Welcome to Ruminator's Ruminatings. This is my intro, forever anchored right here at the top. The intro text is just a click away via the "About me" cut tag below.

Entries appear underneath in reverse chronological order, the most recent at the top. Enjoy, and feel free to comment.

( About me... )

Just passing along a link to an article I noticed this evening that may be of interest to some of you:

Scientists in Germany believe they have discovered how humans are able to filter out unimportant noise in order to zoom in on that single voice they want to hear ( Read more... )

While preparing dinner, a broiled tuna and cheddar on European bread and a side of slightly-wilted cherry tomatoes, I decided to play the iPod. It's hooked up to the stereo in the living room, so I can get some big sound. I wasn't expecting to enjoy anything much, but the mood and urge to listen to music were strong. I wanted to at least try, ( Read more... )

I've been evaluating my hearing the last few days. That is, when others speak in the vicinity, I listen diligently in order to scrutinize the current state of my speech comprehension affairs. Ok, just how unintelligible are their voices? And am I truly impaired enough to warrant a CI?Well, I returned just minutes ago from the production room ( Read more... )

If the intra-neural implant becomes available in 8 to 15 years, I'll probably seriously consider trying it. It can be implanted even in those who already have a cochlear implant. Something to be hopeful for.

Sometimes I wonder if one could actually hear any of this pseudo noise I experience if asked to hold her ear up against mine. I think I'll ask the wife to try this when she gets up. She'll probably give me a funny look ( Read more... )

Lately, I have been increasingly fascinated by the ubiquitous nature of online blogs. Think of any activity, hobby, ailment, affliction, event, or interest. Chances are, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of blogs accessible to the public on that subject. Many have a large readership, and most, I presume, will be around for decades if not longer ( Read more... )

There are days when I'm keyed up and eager to get a CI, optimistic that sound quality will improve by light-years and that I will be ecstatic by it, happily engaged in conversation and listening to music ( Read more... )

It hurts when the toilets flush! (...a CI story that got me laughing...)

While cochlear implants have been helpful for many, the surgery is relatively invasive and has its inherent risks. Surgeons are required to excavate quite a bit of material from the skull around the facial nerve, a 2-hour process, in order to create space to work around it and prevent damage to it. Many CI patients have reported a messed-up sense ( Read more... )