Kylie

I am now 8 weeks since activation.
I am surprised to find that I already have a very clear preference for wearing my processor vs not. Even though its sound is still a bit strange and distorted (though getting better every week), it is FAR better than nothing. The combination of my normal ear with the implanted ear is pretty good in terms of stereo effect, overall volume, and feeling that the right side of my world actually exists. Every time I take it off for some brief reason I really feel that I'm missing something important and it's uncomfortable.
This is reassuring to me, and I am more committed than ever to making this work. I wonder if this resonates with others early in their progress too? 

@Kylie
It’s terrific that you feel your processor has become a part of you and prefer to have it on.
@Nicole uses ADHEAR to gain access to sounds on her deaf side.  How do you feel when your ADHEAR is off Nicole?

I have forgotten to attach it a few mornings at school and I feel lost without it.  I try to wear it all waking hours.  It only comes off right before I go to bed and it is back on after my shower in the morning.  It just brings awareness to how much you miss if you are not wearing it.

Freshly activated, so I started with my expectation super low. All 12 electrodes are in good health and active. Currently, I hear everything super, super high pitched, like everything is beyond helium. I can detect syllables, but can't differentiate speech or distinguish different layered noises yet. Time to learn how to hear all over again

Good luck at the choral concert.  Let us know how it goes.

Pretty good. Had my initial 4 sessions, now I'm on my own for 2 months to experience the world! Apparently I'm progressing as expected so that's good. I have a big choral concert tomorrow night so that will be a big test.

Things on that side sound generally loud, monotonous, electronic. But my good ear balances it out ok so my overall sound is like a louder version of life and as if through a microphone. These new settings have just added more nuance so that's nice.
I have no idea! Those terms have not come up. I will ask...

I took a charger with me and had no problems with either it or the dry box.  I have a voltage converter that has three electrical plug-ins and four USB ports and it worked great for everything.
Also had no issues at all at airports (OK, that's not true, but my issues with CDG are not CI related, heh)

@Mary Beth
I like disposable batteries too. I just don’t like them ending up in mass in land fills. Even though I put them in Recycling. Which is why I use rechargeable batteries mostly. 

I travel domestically most in USA and never had issues with security. Walked through without issue except wearing a neck loop like a streamer or Artone Max 3. TSA  will ask you to remove that first. 
All my equipment and I do mean all, travels with me in overhead or underseat. Spare processors, batteries, chargers, and an 8 port power strip to power all the chargers. They can lose my clothes but not my hearing stuff. That is paramount to me. 

CLIX is temporarily removed from the App Store while it is being updated.  Those with CLIX already downloaded can continue to use it as before.
 
Direct connecting just your CI side will be your best bet for training that ear.

I'm not sure if I could use a practice sheet with another person, as my other ear is perfect and would cause me to accidentally cheat. Blocking my ear with my hands isn't effective. Any tips, or should I stick with exercises based on the computer where only 1 side is plugged in?

The same as Kylie says: it is comforting that there is some sound.I just finished my 2nd fitting. Now they have raised the sound considerably, but something useful: not yet.If I follow the subtitles of a film, I hear what is being said true the CI. Without subtitles not yet. I can hear some birds, but not all of them!:) tx for asking!

Good today! Went to work. Half the time I was aware of the buzzing and the other half I forgot about it completely. 
More interesting was choir last night. At the start I struggled to hear anything clearly at all and was very distracted. But as the evening progressed, I stopped noticing so much and my good ear gave me enough input to sing with everyone, as I have been doing since I lost the right hearing. Though my friends said I was quiet, which I didn't realise. I can't really tell about my own volume very well. Overall, I felt good about this first experience of making music. I was very nervous as I really care about being able to sing and my expectations were low at this early stage (I thought it would be completely overwhelming and was prepared to leave if I couldn't cope.) In reality it was much better than that! 

Awesome @Kylie!

Good today! Went to work. Half the time I was aware of the buzzing and the other half I forgot about it completely. 
More interesting was choir last night. At the start I struggled to hear anything clearly at all and was very distracted. But as the evening progressed, I stopped noticing so much and my good ear gave me enough input to sing with everyone, as I have been doing since I lost the right hearing. Though my friends said I was quiet, which I didn't realise. I can't really tell about my own volume very well. Overall, I felt good about this first experience of making music. I was very nervous as I really care about being able to sing and my expectations were low at this early stage (I thought it would be completely overwhelming and was prepared to leave if I couldn't cope.) In reality it was much better than that! 

@Kylie
It was the same for me! Things will change quickly! 

@Kylie looks great!  I love the skinits too.
@soojjan how did yours go?

@Kylie yup, that's what I had too.  Good luck! You're doing great.

So far I can definitely hear a range of sounds, though they are not clear. What I can hear the most is 'sharp' sounds like crumpling plastic, clapping hands etc. My husband thinks it's funny as I keep visibly startling at such noises around me. 
Also I've noticed that even in one day I have started to tune out the buzzing sound for periods of time, I just don't always notice it. Which I guess is progress in itself? And it's definitely lessened my awareness of tinnitus while wearing the processor so that's awesome.

I decorated it as soon as I got home, of course.

Good luck for your activation tomorrow @soojjan
Had mine today - went pretty well I think. What I can hear is buzzy and weird but not too annoying. It was about what I expected. All the little boxes in the pack are quite fun to look through.  I even got an Artone neckloop in there too. Looking forward to more programs next week!

@Kylie
That is how my audiologist set my progressive MAPs too.

Yay @Kylie
Baby steps! Things should improve within a week. When is your next mapping appointment? 

@Kylie first CI activation  May 1
@soojjan first CI activation May 2
@Watersail first CI surgery May 21 and activation May 31
@lizjlong first CI activated May 21
@Carolmarie second CI May 31
@carmella416@hotmail.com first CI activated June 3
@Lynn Agnes first activation June 5
@Percy second CI surgery June 7
@MrVe9as first CI surgery June 11
@dongtuuyenblackpeony first CI surgery June 19
@Sandy123 first CI surgery June 20
@Rita Marquez second CI surgery June 26
@JCB first CI activation June 27 
@Percy second CI activation July 1
@Carolmarie second CI activation July 6
@MrVe9as first CI activation July 30
 
Let me know if I have any errors and if I’m missing anyone who wants to join in.  Exciting times on HearPeers!