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Monday, May 14

Raise Your Hand!

Everyday in the US, approximately 1 in 1,000 newborns is born profoundly deaf, with another 2-3 of 1,000 babies born with partial hearing loss. While pregnant with Drew I worried about so many things, but not once did I ever worry about him being able to hear. Little did I know that it is the most common birth defect in the United States.

My life has been forever changed as a result of congenital hearing loss, but I have taken action to not let this hearing loss impact Drew's ability to communicate in the hearing world. There are amazing technological advances that people of all ages with hearing loss can take advantage of, but only if their hearing loss is properly diagnosed and treated.

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month and I recently learned of an awareness effort called "Raise Your Hand". If you have ever taken a hearing test yourself, you know that when you hear the tones in the headphones you raise your hand. If you or someone you know is dealing with the far reaching effects of a hearing loss, "Raise Your Hand" for better hearing and help do something about it!

5 comments:

Iz and K. said...

Hi!!!
Thank you for visiting us!!! :0)
Kauan hasn't been implanted yet, but he will in September!! Here in California they can only be implanted when they are at least 12 months old!
I'm so glad Drew is having his implant next month, Oh that is great!!! Please, keep me posted on how things go!!
You can also email me if you like, izbataglin@gmail.com

Isabelle!
Kauan's mom!

Iz and K. said...

Yes, we're very lucky to live so close to JTC. But we're actually moving at the end of the year to Charlotte, NC!! :( But I'm planning on flying here for the summer sessions too!!! :) It would be nice if they get to meet some day!
I absolutely agree with you that the "brand" it's not important, I think that the hard work after the implant is what's going to make the difference!!
I can't wait!

:)
Isabelle!

Iz and K. said...

Hi!!!!

I agree with you, we have to do what is best for our kids and I'm really happy Drew is getting the implant so young and simultaneously, that's wonderful!!!!

I agree with you, I think that the bilateral is necessary for profoundly deaf people and I want the same thing for Kauan!!

I like to talk about all the possibilities in my blog, so I make people think about things, make comments, give their point of view and maybe help other parents think more and make their decisions... :0) I believe that our blogs are almost like a "virtual support group" and it's so good that so many people are participating and getting to help other families!!

:0)
I can't wait to hear about Drew's bilateral implant, and thank you for giving me the Let Them Hear foundation website, that's going to be really helpful for us!

Isabelle

Anonymous said...

Hi,

You have great blog. right on the subject.
I found your blog as I was looking for hearing aids and specific information on ampliear.

I have also found more articles on hearing aids.

I would like to hear your opinion on these reviews. Are they for real?

Regards,

Drew's Mom said...

Hi anonymous,

We really did not do any research on hearing aids. Given Drew's level of loss (90 db or greater at all frequencies), we were certain that hearing aids would not help Drew. Therefore, we accepted loaner hearing aids through our local early intervention service. We didn't spend time looking at all of the different brands and their pro's/con's.

I would recommend that you work with your audiologist to select the best hearing aid for your loss. I have found that many audiologists have a distinct opinion on what brands they like and are used to programming.

Thank you for visiting Drew's blog.

Drew's Mom