Who Is This?
Shayna Cooperman. A student. A girl. A dancer. A painter. A hearing impaired person. A writer. A chocoholic. A scientist. A historian. A reader. A blogger. A (insert personality attribute I forgot to mention here). In no particular order and in every single order.
Why Make This Blog?
Why not? Hearing impairment, though more common than most people expect, remains an enigma for the vast majority of the population. What better way to use my little corner of the internet than to impart the ramblings of a person, just like you, living her life, just like you, with an added twist, not quite like you? For a deeper answer to this question, follow this link: https://earplug8.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/its-not-easy-being-easy/
When pt. 1?
I was diagnosed with a severe to profound bilateral hearing impairment at 11 months. From 11 months to age 15, I wore hearing aids in both ears. When I was 15, I decided to undergo a cochlear implant operation to improve the quality of my life. I have never looked back.
When pt. 2?
This blog began shortly after I received my cochlear implant. As a then-fifteen year old, I did not have any peers, in person or on the internet, to whom I could turn for advice when I was deciding whether or not to get a cochlear implant. It was a difficult decision, and it was one I had to make alone. I did not want others in my shoes to feel alone the way I did, hence, this blog.
What is a hearing aid?
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) describes a hearing aid as:
A hearing aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear. It makes some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations. However, only about one out of five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one.
More information can be found on their website at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/hearingaid.aspx
What does a hearing aid sound like?
Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l37lzLIgQU
What is a cochlear implant?
Cochlear, one of the premier implant companies in the world, describes a the device as:
An electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants do the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlear) to provide sound signals to the brain.
More information can be found on their website at http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/intl/home
How does a cochlear implant work?
Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Poyj7U2wzhQ
Earplug8 
Shayna, you are awesome, inspiring and simply lovely!
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Thank you Erin you are the best!
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Shayna,
Your writing style and honesty will serve you well as you continue your education and when you are in the workplace. I was very close with your family when your mom and I attended UCLA. Your grandparents Carol and Pete, Aunt Myrna and Uncle Lou always welcomed me into their homes. Hope we get to meet in person.
Your cousin
Leonard
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thank you Leonard! yes, a family reunion does seem in order!
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Shayna!!! so excited to know about this blog. Just started reading through it. LOVE it and thanks for doing this. So impressed with all you are and are doing and are becoming! Sylvia! 😉
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Thank you so much Sylvia! I could not have done it without you!
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Hi Shayna,
I was the Educational Consultant on your CI team. I will always remember your process and some of the things you said to me while you were making this decision. You have stayed near and dear to my heart all of these years, and I am so happy to see you doing so well. Congratulations!!
Melinda Davis-Gillinger
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As thank you so much for your support! I can safely say its the best thing I ever did!
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