We took him to Children's Hospital to have an ABR (hearing test) done when he a few weeks old and found that he was responsive, which meant most likely he had inner ears (which we were originally told in the NICU that he didn't, from looking at his CT scan). He was then fitted for a BAHA Soft band, bone conduction hearing aid. This hearing aid would allow sound to get from his environment to the inner ear through bone conduction, totally bypassing the outer and middle ear!!! YAY!!!
He got his first BAHA when he was about 7 weeks old, my baby was hearing me clearly for the first time, it was awesome!! I was very depressed before this, thinking that my baby wasn't hearing his mommy sing and talk to him. I would hold him on my chest, and press my lips to his head and hum, hoping that he could somehow hear my humming, or at least feel it.
~First time wearing his hearing aid~
I love the look on his face, like "what it all this noise" haha
I love the look on his face, like "what it all this noise" haha
We later found out, when he got older, that he COULD hear without his hearing aid on, he doesn't hear great, but still good news!! So he WAS hearing me when I would sing to him, and definitely hearing my humming, through bone conduction.
I swear, sometimes it seems as if he can hear us clear as day without his "He's" (that's what he calls his hearing aids) on. I know that's not the case, he basically hears as if you were to go under water and listen, or plug your ears, that's sort of how he can hear with out them on. A little different though because we have ear canals he has bone and cartilage. Anyway, that's just an "example". Normal hearing range is 10-20 decibels, Davin's hearing is at 60-65 decibels. With his hearing aids on he is close to the normal hearing range :-) It doesn't sound like you and I hear, but at least he can hear, right?!?!
He wears a headband on his head with, now, two hearing aids attached to it. We have a lot of people stare, ask what is on his head, make guesses at what it is. I don't mind when people ask us about him, but to the people that make their assumptions, NO its not a "thermometer", or a "gps tracking system", or "part of a costume", he doesn't "Look silly", he doesn't "Look like Shrek". He is an amazing little boy, who happens to wear a headband, with two bone conductive hearing aids attached to it, on his head.
If adults made any of those comments, you have more restraint that I do. Wow. People are morons.
ReplyDeleteWho says things like that?
I mean, I can understand a child being curious. Even an adult. But to make a comment saying he looks like Shrek? OMG.
Yup, these comments have all been made by adults!! They have been made on many different occasions too, even the Shrek one was made twice, on two seperate occasions. Kids who ask about him have enough common sense, they just flat out ask, "what's on his head", or "what's wrong with him". I don't mind the kids asking "what's wrong with him because they probably don't know any better way to ask.
ReplyDeletePeople are dumb. They never learned "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". :p I would definitely be passing out here's your sign cards or something. :p
ReplyDeleteWe went through a much milder version of "can he hear?" with Alex, who failed his first 3 (or 4?) hearing screenings. We were told he was likely deaf and put on a wait list for further testing through the state. The thought of waiting drove me mad. We eventually went through private insurance once we realized we could and thankfully it all turned out fine. I'm glad first assumptions aren't always true.
Shannon - you are one strong Momma. When Ryver had his pavlik harness for hip dysplasia we got lots o ridiculous comments too... people are ignorant. Give Davin a big giant hug from me and Ryver. That little man has already been through so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Des and Tonya!! You both are strong mommas too!! Des, I remember that with Alex!!! I'm so glad they were wrong :-)
ReplyDeleteTonya, I don't remember that with Ryver, I'm sorry!! And I'm sorry you got to experience the ignorance too lol!! I will give Davin a hug!!
I understand that people don't know, and are curious and I'm fine with that but just some of the comments that come out of their mouths....
he is such a handsome man! :) can't wait to see his new ears!
ReplyDelete