Sound Waves
I am aware that some people think that deaf people can’t enjoy music. I am deaf and I have a cochlear implant. I can enjoy music in two ways. I sometimes just feel the rhythm in my body when I don’t have my implant on. But, I must admit I prefer to enjoy music with my implant on, especially live music. Some Deaf individuals don’t like implants, they prefer a different path, of Deaf without interference. That’s fine. For me, I prefer the ability to choose when I can hear and when I can’t.
This wasn’t easy for me at first. I have bilateral implants—1 in each ear. They were implanted at age 3 1/2 and 6. I think I was one of the first bilateral implant recipients in BC, because they believed it would be beneficial because I’m deafblind. I am very lucky that they decided this because I don’t think I would be typing this today if they didn’t give me the 2nd implant. If you saw me at 7, 9, or 12, you would know that I did not want my implants on. I wore them when I was made to wear them, and I probably learned some language from this, but what people did not know was that my first implant was causing me headaches and ringing in the ear. I hated it. I finally was able to tell my audiologist that I was in pain and that original implant was turned off. I stopped wearing it that very day and have never put the left implant on again. What happened after that was awesome. I realized that my right implant was awesome. It didn’t hurt it gave me access to sound without the ringing, but I needed to get comfortable with the new sound. It took a while. Today, I love it, but I still get hearing-tired or sometimes just prefer to be deaf in that moment.
So now back to music. I love, love, love music. I can’t compare what I hear to those who don’t wear implants because I don’t know what they hear. But I can explain why I love music. I am a silent soul who feels alive with music. I don’t watch the singer or videos, I listen to the voice, lyrics, drums, bass, etc. I listen to the love, heartbreak, angst, happiness and sadness that the musician is able to share with their art. I feel seen by the words and rhythms of others. I feel so absolutely understood in a song. Ok I will be honest I don’t like all music. I like what I like. My number one favourite song is “Love Will Tear us Apart” by Joy Division. I still love deaf culture and I loved my first time seeing a musician live. He just happened to be deaf. Sean Forbes is a deaf rapper and he performed at my school. I had been watching his music videos for a long time before he came. I was so excited to see him live. Check out his videos on YouTube. I love live music and I love attending concerts. I turn down the volume on my cochlear implant so I don’t overdo it. I’m sure you will ask why. How I can like live music if I can’t see the singer. I can see the lights the crowd, feel the stands vibrate, hear the songs, see all the excitement. I’m just so happy for live music.
Ok I will end it here but I will also keep working on finding "new to me" music to enjoy. Here is just a few of the songs I am currently enjoying.
“Blue Monday” by New Order
“Pretty Pimpin” by Kurt Vile
“Mad World” by Tears for Fears
“Control” by Zoe Wees
“Have a Nice Day” by Stereophonics
“In the Morning” by the Coral
“Where is My Mind” by the Pixies
“Dancing with Myself” by Billy Idol
“We Can Work it Out” by the Beatles
"Firestone" by Kygo
"Bad Dreams" by Teddy Swims
“Senses Working Overtime“ by XTC
“All My Friends” by Tinashe and Chance the Rapper
Happy September everyone.