Cal's Type of Hearing Loss

Cal has profound hearing loss (lay mans terms: he is totally deaf). Hearing loss is typically broken up into mild, moderate, severe and profound. Mild to severe hearing loss is usually treated with the assistance of hearing aids. According to Cal’s tests, he does not register any hearing capabilities so hearing aids will most likely not allow Cal to hear. Cal also has no structural damage (meaning there is nothing wrong with the ear structure itself). Cal’s hearing loss is caused by one of two things: a total lack of nerve (very rare) or a problem with the hearing organ (cochlea). Because Cal’s deafness is nerve related he has what is called Nero Sensory Profound Hearing Loss.

What does that all mean? Well it means a few things. The first thing it means is that Cal needs an MRI. An MRI will determine if Cal is able to qualify for a cochlear implant. A cochlear implant is a rather invasive surgery that places electrodes into the hearing organ (cochlea) and transmits an electronic sound to the brain. Basically the ear is completely bypassed and sound travels from a receiver (worn on the ear) to the brain. A cochlear implant would give Cal hearing capabilities and allow him to learn speech. His hearing would be nowhere near normal, but it would allow him to hear.

If the MRI shows that Cal does not qualify for a cochlear implant, Cal will have no hearing capabilities. At this point Cal’s primary form of communication would be ASL.
They will allow Cal to receive an MRI at roughly 4 to 5 months of age. Until then, it is a bit of a waiting game. These are 2 very different roads for Cal, so for now we are just enjoying spending time with him.