Well, that wasn't long.
Last week we fitted Christian with a demo Naida. His teachers and the school audiologist have been keeping a close eye on Christian over the past week, and noted that during his morning listening checks that he has been producing the /f/ sound instead of the /s/ sound when using just his aid. When tested without the Naida and just his Cochlear Implant, Christian produced and identified the sounds correctly. It's important to note that prior to the Naida with his Phonak Elexia, Christian had no problems discriminating between those sounds, and would produce and replicate them absolutely consistently.
While I am a bit disappointed that the SoundRecover technology did not work as we hoped it would, it's nice to have the attitude of "If it's not broke, don't fix it". I'm comforted in knowing that what we've been doing all along has been a good fit and the right choice for Christian.
Our Family's Cochlear Implant Journey
Showing posts with label hearing aids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hearing aids. Show all posts
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Hello, Naida!
With all the buzz about bilateral Cochlear Implants, I often feel that our bi-modal kids are forgotten about. Yes, bilateral hearing is best. Of course 2 ears is better than one. We've found over the past 3.5 years that Christian receives GREAT benefit from his aided ear (that measures severe on aided testing) and sometimes folks are surprised that we aren't pursuing a 2nd Cochlear Implant for him. Just yesterday at school he scored 37/49 correct using his aided ear alone in speech perception testing. That is pretty darn good. We know that his aided ear provides much of the enjoyment for his love of music. We know that it also has helped him with sound location and articulation. For now, a hearing aid is working. We'll always keep close tabs on that ear. Maximizing his aided ear is ALWAYS on the forefront of our minds, so when he came home yesterday with a Phonak Naida on his left ear, I couldn't help but be giddy with excitement.
I'll leave the ins and outs of exactly what the Naida does to the pros--check out the video below from Dr. Seewald, a leader in pediatric audiology. In Mommy terms, the Naida uses this amazing software called SoundRecover. It will take the high-frequency sounds that Christian has a hard time hearing with his aided ear and compress them into lower level frequencies, making them accessible and heard. This will help with his speech discrimination and production. Christian will use the demo provided by the school for a couple of weeks, we'll evaluate his progress and decide if we'll order one.
I'll leave the ins and outs of exactly what the Naida does to the pros--check out the video below from Dr. Seewald, a leader in pediatric audiology. In Mommy terms, the Naida uses this amazing software called SoundRecover. It will take the high-frequency sounds that Christian has a hard time hearing with his aided ear and compress them into lower level frequencies, making them accessible and heard. This will help with his speech discrimination and production. Christian will use the demo provided by the school for a couple of weeks, we'll evaluate his progress and decide if we'll order one.
Monday, October 20, 2008
I love the sound of feedback in the morning...
It's BAAACK!
Yes, we got the thumbs up from Hopkins to put Christian's aid back in his non-implanted ear. We've already seen marked improvement in Christian's localization of sound. He's already, after 4 days of having the aid back in, turning in the right direction of where sound is coming from. And, it's been quite the life-saver at the park, making the whole plastic slide situation a whole less stressful.
Christian was one of the lucky children who DID receive some benefit from his hearing aids during his CI trial. Although the tests labeled Christian as a severe-profound hearing loss kid, he surprised us all. We went into implantation with a verbal and chatty little boy, who actually had some words. I don't regret one bit giving him a little extra time with his aids before getting the implant. We do know the CI was his best option for acquiring spoken language, but the aids did just give us an extra boost in our journey.
Just a thought for all the parents who are going through the candidacy process, don't underestimate what your child's hearing aids can do. Keep them in at all times even if the charts, audiograms, and doctors tell you that your child may not receive benefit from them. Your little one may completely surprise you just like Christian did.
Yes, we got the thumbs up from Hopkins to put Christian's aid back in his non-implanted ear. We've already seen marked improvement in Christian's localization of sound. He's already, after 4 days of having the aid back in, turning in the right direction of where sound is coming from. And, it's been quite the life-saver at the park, making the whole plastic slide situation a whole less stressful.
