What I'm Thankful For

Earlier today I caught this story about Dr. Mike Hirshorn, former CEO of Cochlear, losing his battle with cancer last Friday. A man who fought to bring a new technology to the general public and played a huge role in enabling thousands of individuals across the world to experience hearing, some for the 1st time. A man who, prior to this morning, I had never heard of.

And that got me thinking...

If I were alive 50 years ago, I would be completely deaf. Having lost my hearing at the age of 28, I would be forced to learn sign language, read lips and pass notes. I would be looking for a new job, or at a minimum would see my current responsibilities severely reduced/altered (neither of which is desirable).

And even today this would be the case...except that:

In the late 1700s a guy named Alessandro Volta stuck 2 metal rods in his ears and hooked the other ends up to a (give or take) 50V battery.

(Disclaimer: This is NOT a picture of Volta himself. No one was harmed in this experiment that I'm aware of, though it should not be attempted at home)

From then on it was a race and challenge to see who could develop artificial hearing technology, and what was really possible. Dr. Hirshorn was a major player in bringing this technology mainstream. And the technology is still rapidly developing. I have 2 internal implants that I plan to use for the duration of my life, however in that time I will likely upgrade my external processors multiple times, resulting in better and better hearing and more advanced features at each stop.

And all of this got me thinking...

I could "go back 100 years" with any number of things and look at how my life would be different. How I would be walking, riding a horse/buggy, or saving for a Model-T. How I would be handwriting and licking stamps rather than typing and clicking "send" (okay, I still lick stamps).

But of all the inventions and all the technologies and all the advancements, what are the things that are really enhancing my life?

A car is great for getting me further distances in shorter times. I could also reduce my radius and ride a bike for what I needed to do if I had to.

A smart phone is great for speed of information and communication. I would argue my smart phone has also made me less personal with those around me.

A flat screen TV has made my football watching experience sometimes more enjoyable than being at the game (when you consider cost, food/drinks, parking, crowds, etc). I also spend more time sitting idle and less time outdoors.

Don't get me wrong. All of these are incredible advancements, things I truly appreciate and often take for granted. But benefiting from the years of research and development of Cochlear Implants is something that has truly impacted and redirected my life for the better.

I've concluded that there's a ginormous difference between inventions that advance our capabilities and inventions that directly advance our senses. Still waiting on that TV where you can smell the Food channel. A "taste-able" menu in a high end restaurant would be equally stellar.

This Thanksgiving I wish to say thanks to all of the physicists, scientists, engineers and medical professionals that make my hearing possible. Your sacrifices have positively impacted and increased my quality of life indefinitely.



(and as my brother reminds me this Thanksgiving and always that HE is thankful for the good "genes", I would like to remind him, and the rest of you, it is I who actually look good in them. Ba-Doom-Ping)

Hey Baby

It was just 10 months ago that I entered the world of artificial hearing. Artificial, being only a word; what I hear sounds so much better than artificial. 10 months, a time so short, seems to me so long.

"Coincidentally" this year has seen the births of quite a few newborns for some very close friends of mine. I say coincidentally with some reservation. Truth is, babies have been born all around me my whole life...it seems I'm just now starting to notice. Just now starting to appreciate these precious little ones. Just now starting to enjoy being around them. And, coincidentally, just now starting to hear them.

Hearing the softest sounds of breathing while they sleep.

Hearing those gurgling sounds as they drink, or eat, or whatever it is they're doing (and then pass them off before they throw it all up!)

 

Hearing their passionate cries of optimism as we support our fellow Boilermakers.

Hearing their joyous bouts of laughter while they demonstrate their ability to "roll over".

Hearing their non-response to my attempted conversation (but really, her shirt says it all)

Heck, I've even enjoyed listening to baby kittens, and whatever sound it is they make.

One thing that is difficult for me is that 4 years ago I had an opportunity to experience this joy in my own family when my niece Lydia was born, but with my hearing deteriorating at that time I wasn't able to appreciate it as I am today. Now that I have re-surging hearing in both of my ears, I've been able to enjoy much more interaction with her. My older brother put it in perspective for me a few months ago: 

"I remember the dinner at Mom & Dad's when I learned you weren't wearing one of your hearing aids because your right ear had just stopped working completely. And that it would probably happen to the other one soon enough too. The holidays last year where you just sat in the room and couldn't understand anyone. It all absolutely crushed me. But now you're able to have like-normal conversations again, hang out and watch movies/sports, and it's especially wonderful to see you able to interact (well) with Lydia finally."

Hearing loss affects so many people, and not just the person experiencing the loss. But even if I did miss out on her first few years, what I'm experiencing now is quickly making up for it. Just look at the excitement on her face when I gave her this shirt last Christmas:

You CAN'T force that kind of excitement! I would say I'm embarrassed about the excitement on my own face, but really now, "excitement" was what this picture was all about.

I'm thankful for all of my friends who've recently had babies, thus eliminating my need to for now (silencing the rumors before they start). I'm equally thankful for the medical professionals who have made each and every one of these new experiences so meaningful to me.