Brandy H, Awareness Manager

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Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Who Has Hearing Loss: A child

Hearing Loss Type: Progressive Loss

Hearing Loss Cause: Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct

Device: cochlear

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 mainstream public school.  Megan even plays the piano.

 

Thanks to Cochlear Americas, the Clarke School in Jacksonville, the staff at Cunningham Creek Elementary 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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