Cochlear Implant #2....our journey. Step 1

We are in process of getting a 2nd implant for Brooke.  I didn't keep a record the first time since it was so new and scary for us.  I plan to record the journey to an implant this time.

For us, the first step is to have an audiogram and a word perception test by our audiologist.  On the report below, the "X" represents her left ear.  She has a moderate to profound to moderate loss in the left ear.  The "O" is her right ear without wearing the cochlear implant.  The "C" is how she hears with the implant and processor on!  As you can see, the implant is her best hearing.

Next, the audiologist did a word perception test.  She read 25 words, on at a time, to Brooke through a microphone.  Brooke could not see the audiologists lips.  Brooke has to repeat the word.  She did this with 28% accuracy.  To qualify for an implant, it must be 30% or below.  We are close to the threshold.  If this was the first implant, we probably would not do it yet.  But, since it is the second implant and she prefers her implant over her hearing aid, we decided to go ahead with the surgery and implantation.

Then we went to the hospital to meet with the surgeon.  He had to talk with Brooke and me to determine if she was a good candidate for implantation.  It was a quick 5 minute appointment but necessary for filing the insurance.  The surgeon, Dr. Buckman, gave us the go ahead.

Now, we wait for the insurance to approve the surgery and device.   Once that happens we can schedule the surgery.  Last time, it was about a 2 month wait for surgery so we will see what is available when they call.

Brooke is so excited to get another implant!  It is so much easier this time around since we already know what to expect and we will use the same brand and implant as the first time.  Choosing an implant is an overwhelmingly decision and it is nice we don't have to do that again!

More inspiration!

When U.S. Olympic diver Chris Colwill talks on the phone, he hears just fine. When he's hanging out with friends or teammates away from the pool, there are rarely communication problems. But when he steps to the 3-meter springboard, where he hopes to land his first Olympic medal in London, the game changes.
Colwill was born with 60 percent hearing loss. When he dives, he can't wear the hearing aids that allow him to hear at an 85-90 percent level. When the whistle blows announcing the next dive, Colwill doesn't hear it.
Read more here

This is a video of a deaf man who succeeded at his dream of becoming a firefighter.  I love these inspirations!

Inspire to be a doctor

Here is a story of a hearing impaired girl about to graduate from medical school.  She has a cochlear implant and has worked hard to complete her training.

Here is a sample from the article:
Hajjar will graduate this week from the University of Calgary’s School of Medicine, thanks to support from her classmates, staff in the department of medicine, and mostly her unfailing discipline, work ethic and relentless drive to become a doctor.
Humbly, she says much of it comes from the rewards of helping others.
“It still amazes me how grateful my patients are. And working with them, knowing I can help them, it really means a lot to me. That is what drives me.”
Find the article here.
Maybe Brooke will become a doctor!  :)

Inspirtation to deaf children

I saw this article this morning and found the story so inspiring! Here is a little of the story:

BEING born deaf has never stood in the way of Ipswich woman Ceilidh O'Sullivan's ambition.
The Peak Crossing 22-year-old, who completely lost her hearing as a teenager - was a successful BMX rider before she embarked on a mission to help deaf kids in Africa.

After receiving a life changing cochlea implant and learning to listen and speak again, Ms O'Sullivan joined the Boanerges Deaf Initiative and has since taken a key role in establishing schools specifically for deaf kids in the central African country of Uganda.

She has become the Australian representative of the not-for-profit organisation, which looks after the needs of 35 hearing impaired children in the capital, Kampala, plus another 90 children in the north of the country, and about 40 in the east.

"Deaf children are seen as a curse in Uganda - being deaf is viewed as a disease," Ms O'Sullivan said.

"I felt I had to go there to teach them that deafness is OK and it is not a sickness."

I would LOVE to compile a collection of inspirational stories of deaf people who change the world! I think it would be great for Brooke to read one day!

Go here for the entire story

Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss Newsletter

I got this newsletter in the mail today....and to my surprise it has a picture of Brooke! How cool is that! Click the picture to read the newsletter......

Sight Word practice

Draw a hopscotch board outside. Fill each square with a new sight word. Then play hopscotch having your child read the word she hops on! We have been working REALLY hard on sight words lately. Click my other blog to see all our sight word practice.