So I finally got a new mapping session for my cochlear implant!

Lost already?

A mapping session is where they reprogram my cochlear implant. It’s best to get it reprogramed every once a while so when my brain gets used to the sounds & volume then I can go in for another session to increase and adjust the program.

So anyways, about a month ago I got a brochure in the mail from the company of my cochlear implant (Advanced Bionics) about a new program called ClearVoice where it eliminates a lot of background noise so speech is more clear and easier to process/understand. They did a video clip (click on video demos) showing how it sounds if you’re curious.

So I immediately called my cochlear implant doctor’s office to schedule for an appointment. I met with the audiologist that works for the doctor and we went into her office. She threw me off at first because her voice was so high I wasn’t sure if she was doing that because I was deaf and thought it was easier for me to understand her….which it definitely was not helping at all!

She asked me to take my hearing aid off for the session and had me take my cochlear implant off too. She had to connect my cochlear implant to the program on her laptop.

I explained to her how the volume control was ridiculous. The most comfortable I could have it on was at 7AM of the wheel. She said it should be on at noon. So she turned it on to ask me if this was a comfortable setting and I jerked and immediately grabbed the cochlear implant off. It was extremely loud! I was surprised she didn’t have it on low to be safe then slowly increase it. So after a while we finally got it to be at noon.

I also asked her if she had a new stronger magnet for my cochlear implant because the one I had wasn’t strong enough. It kept falling off especially when people hug me or if I was laying down. So now I’ve got a stronger magnet and just that makes me happy!

So we proceeded with reprogramming my cochlear implant. I have 3 programs on my cochlear implant and she explained that she was going to have the program #1 be with background noise, program #2 with some background noise and program #3 with VERY LITTLE background noise.

So today my co-workers and I went out for lunch and I was finally able to test it by having it on program #3. Seriously, it made a big difference. I could hardly hear the background noise. I heard some but it was so quiet that I could ignore it easily and focus on speech and understanding my co-workers. But in order to not hear background noise, I had to turn my hearing aid down or off. I could really hear everything they were saying but it doesn’t mean I understood everything. I still have to lip-read to understand them.

Even when I’m driving home and have music blaring in the car with it on program #3, I can’t really hear the traffic! Looove it!

ClearVoice is AMAZING and I’m so excited! It makes me want to wear my cochlear implant everyday now.

So tonight Tyler and I started Day 1 of TurboFire. It took me a while to convince Tyler to do it with me tonight. He claimed he wasn’t feeling great. I told him to try it for a few minutes and if he still wasn’t feeling well then he could stop.

So we moved the coffee table out of the way and Tyler made me stand in front so I couldn’t really see him do the work out. Seriously!? He said it was a little bit embarrassing. I think I should be embarrassed…not him. There were some moves where I was too slow or doing it all wrong but I just kept moving. Of course, I can’t expect to be a pro on the 1st day. Tyler made it throughout the whole workout tonight. He can thank me now. :)

I’m NOT a morning person so I’ve decided to do the workouts immediately after I get home from work and before dinner. I’ll always find the time to do it. There’s actually 1,440 minutes in the day so no excuse!

Out of this experience, I’m excited to feel better mentally & physically and also to go to bed early in the evenings. I’m a night owl and have been going to bed between 12-1AM during the week. Ridiculous, I know!

I seem to lose motivation every time I start exercising so seriously…I want to change and I WILL make that happen.

Anyone doing TurboFire or a workout challenge to lose weight?

I’ve been getting asked a lot lately what photo apps I use with my iPhone. So I thought I’d share my favorite photo apps. These are only a few… I have way more downloaded on my iPhone but they’re ones that I wouldn’t recommend or don’t use anymore because I didn’t like them.

Usually my photos are done using 2-3 apps….not just one. Some filters are great and only look best done with another filter. So I’ll tell you which filters are my favorite within each app.

Luminance. The best thing I love about this app is that you can edit the layers of the filter you choose. The filters I use often are: Pop, X-Process, Instant, Lumi & Rouge.

BeFunkyFx. This app allows you to add frames too but I never use this part. I don’t like adding frames to my pictures since I use Instagram all the time. The effects I use from this app are: Color Process, Vintage 1, Vintage 2 & Vibrance. You can edit the amount of the “effect” you want to apply to your photo.

Camera+. Provides a lot of options with scenes, effects & borders. My favorite effect is “Night” because it brightens up the photos. {credit to MrsStephanieT for this suggestion}

Snapseed. This app is AMAZING! This is like Photoshop and it does really make the photos look way better. Worth the investment since this isn’t a free app.

Vintage Cam. Very simple with just some colorful filters. My favorite ones are: Theme Park, Rockstar & Morning.

ColorProcess. If I decide not to use Instagram for a photo, I always use ColorProcess. You can choose the processes you want to use: Red, Green, Blue, Basic & Extreme. I usually leave all on except for Extreme. Plus I love the border!

Phototreats. There are a lot of different filters to choose from. My favorite one is the Soft Breeze. I usually use this app with outdoor photos.

SuperPopCam. I love most of the filters that this app provides. Lemonade, Violet Fizz, Cherry Pie, Dreamy & Hollywood. Doesn’t that convince you already? I use this app A LOT if I’m looking for a bold & colorful filter.

// 1. Luminance (Rouge) & Instagram (Sierra)
// 2. Camera+ (Night) & Instagram (Sierra)
// 3. Snapseed & Instagram (Sierra)
// 4. Camera+ (Night), BeFunkyFx (Vibrance) & Instagram (Sierra)
// 5. Camera+ (Night), Osmo Leaker (light leak app) & Instagram (no filter)
// 6. Vintage Cam (Theme Park) & Instagram (Rise)

I love taking pictures on my iPhone so much that I’ve neglected my digital camera for the past few months…oops! Anyways, add me on Instagram (@luxechandelier). I’d love to follow you!