Cautiously Optimistic

My 2nd adjustment was a great experience. I met with Paul, one of the engineers who actually created the Esteem and he was fantastic. He seemed really invested in how well things should be working and wanting to get me going in the right direction. Not only was he very helpful with the adjustment, but he took a lot of my concerns/complaints seriously and will be contacting Dr. S himself and letting me know if anything needs to be taken care of!
One thing I really appreciated with this adjustment was that Paul used music to coincide with fine tuning my newest programs. I told him that my voice and the radio were terrible. Especially higher pitched tones. He found a Katy Perry song (only artist I could think of split second when explaining who made me wince when they sing high pitched and loud) and we worked with that until we were both satisfied the new B and C programs were acceptable. I can totally tolerate my voice now. It doesn't sound like it's booming in my head. However, internal noises are still really loud.
Radio music is also enjoyable again. The exciting thing is that I'm on levels 3-4 in program C and feeling great about it! I also think B will be nice (again a background setting) and Paul took out treble and base to help with extra noise as I was telling him that I have a hard time at restaurants, church, outside by busy roads, etc competing with hearing the voices of those around me. I have yet to really play around in B. We left A alone as this was the setting I was used to and could fall back on if B and C don't work out.
As for the concerns that will be taken to Dr. S, it is about the itching and warmth around the implant, not being able to wear sunglasses d/t the frames hurting my head where the implant is, fluid and pressure in my ear (I felt a pulsing or throbbing sensation in my eardrum with program changes which is new), starting to get right sided migraines and wondered if it's coincidental to the implant. If any of this concerns Dr. S then someone will be getting ahold of me.

I have noticed clearer sound and no distortion of higher pitched noises like before. This is a huge relief. I was also told that I test very well and the trend continues on. However, Paul was more realistic to say that even with good scores it doesn't neccessarily mean a person is getting the best sound. I truly appreciate his work and level of understanding. Right now things are sounding good.

At work the day after the adjustment, I was able to lower the volume significantly on my work phone. The iPhone is still a little touch and go. Just depends on the person talking.

I don't want to get too excited yet, but this is definately a promising change!

Preparing For My 2nd Esteem Adjustment

Things I'm going to bring up during my adjustment:

- still can't get past A2, and don't really care for programs B or C

- still have tinnitus in both ears

- right ear feels full/plugged and like I need to pop it all the time

- right ear often gets feeling/sound of fluid in it

- skin around processor still really itchy

- whenever in crowded, noisy places or near traffic, my ear wants to focus on background noise, not people near me

- high pitched voices and tones (esp on radio) sound really distorted and get almost scratchy sounding (static?)

- my own voice can be too loud or booming, esp going to level 3 or higher

- sometimes it feels as though the hearing aided side is more clarified but not necessarily clearer

- still able to pick up more sounds and tones with right ear

- feel like ear has either completely plateaued or maybe even regressed some

This isn't my complete list, but the high points I want to touch on next week. Praying I get some good answers!