Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Scaffolding Of Dismantled Trees


Things are a little foggy around here. The damp fog rolls in waves down from the tops, folding over fields and hedges, making everything more prominent and less prominent all at the same time. Moisture condenses around  the bare branches that are now just the scaffolding of trees dismantled during the Autumn. And then there is my hearing.

The upgrade took place as planned on Friday and I am now the upgraded, improved Alan Burnett Series V. It is an odd thing when people start messing with your senses : everything is a bit odd, a bit different. My initial response is that sounds are much richer, fuller, more textured. In order to have some trusted yardstick, I am delving back into music I know well : does that flute sound clearer, does that piano sound more distinctive, can Louis Armstrong still blow the walls of the recording studio down with his horn solos? There are some down sides : but most of these are because I don't know my way around the new system yet. The telecoil which forms part of the implant doesn't seem as strong as the one in the previous version and this means that I am having trouble with the loop system I use for watching TV. I now get a poor signal when I sit in my chair, but I have discovered that if I lie of the settee with my head hanging off one end I get a much clearer sound signal. The downside of this arrangement is that the picture is then upside down.

But give me a week or two and I will get around these problems and learn to take full advantage of the greater control the new system provides. The fog will lift and everything will fall into sharp focus once more.

We are off to the coast for a couple of days, so I won't be around until Wednesday. See you all then  .... fog permitting.

20 comments:

  1. A beautiful photo, & thanks for the update on the implant. Hope the adjustment period is brief & that you are hearing Louis Armstrong better than ever!

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  2. An awesome photo! I get it about the senses because it's happening to my eyes right now so I need glasses but it will mess with my world as I see it. But I do so love fog because it's so mysterious. Have fun at the coast!

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  3. As already said, the photo is indeed beautiful. I love the fog because it reminds me of when I was in California at the ocean, but I also love it as part of this place because I can lose myself in it. It pulls me into the moment.

    The implant sounds awesome even if TV is best viewed in upside down mode at the moment. :)

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  4. I'm glad everything went well and I hope this adjustment is smooth. As usual, you provide a feast for the eyes with your photo. Enjoy your trip.

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  5. Absolutely gorgeous photo, Alan! And here's hoping your transition period is short. It's the same way with me when I get the prescription on my eyeglasses changed - I bump into things for a while until my retinas and optic nerves get used to the new system.

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  6. Interesting to hear about your hearing treatment and how you have to work to adjust to it.
    Yes the fog can be interesting and I'm sure the hearing at times is like fog...muffled and indistinct!!!!

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  7. Glad it went well Alan. I've been a bad commenter but a good follower. Enjoy the break before the cold really sets in.

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  8. Glad the upgrade was successful. I hope the contortions on the settee are short-lived. Have a good break, and be careful in the fog.

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  9. I hope the fog clears and the sound of the sea is better.

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  10. I see the wit and turn of phrase have survived intact. It's pleasing to see that you are fighting fit once more.

    As for the television problem. If you view something in the upside-down position for long enough, the brain will turn it round so it appears in the correct perspective.

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  11. I love the phrase 'scaffolding of trees dismantled during the Autumn'! I also love the mental image I have of you hanging upside down off the end of your sofa watching TV. I'm still chuckling!!

    Have a super couple of days on the coast. Hope the weather is kind.

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  12. Lovely photograph. Hope the fog clears soon !

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  13. Oh Alan, you made me laugh out loud picturing you lying on the sofa. Funnily enough I can hear much better through our church loop if I bow my head - makes me look deeply pious, I'm sure! I'm sure it will all become even clearer soon. If you can listen to music successfully then I think I want a cochlear implant too. Music sounds terrible through my aids.

    Love your foggy photo - I can sense the quiet wetness, muffled drips.

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  14. Congratulations on your new and improved version of Alan. One piece of advice:turn the TV upside down and you will be fine. Check out Sunday on our blog: tis for you!

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  15. Hope you have a good time at the seaside. The sounds there should be fascinating for anyone with a new system who is suddenly aware of the "enhanced sound quality".

    I've always been a great fan of the composer John Cage, who was very into encouraging people to savour the qualities of so-called "silence", the sounds we usually don't notice.

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  16. I am certain it will take some getting used too..patience! The new improved you will adjust...perhaps you need to rearrange some furniture! Have a fun time at the coast! :)

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  17. So glad you got your upgrade Alan and I hope you are soon totally familiar with it.
    Gosh that picture makes me feel quite chilly - must put a sweater on! :)

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  18. I Hope You Had A Good Time Away.
    Did You Hear The Seagulls?

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  19. Gorgeous photo! There's something about fog which I find profoundly beautiful. I'm glad the upgrade went well, Hopefully you won't be viewing upside down for long!

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