I have learnt to listen well in the past while, according to Marjan, and that means that where I used to concentrate on the length of words, and could only distinguish the number of syllables, we now do exercises where we concentrate on the different sounds. I find this amazing. So maybe my brain will now start to recognise certain sounds, and who knows, it might even start to string them into words soon.

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The joy of singing to myself
I realise every day what a wonderful privilege it is to be able to hear as well as to understand what you are hearing. Every day I am learning and discovering new sounds and then I investigate until I find out what it is making the sound. I love the sound of my own voice. When I am alone at home, I talk and sing to myself all the time. One day my mom came from work and said, "Wow, Marissa – not so loudly. The whole world can hear you!" I had been sining loudly, because I wanted to hear the sound loud and clear and not just feel it. When I told her that, she shook her head and just left me. I feel I have lived in silence for 21 years, and now I want to be free to experience every moment I can hear and make the most of it – even if it means singing loudly.

My friend who had the implant, is very satisfied with it and feels that it has made a big difference to her life. Should things not work out for me with the hearing aids, I would consider that as well. What is amazing is that she can hear people's voices on the telephone, which I am completely unable to do. It's astonishing that technology makes it possible for people with a disability to live life to the full. Widex has made a huge difference to my life and this new experience has made me realise how much I missed out on all these years.

I cannot thank Widex enough for the quality of life they have given me. To be part of the hearing world was a dream I had ever since I was little and this dream is becoming a reality. I feel so blessed and privileged.

I am watching the Olympic Games and the athletes who get to the finals have worked so hard to be successful. I also realise that the effort I am putting in now will bear fruit in a couple of years' time.

Thanks Carina, Marjan, PK, Niel from Health24 and all the others who have played such a big role in my life. They have all encouraged me to do the best I can. I really do appreciate the interest and the assistance.

I will tell more about my progress in a month's time, and, by the way, I can say the K-sound correctly at last. But, we're still working on the "R"!
 

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