Christian was one of the lucky children who DID receive some benefit from his hearing aids during his CI trial. Although the tests labeled Christian as a severe-profound hearing loss kid, he surprised us all. We went into implantation with a verbal and chatty little boy, who actually had some words. I don't regret one bit giving him a little extra time with his aids before getting the implant. We do know the CI was his best option for acquiring spoken language, but the aids did just give us an extra boost in our journey.
Just a thought for all the parents who are going through the candidacy process, don't underestimate what your child's hearing aids can do. Keep them in at all times even if the charts, audiograms, and doctors tell you that your child may not receive benefit from them. Your little one may completely surprise you just like Christian did.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Hearing Impaired Washington Redskin
Check out this article about one of our rookie players, Safety Reed Doughty.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Spring Fever
Yep. It's official. I have Spring Fever. I've been snatching up anything and everything I can madras. I've dug out my favorite flip-flops, found my white cardigan, and started changing over my closet into my spring clothes.
Yet, it's only 34 degrees today.
I think my favorite spring find was this new hearing aid clip for Christian. I think the crab is perfect for my prepster!
Yet, it's only 34 degrees today.
I think my favorite spring find was this new hearing aid clip for Christian. I think the crab is perfect for my prepster!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
For the past couple of days, Christian has been pulling on his ears. And I'm not just talking gentle tugs. This is straight up YANKING. Along with stretching his earlobes out, he's literally ripping his earmolds out of his ears. It's getting so incredibly frustrating. And, the pilot caps aren't even helping. He sticks his little paws under the hat to tug. Something really must be bothering him...
This is a totally new behavior that has me freaking out. I just called our pediatrician's office, and we're going in at noon today to get his ears checked for a possible infection. Not that I would wish an ear infection on my kid, but I really hope that is what is causing him to yank on his ears. Sure, we'd have a moment everyday where he would be tired and take his aids for me...usually right before a nap. But this is new. And frustrating.
Keep your fingers crossed for us...
This is a totally new behavior that has me freaking out. I just called our pediatrician's office, and we're going in at noon today to get his ears checked for a possible infection. Not that I would wish an ear infection on my kid, but I really hope that is what is causing him to yank on his ears. Sure, we'd have a moment everyday where he would be tired and take his aids for me...usually right before a nap. But this is new. And frustrating.
Keep your fingers crossed for us...
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Why We Need HealthCare Reform...
So, here we are, an upper-middle class VERY well educated family. We have access to the best doctors and resources out there. But how is it that I STILL don't understand how our insurance company can NOT PAY A DIME towards my son's hearing aids?
If he needed glasses to see, they would pay for them. If he needed leg-braces to walk, they would pay for them. Yet, hearing aids so he can hear speech sounds and attempt to develop language to communicate....Blue Cross says no. COME ON PEOPLE!
.
If he needed glasses to see, they would pay for them. If he needed leg-braces to walk, they would pay for them. Yet, hearing aids so he can hear speech sounds and attempt to develop language to communicate....Blue Cross says no. COME ON PEOPLE!
.
Monday, November 12, 2007
God's Love Letter...
This whole weekend has been just wonderful. We spent it together as a family, not stressing about test results, communication strategies, or the unknown. We just focused on eachother. We needed it. BOY, did we need it.
This weekend was Christian's first with his hearing aids, and he did fantastic. I couldn't be prouder of my little guy. Sure, he got curious every so often about the aids, but he kept them in. Chuck and touched them more than he did, as we were constantly investigating the "buzz". We learned that since his right ear has a higher setting on it (that's the ear that he is profoundly deaf in), it will have more feedback. Sure, it's going to be an adjustment. He has these special little tools, cases, clips, batteries, you name it....all to let him hear. And we're trying so hard to make sure that we put them in right. I did have one moment, when I looked at my sweet little man playing with his new Tonka truck and thought "He deserves better than this". And then he looked up at me, gave me the cutest 6 3/4 tooth smile he could, and I snapped out if. Yes, he deserves better. Yes, THIS SUCKS. However, we're dealing. We will continue to deal. And he will be great. We know it.
