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 was off air.Hmm, "the girl" got really nervous and told my mother she'd have to go sit down and not hover over her w...
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 4, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: Val Blakely Source Type: blogs
Brace Yourself
After years of anticipation, guess who will be getting braces next Saturday?That's right, this guy! We tried for over a year to get insurance to pay for them since it is medically necessary per the dentists, and orthodontists that we work closely with, BUT since he does not have a cleft palate, we got a big fat no! Goldenhar Syndrome has left his mouth with its share of challenges and we are not sure yet how long he will wear the braces but we'll see how it all goes.We are moving teeth around to fill in the gaps where no adult teeth are present. Then, the dentist will be able to shape what he does have and after that he'll...
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 3, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Wanted...
...because some deaf children really do hear! The boy picked up a guitar last summer and hasn't put it down since. So five guitars later, we started him in guitar lessons to couple his natural talent...I should say un-natural talent, God-given, God-decided-to-bless-him talent. However you look at it, if you had asked me ten years ago when he was four if he'd be able to ever hear a guitar well, much less play one, I would have said NO. (Source: Cochlear Kids)
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 2, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Wanted...
...because some deaf children really do hear! The boy picked up a guitar last summer and hasn't put it down since. So five guitars later, we started him in guitar lessons to couple his natural talent...I should say un-natural talent, God-given, God-decided-to-bless-him talent. However you look at it, if you had asked me ten years ago when he was four if he'd be able to ever hear a guitar well, much less play one, I would have said NO. (Source: Cochlear Kids)
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 1, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: Val Blakely Source Type: blogs
Regional Tech Fair
One proud Mama alert...Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this high-tech kid would be standing in front of judges presenting a project about her cochlear implants. She and her friend/partner decided to do a project about B's ears and how technology helps her hear and the impact it makes at school, including her friends' point of view and how her peers play a role in her success.These girls were asked many questions, they answered confidently, and brought home first place medals......next month, the are to present their project at the state competition! (Source: Cochlear Kids)
Source: Cochlear Kids - March 15, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Big Boy
In person, I know he still seems small for 13, but today at his annual appointment to see the CRS team consisting of a nutritionist, social worker, a team of dental experts, etc., they were BLOWN away by his growth spurt. Even more remarkable, this spurt actually happened sometime between May and November because we had other doctor visits in between to do weigh-ins....He has never been above the 5th percentile and today.....25th percentile!!! He has grown nearly 4 inches and gained 19 pounds in that time frame. It sparked their interest in Goldenhar Syndrome and several declared they do some more research on the subject.T...
Source: Cochlear Kids - January 22, 2015 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
87
Gman had an appointment today to check his height and weight because some of his medication suppresses his appetite. Well, at age 13.5 exactly....he's finally broke the 80 lb mark at a whopping 87 pounds!! We are thrilled! He's 5 ft 2 in and gained 10 lbs in the last 5 months!! His failure to thrive as a baby has come a long way.Orthodontia was denied by insurance despite his syndrome that is directly responsible for his anomalies. We go see the oral surgeon again in January and see if new paperwork will get it passed through because he not only needs braces, he needs dental implants and possibly jaw surgery as well. I use...
Source: Cochlear Kids - November 11, 2014 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
87
Gman had an appointment today to check his height and weight because some of his medication suppresses his appetite. Well, at age 13.5 exactly....he's finally broke the 80 lb mark at a whopping 87 pounds!! We are thrilled! He's 5 ft 2 in and gained 10 lbs in the last 5 months!! His failure to thrive as a baby has come a long way.Orthodontia was denied by insurance despite his syndrome that is directly responsible for his anomalies. We go see the oral surgeon again in January and see if new paperwork will get it passed through because he not only needs braces, he needs dental implants and possibly jaw surgery as well. I use...
Source: Cochlear Kids - November 11, 2014 Category: Other Conditions Authors: Val Source Type: blogs
A Blakely Update
Not a lot of posting from the Cochlear Kids as of late but we are in full swing here in Alabama public school. Gage has started the 8th grade and is doing well so far. They are beginning to read The Giver in English class. He was also assigned Music Class and despite his initial thoughts, it will be a true asset to him in the future if he wants to play guitar. He picked it up a few short weeks ago on summer break and with a few chords from his daddy and a few from a cousin, he's learning...Brooklyn has entered the 5th grade. She is still with me everyday since I work at the school full-time now. She will leave me afte...
Source: Cochlear Kids - August 20, 2014 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
A Blakely Update
Not a lot of posting from the Cochlear Kids as of late but we are in full swing here in Alabama public school. Gage has started the 8th grade and is doing well so far. They are beginning to read The Giver in English class. He was also assigned Music Class and despite his initial thoughts, it will be a true asset to him in the future if he wants to play guitar. He picked it up a few short weeks ago on summer break and with a few chords from his daddy and a few from a cousin, he's learning...Brooklyn has entered the 5th grade. She is still with me everyday since I work at the school full-time now. She will leave me afte...
Source: Cochlear Kids - August 20, 2014 Category: Other Conditions Authors: Val Source Type: blogs
Her " New Ears " Audiogram
Her last audiogram in 2013 w/her Freedoms...and you can see her Speech Reception was at 20 db...meaning she can hear speech softer than that looking at the chart but not clearly enough to understand it until you reach 20 decibels.Now with her new N6 ' s... She still hears very well with her CIs but can hear clearly at 5 db in the sound proof booth. That ' s a soft whisper! We all know that in any type of noise that will dramatically decrease her ability to hear speech but we are very pleased with her new ears and the main thing is...she too is very pleased with them and that ' s the most important!! Sh...
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 12, 2014 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
Her "New Ears" Audiogram
Her last audiogram in 2013 w/her Freedoms...and you can see her Speech Reception was at 20 db...meaning she can hear speech softer than that looking at the chart but not clearly enough to understand it until you reach 20 decibels.Now with her new N6's... She still hears very well with her CIs but can hear clearly at 5 db in the sound proof booth. That's a soft whisper! We all know that in any type of noise that will dramatically decrease her ability to hear speech but we are very pleased with her new ears and the main thing is...she too is very pleased with them and that's the most important!! She will...
Source: Cochlear Kids - July 12, 2014 Category: Audiology Authors: VBnBama Source Type: blogs
