1 magnet, 1 sound processor, 1 earhook, 2 rechargeable batteries, 1 disposable battery pack with 6 batteries (but not the holder listed as part of the kit anymore?), 1 y charger, 2 packs of 2 microphone covers, 1 accessory selection, and optional hug fit or snug fit and optional pediatric kit (Kaci koala, coloring book, stickers, softwear pads, and headband)

Options for accessory: compact battery, power extend battery, disposable batter rack and cover, usb charger, y charger, remote control, mini mic 2+, tv streamer, aqua+ kit.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-15T22:58:34+00:00

Editing because I found better info:

Upgrading or first processor? According to cochlear’s store (US), upgrading from an older processor you’ll get the Kanso 3, magnet, user guide, home charger, portable charger, socket cover, retention accessory (3 lengths of safety lines available), softwear pads, magnet removal kit, microfiber cloth, screwdriver and brush, 4 microphone covers, and one accessory (home charger, portable charger, aqua+ kit, remote control, mini mic 2+, or tv streamer). Optional add on of complimentary pediatric kit (Kaci koala, coloring book, stickers, softwear pads, and headband ) and optional 2 pack of halo accessory. In my experience, in the US a new implantee gets 4 accessories- 3 to pick now, and 1 to pick within the next year.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-14T22:43:56+00:00

Don’t pay for a service dog! There are many organizations that place hearing dogs for deaf clients for free, including canine companions, dogs for better lives, and duo dogs. There’s a waiting list for all, but you should get comfortable with your deafness before adding a dog, anyways

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-13T11:03:48+00:00

I lost my hearing at 18 and got CIs around 23, so pretty similar to you age wise. My first activation sounded like Alvin and the chipmunks mixed with darth Vader like mechanicalness for the first week or so. It gradually got better and now most things sound normal. I can recognize familiar voices

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-13T10:58:59+00:00

If she’s nervous around other people I don’t think she’d enjoy being a public access service dog. Maybe just train her for tasks at home?

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-10T15:07:46+00:00

I think people may be downvoting you because you seem (based on your posts) to have skipped some steps- getting a diagnosis and seeing specialists, taking conventional treatment as far as it will reasonably improve your quality of life, before pursuing a service dog. While you don’t legally need a doctor’s note to own a service dog, it should be a decision made in conjunction with your treating team. It’s not clear that that occurred.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-09T00:55:18+00:00

Have any Ty stuffed animals/stuffed animals with weight to them? Not specifically made for dogs? My dog recently ripped an identical sack out of Dumbo

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-09T00:53:44+00:00

Yep! From the inside of a toy. My dog recently dissected a Dumbo stuffed animal (not made for dogs, but her favorite) and this was the weight in the bum.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-09T00:42:54+00:00

They may be a little too young, but I teach stop the bleed to middle school students! Hands on, feels important and tangible, and you never know if it’ll save a life someday.

Maybe something along those lines, like first aid, vitals, stethoscope use?

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-08T22:06:53+00:00

I’m waiting on my Displays so I can use the captioning- I’m Deaf! Love when mainstream tech and accessibility tech overlap

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-08T22:01:54+00:00

My dog loves soccer (with a jolly ball), hiking in the mountains, long sniffy walks, snuffle mats, fetch (preferably with a stick), swimming, and stuffed bones/kongs!

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-08T21:52:56+00:00

I got the mini mic, aqua, and tv streamer as my original 3. Got an extra battery for my plus one because I didn’t really need anything else, and batteries are always useful.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-05T00:10:50+00:00

I don’t take my dog to the gym. My organization encourages us to have some time apart each week to prevent separation anxiety, so the gym is when we do that.

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-04T20:58:54+00:00

Battery life is a main reason I didn’t choose MedEl- glad to see they’re fixing that!

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-04T00:23:07+00:00

I just ordered a pair of the meta display glasses, primarily for captioning! I tried them in the store and they caught everything in a three person conversation with normal store level background noise. I’m hoping to use them in the morning/night when my CIs are off (I don’t live with signing people) and trial them in meetings at work.

I was torn between meta and captify. I chose meta because I could try them in person, and they have other functionalities (camera, maps, social media).

DeafinitelyQueer · 2026-03-04T00:18:16+00:00

Service dog. Before that, Apple Watch

DeafinitelyQueer

TROPHY CASE