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Brandy H, Awareness Manager

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My Story

We were devasted to learn that Dylan had a hearing loss when he failed his newborn hearing screening in Florida in 2002.  I don't even remember the drive home that day from the audiologist.  I do recall that it was a typical day for her- but not for me or my husband. 

 

I remember my daughter, Megan, who is 15 months older than Dylan, sitting on my lap in the "booth" playing with a toy.  "I'm a Little Teapot" was playing and Megan just kept playing with that toy in her hand.  She didn't look to the sound.

 

What a kick in the gut.  Dylan had a hearing loss and we put hearing aids on him-  but how could we miss my daughter's hearing loss?  What kind of parent was I to not notice an 18-month-old not talking???

 

Fast forward to 2004- both Megan & Dylan received their first Nucleus Cochlear implant & within 5 months received their second.  They both play basketball, dance, sing and are in the mainstream public school.  Megan even plays the piano.

 

This 2010 Summer, we relocated to Denver, Colorado and our family is starting a new adventure. 

 

Thanks to Cochlear Americas and the many medical professionals along the way, our children are living every possible opportunity. 

 

I am here to offer you resources and hope.

 

Direct:  877-742-1122

Check out Megan and Dylan's profile on here too.

 

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Blog Entries
 We just moved to Colorado and decided to drive up to Winter Park to see the Alpine Slide.  While there, a young college student walked by with two...
 Both my children have bilateral Nucleus cochlear implants.  Both are treasures that remind me daily about how amazing this technology is and why I...
Cochlear is named Hero  Above is a 3 minute audio recording of how Cochlear was featured on the Rider & Kelly Morning Show (98.5 FM KYGO) in...
 Read this great story about how Cochlear goes above & beyond! http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=145617
  Would you like to view some realy cool videos about cochlear implants?  There are some inspirational and educational videos with specific...
 I have accepted a position in the Cochlear Americas Headquarters home office in Colorado.  My family and I have packed everything we own and are...
 HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America) has developed educational videos to explain how we hear, hearing loss and treatments for those looking for...
 Looking for assistance with your Nucleus 5 processor or Remote Assistance?   Check out this on-line...
 May is Better Hearing & Speech Month & one of our Awareness Manager's, Ally sisler- Dindiwiddie, has a decal project that you can be...
 Cathy Marconi and Melanie Brand, both Nucleus cochlear implant recipients, were invaluable at our last Connect with Your Community Workshop in New York...
 Last week I traveled with Parri Tantillo, Awareness Manager for the Northeast Region here at Cochlear.  We were on our way to a meeting, walking...
 May is National Better Hearing & Speech Month.  What will you do to educate others about hearing loss and possible resources for them to learn...
 Cochlear's HOPE program has created Tips for Listening to Music.  Just like cochlear implant recipients "learn to listen" for...
 Cochlear Celebration will be held from February 17-20, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.  This is President's Day weekend in the U.S. and we hope to...
 One of our Nucleus Recipients and HLAA Chapter President, Judy Martin, is trying to get a photo of other recipients at the National Convention in...
 Hello all, Looking for Baha info?  Don't miss the live webinar at 5pm MT.Click on the link to...
 I just had the pleasure of attending two workshops in Michigan (Troy & Grand Rapids) with my colleague, Linda Hess.  We had the pleasure from...
 Cochlear Americas is proud to be a National Sponsor for HLAA's Walk4Hearing.  Our President, Chris Smith, is the business chair for the...
 Clarke Northampton is hosting a Family Weekend Program, July 23-25. It’s an opportunity to meet other families of children with hearing loss,...
 The Hearing Hero Contest Winner, Rachel Chaikof, has another blog in which she sites companies that do more than sell products, they also help the...
 Last week I was at our home office in Denver, Colorado and woke up to a surprising snowy day on Friday, March 20th, the day before it is...
Hello Friends of Hearing Loss Assoc of America, The Hearing Loss Association of America is proud to present live Webinars (previously called Webchats)...
  The recording of the Cochlear Nucleus 5 Upgrade Webinar with Chris Smith and Jace Wolfe, Hearts for Hearing, is now available! If you were unable...
 Goals and Activities for Improving Teenagers' Listening and Spoken Language Skills (Professionals)Presenter:  MaryKay Therres, M.S., CCC-SLP,...
 Correction on the time! Join Cochlear America’s President Chris Smith and Jace Wolfe, PhD, CCC-A, Director of Audiology, Hearts for Hearing,...
 While on vacation last week, both my bilateral Nucleus children exited the Tower of Terror ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios park when they were...
  Here is the link to learn more about the date & time: http://www.cochlearcommunity.com/services/feb_webinar.php  Info about...
 Click on the link to see the photo gallery of  a bilateral toddler Nucleus recipient and read the article about the bionics, "Merging Man and...
 Click on this link & scroll to the bottom of the webpage.  There you will find great info that literally walks you thru all that the BP100...
 Click here to learn: http://products.cochlearamericas.com/cochlear-implants/cochlear-nucleus-system-advantage  
 Cochlear has created an on-line tool for you new Nucleus 5 users to be able to navigate through your Remote Assistant.  Here you will be able...
 Follow this link to Hallmark.com & listen to the 12 Sounds of Christmas.  You will need to roll your mouse over the bulbs in the e-card. ...
 The Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans held their annual Celebration last week for all their cochlear implant recipients.  There were "seasoned...
 The Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans held their annual Celebration last week for all their cochlear implant recipients.  There were "seasoned...
 Don't miss this incredible story that aired on the Today Show: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34377632#34377632
