Spring Breakin' It
So what have The Blakelys been up to? It is best to do this in picture form. They were recently seen for an ear " tune up " . Brook is still on a once per year or as needed basis. Gage is still as needed but seems to be going every 9 weeks or so which is a huge jump from our monthly visits from previous years.What else is new? We ' ve spent the first three days of our Spring Break in either Dental or Orthodontic offices (no surprise there), trying to get some things taken care of while we are all out of school. No word on when they think Gage will (or if it is out of the plan) need his jaw distraction. We are still in the ...
Source: Cochlear Kids - March 30, 2016 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Spring Breakin' It
So what have The Blakelys been up to? It is best to do this in picture form. They were recently seen for an ear "tune up". Brook is still on a once per year or as needed basis. Gage is still as needed but seems to be going every 9 weeks or so which is a huge jump from our monthly visits from previous years.What else is new? We've spent the first three days of our Spring Break in either Dental or Orthodontic offices (no surprise there), trying to get some things taken care of while we are all out of school. No word on when they think Gage will (or if it is out of the plan) need his jaw distraction. We are still in the infan...
Source: Cochlear Kids - March 30, 2016 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
11 Years of Hearing
It is hard to believe we are approaching 11 years of hearing with our first born. Brooklyn has been hearing for almost that long as well, but Gage was three and a half years old when his first cochlear implant was turned on. Here's how funny all that noise can be!We had no idea that the three years of silence or at least minimal hearing aid benefit would never show at age 14. We didn't expect him to catch up so fast but a little boy's determination and hard work paid off. He was released (graduated) from AVT only a year later just when his sister began her journey. These two compliment each other well and they sure have ta...
Source: Cochlear Kids - October 12, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
The Problem with Hearing Kids
The problem with hearing kids, is they hear. We hearing parents of deaf children grow accustomed to being able to get up at 4:00 a.m. (or stay up to 4:00 a.m.) and do dishes, laundry, vacuum, any noisy task we want because our kids will sleep soundly. When hearing friends come over, we panic. Suddenly everything we do becomes magnified by 10,000 and we realize how noisy we parents really are.I "shhhhed" myself this morning when making breakfast as the two deaf ones slept soundly and the one hearing friend (also was out cold) was at risk for being awakened. Luckily, no fire alarms blared this morning (which is usual) so I w...
Source: Cochlear Kids - September 12, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Speech Therapy Bags
I was recently reminded of portable Speech Therapy bags. The ones we mom of hearing impaired children have in our homes, in our cars, at grandma's, practically everywhere we go. We know kids need toys to help occupy them at those long grueling appointments and they love to play, so why not combine playing and learning? Going through AVT (Auditory Verbal Therapy) and Speech Therapy with both of my children helped me be prepared for opportunity teachings.I have a list I have put together for some of the top 5 items I used to carry. I'm curious as to what parents carry in their therapy bags these days! You can view my listher...
Source: Cochlear Kids - August 15, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Speech Therapy Bags
I was recently reminded of portable Speech Therapy bags. The ones we mom of hearing impaired children have in our homes, in our cars, at grandma's, practically everywhere we go. We know kids need toys to help occupy them at those long grueling appointments and they love to play, so why not combine playing and learning? Going through AVT (Auditory Verbal Therapy) and Speech Therapy with both of my children helped me be prepared for opportunity teachings.I have a list I have put together for some of the top 5 items I used to carry. I'm curious as to what parents carry in their therapy bags these days! You can view my list he...
Source: Cochlear Kids - August 14, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: Val Blakely Source Type: blogs
Making an Electric Guitar
So what do bored teens do when school's out for summer...make homemade electric guitars of course! This first video is the very first one he made last week.The upgraded version of the guitar soon followed when a neighbor (who is very smart about a lot of topics-guitars is not one of them but welcomed the challenge) took the boy under his wing and let him come over everyday (for hours on end) and use tools, ask questions, and together...two great minds came up with this: (though he warns he still has string work to do) (Source: Cochlear Kids)
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 18, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Making an Electric Guitar
So what do bored teens do when school's out for summer...make homemade electric guitars of course! This first video is the very first one he made last week.The upgraded version of the guitar soon followed when a neighbor (who is very smart about a lot of topics-guitars is not one of them but welcomed the challenge) took the boy under his wing and let him come over everyday (for hours on end) and use tools, ask questions, and together...two great minds came up with this: (though he warns he still has string work to do) (Source: Cochlear Kids)
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 17, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: Val Blakely Source Type: blogs
Heavy Metal
Let's face it, he was heavy metal the minute he picked up his first guitar. Well, not really, but he is certainly cool enough to be...We finally got the boy in his braces. Sorry to all the Goldenhar patients that don't have a cleft palate, insurance will likely NOT pay for the braces. But that's okay. He is in them, and will be for a while. They only put on the top row this go around and will add the bottoms at a later appointment. He will also add the spacer later as well. He didn't want to put everything in his mouth at once and have the Gman super uncomfortable. The braces hurt bad enough, but nothing a little ibuprofen...
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 12, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Hovering
On an impromptu stop at a Wal Mart, my mother decided to get G's hair cut. He needed a cut desperately and she was being the good grandmother and getting that little chore out of the way while they were out shopping.Well, "the girl" my mother called her, sat G down and mother explained to her that once he removes his CIs that he'll hear nothing. Mother proceeded to explain how he wanted his hair trimmed up and assured "the girl" that she'd stand close by in case she needed her to communicate for her while he wasoff air.Hmm, "the girl" got really nervous and told my mother she'd have to go sit down and not hover over her wh...
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 5, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
