My Beautiful Cyborg

In May 2017, Caroline was referred to be evaluated for a cochlear implant. Before the end of summer she was an official candidate. On December 12 a neurotology surgical team lead by Dr. Richard Liu implanted Caroline with a Cochlear CI532 slim modiolar implant. ShaSha Shi is Caroline's audiologist.

January 29, 2018: Caroline's activation day. Caroline and Andreas talk about the experience of activation day. Caroline explains what it's like to sift through a sea of new sound she can't understand. Caroline is also aware that she is a rare case of being able to hear not just speech, but discriminate between speakers, hear lyrics in music. The pair are experiencing firsts they haven't had in decades and it leaves them laughing and near tears trying to figure what it all means.

Gratitude, confusion, astonishment. After 30 years of being deaf, Caroline says this is her golden ticket moment, but better. If it doesn't make sense don't worry. It's day one. Andreas and Caroline will revisit things when they're not living on adrenaline.

Hello World. Caroline can hear you now.

Show Notes

In May 2017, Caroline was referred to be evaluated for a cochlear implant. Before the end of summer she was an official candidate. On December 12 a neurotology surgical team lead by Dr. Richard Liu implanted Caroline with a Cochlear CI532 slim modiolar implant. ShaSha Shi is Caroline's audiologist. January 29, 2018: Caroline's activation day. Caroline and Andreas talk about the experience of activation day. Caroline explains what it's like to sift through a sea of new sound she can't understand. Caroline is also aware that she is a rare case of being able to hear not just speech, but discriminate between speakers, hear lyrics in music. The pair are experiencing firsts they haven't had in decades and it leaves them laughing and near tears trying to figure what it all means. Gratitude, confusion, astonishment. After 30 years of being deaf, Caroline says this is her golden ticket moment, but better. If it doesn't make sense don't worry. It's day one. Andreas and Caroline will revisit things when they're not living on adrenaline. Hello World. Caroline can hear you now.

What is My Beautiful Cyborg?

SEASON 3 - My Beautiful Cyborg: A love Story About Hearing - Most of 2019 was about podcasting, but Caroline was listening, not recording. Now the story continues with ongoing experience. The emotions are still big, with gratitude front and centre. Season three will also introduce new voices - audiologists, voice actors, broadcasters, and public speakers - we'll explore hearing from people who rely on it. The baby steps are over; join Caroline as she breaks into a run. And Andreas tries to keep up.

SEASON 2 - My Beautiful Cyborg: A Love Story About Hearing.
"Hearing isn't all about sound, it's about each other." Now Caroline is #deafnotdeaf. It has to be all good news right? Absolutely! But it’s possible to be OVERjoyed. Caroline and Andreas talk about coming out of the fog of a quiet life and reflect on adapting to hearing again. They thought they had an exciting story to tell before. It turns out hearing is like an onion. A very big onion. My Beautiful Cyborg has discovered more about hearing and how it connects us than she imagined.

SEASON 1 - The Candidate
Caroline is hard of hearing. To be more accurate, without hearing aids, Caroline is "late deafened." After a lifetime of degenerative hearing loss, hearing aids won’t do the trick anymore. So, Caroline is going to become a cyborg. She’s on the path to receive a cochlear implant. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Caroline is going to become a cyborg. She’s getting a cochlear implant will replace the parts of hr hearing that doesn’t work. Caroline can’t wait. In Episode 1 of My Beautiful Cyborg, you’ll meet Caroline and learn a little bit about her hearing loss, and what stage she’s at in the cochlear implant process. They’re putting what in my head? I have to go shopping? I’ll be DEAF DEAF?! Caroline has questions, and we talk through the answers. Meet Caroline, My Beautiful Cyborg.