Today on our leisurely stop at our favorite bagel shop, I noticed two very nice looking young men walk in. One was really tall with curly hair. The other was of medium build, and I swear he looked Greek (which is part of the reason I think I remember them so vividly, b/c I always look at greek-types wondering if we're related). They were handsome, and they looked just like any other college-age kids...and then they started to sign to one another. I just about jumped out of my seat, grabbed a pen (because I knew my mediocre ASL would NOT help me out at this point) and wrote:
"Hi! My name is Tina. My son is deaf. What's the sign for Bagel?"
Ok. Stop. Look up at what I just wrote.
Forget the fact that I talked to complete strangers (b/c if you know me, you know that's not a big deal). And, yes, I needed to know the sign for bagel, because Christian was CHOMPING on one at our table. I referred to my kiddo as deaf for the first time...FOR REAL. And I WAS PROUD. I was proud to be able to use my crappy understanding of ASL to sign his name to them and to give him is age and to say Thank You. I was proud to sign "I'm his Mommy". But most of all, I was proud of Christian. Meeting those two guys is what my friend calls a Love Letter from God. It's hard to explain, but when you get one, you know it.
This week is going to be one for the record books. We have several doctors appointments, and LOTS of playdates with our friends for the neighborhood. Tomorrow night, I'm heading to Buy Buy Baby with a dear friend of mine to help her register for her shower. A Moms Night Out is in the works with the MOMs Club, and one of my good friends' birthdays is on Thursday. Most importantly, I'm heading to Pittsburgh for a bachelorette road trip for one of my best friends. It's going to be A CRAZY BUSY WEEK!
xoxoxox
This weekend was Christian's first with his hearing aids, and he did fantastic. I couldn't be prouder of my little guy. Sure, he got curious every so often about the aids, but he kept them in. Chuck and touched them more than he did, as we were constantly investigating the "buzz". We learned that since his right ear has a higher setting on it (that's the ear that he is profoundly deaf in), it will have more feedback. Sure, it's going to be an adjustment. He has these special little tools, cases, clips, batteries, you name it....all to let him hear. And we're trying so hard to make sure that we put them in right. I did have one moment, when I looked at my sweet little man playing with his new Tonka truck and thought "He deserves better than this". And then he looked up at me, gave me the cutest 6 3/4 tooth smile he could, and I snapped out if. Yes, he deserves better. Yes, THIS SUCKS. However, we're dealing. We will continue to deal. And he will be great. We know it.
Today on our leisurely stop at our favorite bagel shop, I noticed two very nice looking young men walk in. One was really tall with curly hair. The other was of medium build, and I swear he looked Greek (which is part of the reason I think I remember them so vividly, b/c I always look at greek-types wondering if we're related). They were handsome, and they looked just like any other college-age kids...and then they started to sign to one another. I just about jumped out of my seat, grabbed a pen (because I knew my mediocre ASL would NOT help me out at this point) and wrote:
"Hi! My name is Tina. My son is deaf. What's the sign for Bagel?"
Ok. Stop. Look up at what I just wrote.
Forget the fact that I talked to complete strangers (b/c if you know me, you know that's not a big deal). And, yes, I needed to know the sign for bagel, because Christian was CHOMPING on one at our table. I referred to my kiddo as deaf for the first time...FOR REAL. And I WAS PROUD. I was proud to be able to use my crappy understanding of ASL to sign his name to them and to give him is age and to say Thank You. I was proud to sign "I'm his Mommy". But most of all, I was proud of Christian. Meeting those two guys is what my friend calls a Love Letter from God. It's hard to explain, but when you get one, you know it.
This week is going to be one for the record books. We have several doctors appointments, and LOTS of playdates with our friends for the neighborhood. Tomorrow night, I'm heading to Buy Buy Baby with a dear friend of mine to help her register for her shower. A Moms Night Out is in the works with the MOMs Club, and one of my good friends' birthdays is on Thursday. Most importantly, I'm heading to Pittsburgh for a bachelorette road trip for one of my best friends. It's going to be A CRAZY BUSY WEEK!
xoxoxox
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