Being a part of a list for a CI at Sunnybrook – I get an email (yes, an email – they’re nice that way) to ask if I would like to participate in a study. The study is for testing out how the brain works with lipreading. “I cannot silent lipread” I responded. This apparently does not matter, they will take people of all levels of ability. Despite my lack of competency in the subject, I said “yes” to participating! Anything to help with the research of recovery from Cochlear Implants.

I was excited to pick the brain of the lady who is running the study, yet I had the college student assistant. Oh well! *shrugs*. This young girl (from another study) still had a lot to learn about how to speak with someone with hearing loss. I was guiding her continuously how she should speak with me.

The test is essentially this:

I am a quiet room, watching videos of lip-reading on the screen. They have one of those fancy hats strapped to my head so they can monitor what parts of my brain are active during the lip-reading process.

It was straightforward. It felt like nothing but a full test of trickery: similar questions over and over. I knew I did horribly…

When I removed the cap, my hair was completely covered in gel. It was a requirement to wash your hair at the end. Not the best idea for someone who has to wear an electronic device right after!

Adieu Sunnybrook. Thanks for the adventure, photos, parking pass and enough money to cover two lunches. Until next time!