Broken links and stale information

The site is being redeveloped and I apologise that many of the links and some information need to be updated. I am working on it. Do let me know when you find something that is broken. Updated information would be an added bonus! And tell me what other information you would like to find here. What topics will be useful?

Most pages have a link to leave a comment or you can use the contact form to get in touch with me directly.

Finding your way round the site

I’m developing the site substantially over the coming year. While this is happening, some of the navigation is probably going to be a bit haphazard. You’ll find some pages using the main menu bar near the top of the page and the sub-menu on the left. Others from the links under “Categories” in the sidebar on the right. I recommend you looking under both as they don’t link to the same pages. You can also use the search facility. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. At the moment, my priority is to get the information online somewhere as soon as possible. Streamlining navigation will take longer.

Live captions (“subtitles”) in the operating theatre

What can we do in the operating theatre where face masks prevent us lip-reading, the surgeon is looking down so we can’t see their face, or there’s too much background noise? Transparent face masks can help (awaiting link for further information). As can radio aids (also awaiting link.)

Amanda Mooneyham, a medical student in the US, is using live captioning* so she is able to take an active part in the learning situation in theatre, on an equal footing with her hearing colleagues. Continue reading “Live captions (“subtitles”) in the operating theatre”

So at last we are in business

Very exciting to receive a letter, at long last, arranging my admission and operation. I have to be at the RNTNE hospital, Greys Inn Road, London,  at 7.30am on the 24th March, fasted. I have to confirm that I will be there “by telephoning the number above…….”  Don’t they know I am deaf? Continue reading “So at last we are in business”

Stereo implant – do I or don’t I?

The stereo implant has one processor and array into that ear (cochlear) and an extension over to the other ear and an array into that cochlear. So binaural hearing from one implant. I was chatting online with someone with a cochlear implant and when I said which implant they were planning she was very negative. She said no way would she have the stereo and that the device was quite an old-fashioned one. Continue reading “Stereo implant – do I or don’t I?”

Deaf awareness

I don’t think the RNTNE hospital is any more deaf aware than anyone else!  I went back to the receptionist up at the pre-op assessment office and explained that I had problems lip reading as she smiles. I had guessed that she wanted me to take a seat from her gesture but she could have been  speaking Mandarin for all I could make out. I was going to do what we usually do and just get on with it, but then I thought about it and decided she could learn!! Continue reading “Deaf awareness”

Getting the go-ahead

Arrived at RNTNE hospital with minutes to spare for the appointment at 10.30am with the consultant “and Panel” (I had two letters telling me the appointment was at 10.30am). Checked in with the cochlear implant office and the lady looked bewildered. Said the consultant is not there on Monday morning and I must have it wrong. I produced a letter and she apologised profusely and said appointment was for 1.30pm. What a good thing I didn’t plan to do a clinic in the afternoon but booked the whole day off. Continue reading “Getting the go-ahead”

Questionnaires, tests, concerns and expectations

I have just returned from London and my appointments with the hearing therapist, and an audiologist for the final assessments. The hearing therapist re-did the comprehending speech without lip reading test – the one I hated last time Continue reading “Questionnaires, tests, concerns and expectations”