The lives of our sweet babies would not be complete without a visit to the audiologist. As neither of us have any family history of hearing loss at birth, we assumed Sophie's hearing loss was a "fluke." However, we were shocked two weeks ago when the lady came at the hospital to do Will's newborn hearing screening and told us that he, too, had failed. So today it was off to the audiologist for Will.
After about an hour-and-a-half of testing, we were told - surprise! - that Will has hearing loss as well. Unfortunately, Will's hearing loss is worse than Sophie's; what his audiologist called mild to moderate loss. We are supposed to return in a month to have them run the tests again. If his results stay consistent, as they are expected to, his audiologist will fit him for little hearing aids soon after.
Despite the looming uncertainties I felt on my drive home, I found myself praising our awesome God! We are so thankful that Will's hearing isn't worse and that he doesn't have additional or more severe problems. We're so grateful that we live in an age where this was caught early and will be corrected. We pray that wearing little hearing aids will develop compassion and humility in our sweet little boy as well as in his parents.
Here is a picture of our little lab rat all hooked up for testing. If you're interested, see below for more details about Will's hearing loss.
Below is the same graph I used to describe Sophie's hearing loss. The green line, at the 20 decibel (dB) mark, is where they would ideally like all kiddos to fall for hearing. The lower on the page you go, the worse the level of hearing. The red section is where Sophie's hearing loss falls. The blue line is Will's hearing loss. He hears a little better at lower frequency sounds, and it gradually gets a little worse as the frequency becomes higher. All those pictures and speech sounds (the letters) that are above the blue line are sounds that Will cannot currently hear. When he gets hearing aids his hearing should be corrected at least up to that green 20 dB line.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Four Beautiful Little Hearing Impaired Ears
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11 comments:
What others would call a setback you've allowed God to use for His purpose. Sophie and Will are already ahead of the curve because you have such a great perspective and are so proactive. They are so blessed to have you and Ben as parents!
Your children will inevitably possess a tender, compassionate, gracious countenance. They will see the lost and broken hurting souls around them and jump at the chance to serve. They will follow Christ and His teachings with all their hearts. How can they have the two of you to raise them and not? Now the hearing thing? That makes me wonder what incredable uncomprehendable goodness He has in store for them. I will pray and watch expectantly to find out. I love you all so much!
That picture of him in the carseat is so precious. What a beautiful boy!
I know that Will (and Sophie) are going to grow up into amazing people! Like the commenters before me pointed out, they are so blessed to have you and Ben as parents!
Oh, you guys. I'm sorry this has happened again, but I am so thankful with you that it's not worse!
Praise the Lord for going before us and paving the way with everyday graces.
We are praying for you all!
Jer 29:11-13
11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
We know God has great things planned for your sweet, little family, because you do call on Him with all of your heart, and you will teach Sophie and Will to also lean on the Lord. We love you all, Grandma & Grandad Eroh
We're sorry to hear about this news, but it's so wonderful the positive attitude that you're having about it. God will truly use this as a opportunity to be praised. We're praying for a good follow up test in a month.
Rachel
I will keep little Will's ears in my prayers. I have no doubt things will be just fine and dandy, and like you said, thank goodness we have such great early detection and technology to help out those tiny ears.
I am sorry to hear about Will's hearing loss but so thankful that technology will allow him to be fitted for hearing aids at such a young age.
Summer Lashley sent me your blog today and I was touched. I dont think you know me but my husband in cousins with Meagan Hawley....anyway. The reason i wanted to write was our 1st born was diaganosed with the same hearing loss it sounds like Will has. She has been wearing hearing aids since she was 6 weeks old and is doing great with everything! Anyway I would love to talk more. Feel free to email me amanda.watson@oc.edu
It was nice to catch up with you a bit while you were here. Your perspective on Will is a gift! He and Sophie are very blessed to have you. I agree, we are so blessed with such amazing doctors and assistive technology! For these two things, with the Lord's help, protected my little girl's entrance.
I was searching under images ( for the audiogram graph with pictures on it for a blog post of my on) on the msn home page and found this picture of your little guy. I noticed your last post was in march but wanted to leave a note because I can say "I know exactly how you feel and what you are going through". I grew up with hearing aids diagnosed at 4 years old and my brother had a loss in one ear, no previous family history! If you are looking for any info, insight or explanation about what it is like to have a hearing loss I would be more than happy to share all the info I have for you! I am learning all kids of tricks being a mom to a Hard of hearing child after having been a hard of hearing child myself. Can't say I know it all, I'm far from it, but learning a lot and would be willing to share anything you may need!
heidibugg@hotmail.com
Idaho falls, ID
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