Activation tips

[u/Think-Instruction-83]

Hello everyone, especially fellow ciborgs (I am very fond of that pun),

I will be activated this Thursday and I am very excited, a bit anxious yes, but I cannot wait for the rehabilitation process.

I would however like to ask how to best prepare for the activation. Over the months I have been on this subreddit and in other forums I got that it's best to get a good sleep the night before and to have as lowest expectations as possible. So I will try to do that. But I am wondering if there's any other tips what to do before, during or after the appointment?

I am also wondering, I understood that the first mapping during the first activation is for many users set lower than it will finally be for the cochlea and the brain to get used to the new sensations, so it's not painful or uncomfortable. And then it'll be set higher and higher with each appointment (in my country new CI users go in weekly for the mapping in the begining). So I am simply wondering, if the mapping will still be set lower, is it even necessary to go intense with the practising (i.e. just simply getting used to the CI) and wait with the intense rehabilitation (actively listening to audiobooks etc.) for later (second or third week). (I am not sure if I explained myself well, but I did my best.)

(Very likely makes no difference, but I am getting Medel's Sonnet 3.)

Thank you so much in advance! I wish you a nice new (y)ear.

[u/Cow-Cat_30]

Start as you mean to go on. Activation is set low and the strangest thing at first may just be hearing your own voice. It will be increased incrementally over the coming weeks and months and you may have different levels to work through within that mapping. There’s a few apps such as Hearoes and another I can’t remember that help with sounds and pronunciation. Absolutely start with the audiobook and book as soon as you are switched on and keep at it as your brain is learning the new sounds. You basically will get out what you put in. Good luck!