 I will be attending this workshop with my family & think it's a great opportunity to meet some of you Jacksonville Community Members that I...
 One of our very active Cochlear volunteers, Tina, is highlighted in this video with her son, Karsen (a bilateral Nucleus Freedom recipient) and her...
Thanksgiving Humor
9 Months Ago
 Although the holiday is full of prayers and thoughts of Thanksgiving, we could all use a little laugh sometimes.  
  This time of year is when I reflectOf the days in our lives that were not so perfect  When our children couldn’t hear the sound...
Thanksgiving Quote #1
9 Months Ago
  We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ...
The Awareness Managers had a meeting this week in Chicago and tonight, my colleagues, Rene', Mark and I went to dinner to discuss our next day's...
Check out the easy to navigate new look of the Cochlear Americas website.  You can click on this...
Cochlear has a Facebook page and we would love for you to be a "fan"! Direct...
Don't miss this moving story.  When:  Sunday, October 18th  (yes, this coming Sunday)Where:  on ABCWhat:  Extreme Makeover...
To read the article, click here: http://cbs4denver.com/health/cochlear.hearing.surgery.2.1189043.html  To see the video, click...
The CR110 is the industry's first 2 way remote control.   What can you do with it? -Activate telecoil (if you prefer not to use the...
Join Cochlear America’s President Chris Smith as he introduces the Nucleus 5 System--the only cochlear implant system that offers the smallest most...
What is this new AutoPhone Feature? -Industry's first and only automatic phone detection through auto telecoil  What is the...
Do you have a specific question about the NEW Nucleus 5 Cochlear Implant System?  Visit our Cochlear Message Board and post your question there. ...
What you've all been waiting for...... http://tinyurl.com/m32nj2  Happy Happy!!!!
I know a secret.
When my daughter was first activated with her CI when she was almost 4, we left the center in our van.  She said, "w at?" (meaning What's...
This song really SCREAMS the purpose of the Cochlear Community Website.  Take 3:22 of your life and understand how we want to "Send It On" to...
If you want to learn more about cochlear implants, you can listen or request a transcript of a recent webcast entitled "Cochlear Implants....Hope after...
Most all private insurance companies cover the cost of the cochlear implant (Baha implant too) and the surgery, depending on the insurance company. ...
Read more: http://hlaa.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=6361.0&dlv_id=13901 There are MANY insurance companies that have made bilateral...
http://harveyshear.blogspot.com/ I just posted photos, videos and some fun from the Northeast Cochlear Implant Convention.   Check it out!
My son, Dylan entered a raffle at school and won a free surf lesson with his teacher.  My daughter, Megan, had the same teacher last year, so last...
Piano Recital
One Year Ago
Check out my daughter, Megan, playing "Puff the Magic Dragon" in this video of her latest piano recital.  Megan has bilateral cochlear...
Do you have a cochlear implant?  Are you energetic, dynamic, full of personality and focused enough to work independently?  Do you have the ability...
I just created a new group called Cochlear Moms because it can be found on the Cochlear Community.  However, please read this info about the...
Privacy Setting Tip
One Year Ago
I have my privacy setting set to "open" which allows anyone to send a message to me or post back to me on my blog.  This is my personal choice...
On May 14th, Clarke Jacksonville Auditory/Oral School held the "Celebraton of Sound" breakfast to create awareness about hearing loss, cochlear...
Looking to make a diffference this month? I will be giving a 5 minute advocacy speech at the Clarke Jacksonville Celebration of Sound breakfast this...
View photos of Celebration on this web link: http://floridateamharvey.shutterfly.com/
Here is a weblink for you to see of my daughter, Megan talking on camera at the Cochlear Celebration in California.  I did not learn about this video...
We have a Baha group on this website that currently has 76 members.  If you have a Baha implant, your child has a Baha implant or you are just looking...
Celebration
One Year Ago
Hi All!  I just returned from a whirl wind vacation.  It started in Anaheim, California (I was not on vacation, but working) at the Cochlear...
Celebration
One Year Ago
I am so excited for Celebration I could burst!  I hope to see you all there & if not, watch my posts.  I want to share some of the highlights from my...
If you are an adult who is impacted by hearing loss and you can no longer function as you used to, you are on this website looking for some support,...
Have you let your children play the Kaci Games that are here on the Community in the services section??  Better yet, have you tried to play the games? ...
Have you heard of the "Connect with Your Community" workshops that we have been holding in cities all over the United States?  Well, let me tell...
Did you know that the Cochlear Awareness Network has written values that are so important to us?  I thought I would share because when you receive a...
Dylan Scores Response
One Year Ago
On February 23rd, I uploaded Dylan's basketball game of him scoring 2 points in under a minute.  So far, I have had many messages sent to me about it &...
A Day in the Life
One Year Ago
I just left Boston where it was 31 degrees and flew to Miami where it is warm, breezy and oh so nice!  Many people ask about the Awareness Manager position,...
So, you've been wondering how a child with cochlear implants performs during sports? Here is our son, Dylan, age 6, playing his first season of...
Last week I had the pleasure of talking with a group of our Nucleus cochlear implant recipients while I was visiting Hartford, Connecticut.  While there,...
Hello Everyone! Time sure flies!  I have returned from Colorado refreshed with all the exciting new initiatives from Cochlear Americas.  It was wonderful...
The Altanta trip was fabulous as Scott Rinehart & I were able to connect with Georgia Peach members & learn about their exciting retreat this summer....
I just updated my profile, so read it if you haven't.  I made it a little more interesting so people knew what I wanted to offer. Today I will connect with...
Happy New Year!
One Year Ago
I recently heard this from someone and thought it was worth sharing. Our life is like a car.  We are in the driver's seat and have the control to go in any...
Brandy H, Awareness Manager has also imported 2 external blogs.
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