I have severe hearing impairment in both ears. I was able to get a cochlear implant in my right ear when I was 21 back in 2010 and it has made such a positive impact on my life and helped in all aspects.

But what I didn’t consider when I agreed to get it, was how great it could become as medical technology progressed. Every 5 years, you’re entitled to an “upgrade” and this week I got my upgrade called the Marvel CI.

With the marvel, you’re able to download an app on your phone and change to particular programmes created by the audiologists or volume. You’re also able to connect it to your phone via Bluetooth. And whatever you do on your phone, you can hear it directly through your implant, so for example a phone call, YouTube, spotify, it plays right into your implant.

I’ve always struggled with listening to things like voice notes and I’ve always avoided videos without subtitles or podcasts as I found it incredibly difficult to listen to and I always needed to concentrate too much and due to that I could never have any enjoyment in those particular things.

Today, I asked my friends to send me voice notes on WhatsApp and I spent some time listening to some songs I hadn’t heard in a long time on spotify. Though it’s taking some difficulty to get use to, I was able to understand every single word my friends to me with their voice notes. I didn’t have to strain to listen or concentrate too much it was all so clear and direct and I am beyond excited about it.

I’m currently starting a list of podcasts to try out and practice to listen to (any suggestions would be greatly appreciated) and though this may seem like such a small petty thing it makes me so happy because I didn’t think it would be an option for me to ever do.

Sorry for the long post and I’m feeling very emotional so it’s all a bit jumbled up but I’m feeling totally grateful this Saturday night. Cheers and thank you to anyone who contributes to this!