Greetings from Sydney!
I’ve been on the road for about six weeks, and so much has happened. Two weeks ago my sister flew back to the United States—which means I’m officially traveling solo. Right now I’m staying in a backpackers’ hostel attached to Central Station. I’m right in the heart of the city and it’s been so exciting to meet locals and other travelers! Experiencing music with a Cochlear™ Baha® 5 Sound Processor has been one of the major highlights on this trip. Here’s a breakdown of how my Baha 5 Sound Processor helps me hear every note:
Rock Concerts
When we were in Adelaide a few weeks ago, our hosts invited us to attend a concert with them. Their nephew is the guitarist of a popular band, which was performing a sold-out show. (Luckily he was able to get us in!)
Because I knew it was going to be in a standing-room-only venue with lots of dancing and jostling, I made sure to wear my Baha® Safety Line in case my processor was dislodged.
I also brought an Activity Kit Case, where I could store my sound processor if the sound was too overwhelming.
Finally, I used the Baha® 5 Smart App to turn down my sound processor’s volume so it wasn’t too overwhelming. Then it was easy to enjoy the show and dance along!
Symphony Performances
Our next musical experience was pretty much the exact opposite of the rock concert: it was a symphony performance at the Sydney Opera House. On a Sunday afternoon, we dressed to the nines (or as nicely as we could with the clothes we had packed) and sat silently for two hours, appreciating an array of classical music.
For this concert, I was less worried about keeping my device secure and more about the sound quality. I adjusted my sound processor’s settings on the Baha 5 Smart App and turned up the volume to help me hear every note with clarity.
It also helped me to listen to the songs beforehand so I could get an idea of the melody and know what to expect. That allowed me to focus on being in the moment, instead of worrying that I was missing anything.
On My Phone
While those two concerts were both highlights on this trip, most of the music I’ve listened to has come from my iPhone®. However, I don’t need headphones to listen—I can stream the audio straight to my sound processor thanks to the Baha 5’s Made for iPhone connectivity.
This feature has been perfect when I’m walking around the city, taking public transportation, or bushwalking through the Australian outback. It’s easy to connect and control the volume. The best part is, I never have to struggle to locate or untangle a pair of headphones! It’s easy to use and allows me to take my music with me wherever I go.
(Travel Tip: before you begin your journey, download your favorite playlists to your phone so you don’t use data when streaming music overseas. It also allows you to listen to your music even when you don’t have service. It’s much harder to find good WiFi when you’re on the road!)
It’s been a whirlwind six weeks, and my time abroad is winding down. Check back next week to read my final post on my experience touring Cochlear’s global headquarters!
Find more tips on how to enjoy music with a Cochlear Baha Sound Processor!
Read more about Skylar’s journey in these prior posts:
Hearing Down Under! Step 1: Preparing for International Travel with a Cochlear™ Device
Hearing Down Under! Step 4: How a Cochlear™ Baha® Sound Processor Can Help You Make Friends Abroad