We all know Brooke.
She is deaf on the left side. Here is a bit about her journey.
Day 1: After being born the nurses notice Brooke's left ear wasn't totally formed.
She fails the hearing test on the left side and we wait to talk with a ear nose and throat doctor (ENT)
He tell us Brooke has Mictotia.
9 months old: After many doctors appointments, hearing tests, and a CT Brooke gets her first hearing aid. Brooke does not have an open ear canal so she has a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA). Her hearing aid conducts sound through the bone in her scull to her inner ear.
2 Years Old:
We spend the next two year fighting with this girl to wear her hearing aid.
This is when her ear is affectionately called her "lucky ear"
We spent this time trying to decide the best way to help Brooke. Many different options were talked about. No decisions were made.
3 years old: Brooke starts preschool and the deal is if she wants to go to school she has to wear her hearing aid for school.
4 years old:
Wearing her hearing aid at school led to Brooke wearing it all the time.
Brooke had an excellent ENT at this time. We talk about all the options and decide that having Brooke's hearing aid planted on her head will give her the best hearing possible.This will happen when she is 5.
Brooke turns 5. The surgery is set. Her days wearing her pink band are almost gone.
Brooke goes through surgery with flying colors. Recovery is short.
Brooke's post is in and we now wait 6 months until she can be fitted with her new aid.
Yesterday: The long wait is over and Brooke is fitted with her brand new hearing aid. The aids have come so far since her first one; there's new features and cool tools to learn about. The hearing aid was programed with settings just for Brooke and we are done.
One quick check in with Dr. Olds and Brooke is back to a full hearing child.
She keeps telling me to stop talking so loud and wants to put it on and take it off by herself.
All and all I think we made the right choice for her.
There are still a few things to adjust to but we are off to the next big milestone.....kindergarten!!
2 comments:
Beautiful Journey !! You did make all the right choices for her. She's beautiful and will be a great student in kindergarten!!
Way to go...
Love, G & G
Hurray!! Brooke is a rock star - getting used to her cochlear implant so quickly! My years as a speech therapist tell me you have made all of the right choices to maximize her hearing and communication throughout this journey! Enjoy all the new discoveries! love to all, A.K.
Post a Comment