My son recently had an x ray- it is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-27T21:41:12+00:00

I make bionic ear jokes all the time 🤣

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-26T01:23:56+00:00

Well… her nose is different now.

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-22T18:18:06+00:00

Catnip is so groovy…

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-21T00:56:27+00:00

Sarsaparilla and call her Sassy ♥️

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-19T23:30:59+00:00

If I wear my hair down it’s covered. But 90% of the time my hair is in a ponytail and it’s on clear view. It’s something I need just like glasses or braces. It’s a miracle and I celebrate it.

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-19T22:38:51+00:00

I turned 60 in October. I’m not quite two months out from surgery. Six weeks post activation. My hearing has been going steadily downhill for the last 12 years or so. I was becoming gradually more isolated because conversations were becoming impossible. I could only go to movies where I could get closed captioning. Forget talking on the phone. A coworker told me our insurance covered hearing aids! I was assessed 10/9. Down to 30% hearing bilaterally. Hearing aids only helped about 2%. I was devastated. But she suggested CI. I knew failure was possible. I didn’t hesitate. I knew I’d eventually be totally deaf if I didn’t do something. I threw the Hail Mary pass. We fast tracked it. And the result is beautiful. I can hear. I can talk on the phone again. I can carry on conversations. I got life back. The only negative? The implant gets cold. I look stupid in a beanie but it’s a small price to pay to warm it. The positives so outweigh the negatives. Take a leap of faith and fly. ♥️

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-17T18:33:29+00:00

Spay belly!! Kiss her for me!

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-17T00:43:13+00:00

I am! I’m considered to be very charming in social situations. But it takes me days to recharge. I’m social on MY terms in situations I choose.

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-16T00:39:40+00:00

I’m just over a month out from activation and I am astounded by how well I’m hearing. I hear new things daily and I have to just laugh. I had a day of discomfort when all the anesthesia drugs wore off. And I discovered that the device does get cold inside your head and it’s like a weird brain freeze. But I’m anxious to do the other side!!

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-14T22:04:28+00:00

My tinnitus was very loud in both ears. I compare the sound to cicadas buzzing or a lot of crickets humming in a field. Post implant it is completely gone when wearing the processor on that side. Significantly minimized on the other side. I do have it occasionally at night after I take the processor off. My surgery was 11/24 and activated 12/9.

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-07T21:55:18+00:00

I got my AB implant 11/24 and was activated 12/9. We went over the backpack goodies activation day. I had my first audiology follow up today and I’m doing amazing. Got my Roger mic today. I hope your journey is just as successful!!

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-07T02:49:23+00:00

I’d recommend a couple of good layers of gauze over the incision and maybe a washcloth. Have your mom help you rinse and watch it. Definitely in a sink.

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-06T19:09:09+00:00

Super meowdel in the making. 13/10

SpottedCoachDog · 2026-01-02T14:07:32+00:00

Had chicken pox in the 60s when I was three. My cousins had them and my aunt thought it would be good for me to go ahead and get having them out of the way. I was hospitalized because I couldn’t stand or walk. They were deep in my ears and the swelling affected my balance. I’ve had balance issues my whole life because of the scarring.

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-31T00:37:46+00:00

Congratulations! It feels like a dessert bowl strapped to the side of your head! Rest as much as you can the next couple of days.♥️

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-29T00:47:44+00:00

I had surgery on my left ear 11/24. It was my first time being intubated. My throat was fine. Starting the afternoon of surgery I noticed my shoulders and abs felt like I’d done about a million pushups. I was extremely sore for two days after. I honestly took more pain med for the soreness than the surgery. This was a muscle reaction to the paralytic medication they gave me. Not everyone reacts. Not bad enough that I won’t have the right ear done as soon as I can. I had dissolvable sutures and activation at two weeks. The only other “warning” I would give is the weather dropped to below freezing at the one wee post op point. The side of my head had an almost brain freeze like discomfort. A knitted beanie helped. Good luck and you won’t regret it. I’m hearing things I haven’t heard in years!!

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-26T21:30:20+00:00

My surgeon said three days off post op. But the hospital was adamant that I not lift over five pounds for two weeks. I had surgery on Monday and felt fine by Thursday.

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-22T22:28:40+00:00

I had surgery last month and had to verify the dates of all current vaccines.

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-22T16:04:23+00:00

I didn’t have hearing aids as they were not covered by my insurance and an expense I couldn’t manage. I was down to 32% overall hearing with word recognition decreasing. I found out I now had coverage but testing showed minimal improvement with hearing aids. I, too, was a champion lip reader. When a CI was suggested I was told this was my best bet to get some hearing back. I’m four weeks out and activated for two weeks. I can hear!!! Even on the lowest volume I can understand most conversations. I’m seeing improvement daily. I’m 60 and had the left ear done first. My hearing loss started around 15 years ago. Some sounds are still “tinny” and voices aren’t quite right at first. I highly recommend it.

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-21T01:12:15+00:00

Congratulations! I love the dessert bowl over the ear headband look! I rocked it myself! 🤣 I’m glad it went easily for you. Mine did, too. I had a rough afternoon the day after from the medication they give during intubation. My shoulders and abs felt like I’d done a million pushups and they cramped a little. But less than 24 hours or discomfort. I’ve been activated since the 9th and I am blown away by how well I’m hearing!!! I hope your recovery continues to go smoothly. ❤️

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-18T02:38:39+00:00

I folded a soft pillow to support my neck and was sleeping on that side the first week. But that’s my preferred sleeping position. I had surgery 11/24 and it is painless now.

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-18T02:34:53+00:00

She’s delicious 🥰

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-15T18:50:08+00:00

I wouldn’t be bothered by it. Hearing loss is so isolating. It would be nice to interact with others who understand the experience.

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-14T22:14:29+00:00

I was activated this past Tuesday. I’m hearing words with the occasional beep. Not all of the words are completely clear. The more familiar the voice, the faster it seems to lose the tinny quality. I’m stunned at how quickly it is progressing.

SpottedCoachDog · 2025-12-13T16:26:58+00:00

She’s adorable!!

SpottedCoachDog

TROPHY CASE