I guess this blog is due for an update. Cal is about 18 months now and he is still our chubby happy lil’ dude. He has finally figured out the walking thing and wobbles around the house like he owns the place. His religion is still the same: he worships food and his big sister.
Cal is doing incredibly well in both speech and sign. He probably has about 8-10 words:
Mom
Uh-oh
Bye-bye
Hi
Hot
More
Up
Ball
Whu for What
Animal Sounds (rooster, cow, dog, horse, duck)
Pa-pa (his Grandpa)
Dada is still ah-ah, but we are working with him.
And beyond that he says almost all of his sounds: ah, ooh, ew, buh, wha...he's doing really well for 5 months post activation.
Brynn gets every ounce of credit for Cal’s success. Audiologists, speech therapists, deaf mentors, PIP advisors and working with Cal – I don’t know how she does it, but she’s an incredible Mom.
We are at point where we are wondering about a 2nd implant. There seems to be a lot of opinions out there, but very little hard evidence for children. So we will go ahead and ask all of you. Is there anyone out there that has received, or had a child receive a bi-lateral implant? Would you recommend it? What differences have you seen? Please let us know – we’d love to hear from you. Thanks in advance!
4 comments:
Does he hear anything with his hearing aid? Are you comfortable with him losing all his residual hearing? (Our utah surgeon doesn't do the "careful things" to worry about saving residual) Do you think it is more important to have access to future technology or the best possible hearing now?
Just a few questions to get the ball rolling...
I guess , I looked at this a different way. And that's ok! I would like to leave my input. If Cal is hearing WORST than 70 db across the audiogram, then a cochlear implant. Would for sure, hands down offer more benefit. Now with the residual hearing, if he is hearing worst than 70db. He doesn't have must residual hearing to lose! Someone with a 70db hearing loss, Dr's figure they have 30% residual hearing in that ear! So no speech,and possible some loud enviroment sounds. If within 15 ft from the sound, they would be able to detect the sound. I also think in the future, example cell research is only going to be able to benefit those being born right then with a hearing loss. This technology is 20 years away at least. So we are talking Cal's children or Gavin's children would benefit. It has to be prefected still and go through FDA for approval. I have been to not one but many conferences with cell research. Also I thought our Utah Surgeon, was "TOO CAREFUL" with Gavin. Gavin had to be at 90Db or worst across the audiogram, so profound hearing. When alot of other states are doing it at 70DB or worst, with severe hearing loss!
With one implant, children are picking up language fine. Learning to listen and to speak. You probably know that Gavin got his Bilateral Implant in July of last year. This is what I have notice from him.
Gavin knows which side I'm on when I talk to him from behind. Gavin is hearing 20db across the audiogram with both implants! That is amazing for a deaf child! Normal hearing in Both Ears!
I've spoke with many adults with bilateral implants. Who were bimodal or with one implant at some time in their lives. We have 2 ears for a reason or we wouldn't have 2 ears! Adults tell me it is the icing on the cake. They don't have to work so hard mentally to hear. Cause it is work to hear for a deaf person. For people with normal hearing it is effortless!
Just a few more things, check with your insurance to see if they will cover it. Utah is the only state in the Nation. That doesn't cover bilateral cochlear implants as a standard of care! Myself and others are talking with lawmakers to hopefully having this changed by next year! These Senators were floored! When we proved to them we were the only ones in the Nation, that didn't cover both implants.
Let me know if you have any more questions about bilateral implants or insurance issues. If I don't know the answer, I'll find someone who does!
You are guys are awesome Parents and Cal is such a doll! I love how chucky he is!
I love seeing Alex figure out where a sound is coming from. He was implanted with his first one at 13 months and his second one at 15 months. I hated watching him not be able to locate sounds--it's great now! He is now 19 months and storming ahead.
I don't know if you remember but we meet your sweet family last year at pip camp. Our little guy with hearing trouble is Traxton. Well his hearing has gotten worse so he is a candidate for an implant now. We are in the super fun stage where all the decisions need to be made of which one to go with and whether or not we do bilateral implants, even though he still has little residual hearing in the right side. I was wondering what your opinion is as a parent who's child has gone through the surgery. Why did you wait to have the implants done at separate times, would you do it the same way again, and what implant did you choose to get for Cal? Was it AB or Cochlear? We have so many questions and I would love to hear your imput.
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