Hear, not here.... Get it?!
For those of you that didn't know, Rowyn needs hearing aids. Two, for both ears. We've been going through testing and diagnosis since she was born. There is an infant hearing screening program that tests babies the day they're born for hearing. Rowyn didn't pass that day but we were reassured that this was common and we needed to get her retested in a couple of weeks. I took her to be tested but she didn't pass that one either. She wouldn't sit still - which is exactly like our girl. We were still unconcerned at that point. Finally 4 tests later, she was diagnosed with a moderate hearing loss and she'd need to have hearing aids in both ears. Of course Brad and I were a little distressed but we were glad that we were able to get this diagnosed early and get her the aids quickly. We have had lots of great support from family and friends as well as information overload coming to us from the hearing program. We feel very lucky that we're able to get things rolling for Rowyn sooner rather than later so she has the best chance to develop her speech normally and to hear everything that she should.
It's been an 8 month journey with some ups and downs, some uncertainties and dark spots, but today was the day that Rowyn received her hearing aids complete with sparkles! (The ear molds have little coloured sparkles in them! - I couldn't resist) The audiologist had a bit of a struggle getting them on her. She's playing 'strange' and was a little pouty and shy with the audiologist. Once they were on you could see that she was hearing different things. She was looking around as if to say "What's that?". She didn't cry or anything. Once she had both on it was like they were immediately part of her. She didn't bother them the whole rest of the day. She wore them through a nap in the car on the way home, a visit to Grandma's and even through Khaos checking them out by giving them a few licks. I hope she stays indifferent to them in the next weeks and coming years. The last thing we need is to find them floating face up in Khaos' dish of water (Yikes!)
Here is Rowyn modeling her new accessories
12 comments:
Hey Guys! Love those pictures, she is such a cutey! Can't wait to see her (and you!) again, she sure is growing fast! Talk to you soon ~Lauren
What a sweet pea! Now you'll have the fight when she gets older and turns them off so she really won't be able to hear you....when she doesn't want to that is (lol)
Kids, they will throw a loop at you every which way won't they....
take care and see you soon
Trish, Glen and Gail
Hey Guys
I think she gets even more adorable every time we see her!
Kelly, Mark and Josh
Great pictures....ollie
What make are her hearing aids and if you wore them, would you cover them with your hair?
To anonymous... The make is Phonak Mini's and if I wore them, I wouldn't necessarily cover them with my hair. It would depend on how I wanted to wear my hair that day. Some days up, some days down. Just like I'll do for Rowyn.
Yeah! Hearing aids. They are a girl's best friend. Believe me - I take them over diamonds any day. I had sparkles once for awhile. I also had red ones too. I still wear the wear the red ones for holiday seasons.
hi everyone! Rowyn is such a beautiful baby! I am so impressed that the world has progressed to test for hearing loss at such a young age...she will be spared many frustrating moments through the early use of her aids (my almost 50 year old siblings still use the 'turn them off/take them out' trick) - is there any chance we will see you in Bridgetown in the summer? Jocelyn (Lauren's mom)
Jocelyn... as it stands now, we're planning on coming the last week in July. No specific date yet.... we're hoping Rowyn still likes the car and we don't have to stock up on too many Cheerious and rasins for the ride out there to keep her occupied! Karissa
hi Karissa - we may be able to overlap a bit - we'll time it so we don't infringe on your visit with Jai and Lauren more than a few hours or a day max! Good luck with the drive - Rowyn will be great ... she'll sleep lots and will wonder why her Mommy and Daddy seem so tired! You've probably heard lots of advice ... things like, travel early in the day and enjoy the wading pools and lakes along the way truly do work! Jocelyn
Brad and Karissa and Rowyn,
A perfect stranger...kind of... I'm Janet, Jocelyn's sister in Calgary (who wears Phonaks too). When Jocelyn called tonight, our conversation turned to Rowyn's new experience with her new hearing aids. I just had new molds made today and didn't know that I could have had sparkled ones!! I'm a grade one teacher so I know how 'cool' I would have been to show off my new sparkle molds to my students. Next ones! As an early childhood educator I applaud you for your prompt and loving response to work out the diagnosis of Rowyn's hearing loss so early. You will reap the benefits of your decision each new day, especially so when Rowyn meets every developmental language milestone in a normal pattern. By the time she starts school, you will have all the information you need to meet her environmental needs in the classroom. I have them all in my classroom for me, and every teacher in our primary wing has adapted their classrooms in the same way. Great for learning for everyone was the verdict.
Brad and Karissa, Rowyn is 'cute as a button' --best care as the three of you get used to your new ear tools and routines. It appears that every member of both families combined! are marching out like magnets to Jai and Lauren's Nova Scotia this summer.
Best Care,
Janet Pletz
Janet. Thanks for your kind words and support! Rowyn's been amazing with her aids. She hasn't pulled them off or made too much of a fuss when we put them in. I'm looking forward to her progress with them. Hope to see you this summer at The Soloy's East Divison!
Karissa
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