My daughter was diagnosed with high frequency sensioneural hearing loss bilaterally about 2 weeks before the start of the school year. She had gone for her kindergarten physical and failed her hearing test. They at first thought maybe it was a fluke since it was the first time she did the test and actually had to follow the directions. Being that they could not pass her on her forms she had to go to the audiologist where she had 2 more tests that confirmed it was in fact not a fluke.
This started a whirl wind of activity for us at a time of great transition for her. We had to sign her up and wait for approval for medical assistance (the hearing aids are expensive) and figure out ways to make sure she is able to learn to the best of her abilities in school. She has no other issues does not have any academic or behavioral issues as well as no speech issues. Lacking in speech issues is pretty much what masked the hearing loss.
There are certain sounds and frequencies that she cannot hear and or hurt her physically when she does hear. I was the meanest Mommy and had her get hearing aids that blended in with her hair and clear ear molds instead of bright red. Oticon is a wonderful company that makes removable stickers for their pediatric hearing aids and she has a blast changing those.
So here she is starting a new school where she knew no one in her new class, all of a sudden has these hearing aids and now can hear things she did not before and has to re learn how to adjust to those sounds in her world in order to concentrate and succeed.
For as long as I can remember she did not like loud noises. As parents we just decided to avoid those noises. This means sit blocks away from fireworks, avoid automatic toilets, no movies or bowling.
The reality is that we do not know what caused this or the future of the loss. We have no clue if this will get worse. As a baby she had GERD so bad she did not sleep through the night until 2 1/2 years old, she was on 2 different medications and special formula. She would eat and vomit and cry in pain 24/7 and the specialists could not figure out how to help her. She did grow out of it but it was still a very difficult time.
We will do all we can to help her accept this permanent hearing loss and the adjustments she needs to make in her daily living.
As I sit here and reflect on this first year there are 5 things I want my daughter to know.
1. I love you no matter what.
2. You are not your disability. You can still do whatever you want just maybe a little differently.
3. I am amazed at the strength and resilience you have shown while going through this. I know no child
wants to be different or stand out. You have dealt with this with grace and maturity beyond your years.
4. It is okay to advocate for yourself. It is okay to ask for help or for someone to repeat things for
you. That does not make you any less smart then your peers.
5. You are still the strong, beautiful, talented, smart, creative, wonderful person you were before the
hearing loss. You are still you and that is the best way to be.
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