So, in the meantime Braden and I were thinking . . . ok, what now!? Yell at her so she can hear us until the hearing aids are here? What can she even hear? What do we do? Should we change how we communicate with her!? Do we WAIT for the hearing aids to be here?
And then . . . a MiRaCle happened . . . .
My mom, just recently, started keeping in touch with a friend from 5th GRADE! (5th grade people). Who, ironicly, has 2 children with coclear implants (used when hearing loss is severe to profound), AND is the president (I think) of the Nevada chapter of some program for parents of deaf or hard of hearing children. ANYWAYS, Like a day after we found out about Evie's hearing loss (at the time pretty much no one knew but us), this lady (from 5th grade) sent my mom a package with a magazine that had some pages flagged w/ sticky notes. So my mom is going through this magazine and the first note says, "Just thought you might find this article interesting, this is so much a part of me." It was an article w/ questions and answers for parents just finding out about their childs hearing loss. SO GREAT! But the greatest part of it all, is we called my moms friend to get some more info and she hooked me up with a lady she knows from http://www.jtc.org/ and gave me her number, and here is the most EnCouRaGiNg information she told me:
3 most important things to do with your child while waiting for hearing aids (BUT I think this really applies to any infant - it's very basic, but very effective)
- Talk close to them. Don't be further than 1ft away when trying to communicate. Speak with clarity, don't yell, and don't exagerate your lip movements.
- TALK and TALK and TALK to them. Tons of conversation! Explain and narrorate everything going on around you. Talk until people around you are thinking, "Geez lady, are you ever going to shut up?!"
- SING to them! Singing imitates speech. It will help them learn high and low, loud and soft, and rythem. You can also turn on music - any music (dance too)!
Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteOh this is SO neat!
ReplyDeletewow, whit. your plate is so full and it sounds like you're doing a great job, keep it up
ReplyDeleteyou are going to have lots of miracles with this little girl.
ReplyDeletewe have a family friend who's little boy was born with hearing loss and she has an AMAZING BLOG! he is doing so great now @ 2 and talks like crazy.
http://iamthankfulformyears.blogspot.com/
check it out if you want. {i'm sure you are sick of the information overload- but this can hopefully be a place of relief.}
ok. i'm done blabbing now. {sorry for all the comments}
xo
k
Those are great tips for any baby! I find myself a lot hollering at Myla from across the room. Evie is going to do great! Let this empower you!
ReplyDeleteWhitney
ReplyDeleteso glad to have contact with you. trust me, i can completely relate to the whirlwind of emotion, and too much information swirling in your mind. where you are at now is still fresh in my memory. it can only get better from here. promise.
for now, you're doing the right thing. take one day at a time. stay informed with what other's have done with their children with hearing loss and decide what your goals for her are. question: is there any chance the doctor can do the molds the same day as the hearing aid evaluation?
talk expressivly to your daughter's face so she can see you speak. if you're in the northern virginia area contact chattering children for therapy. they are all wonderful! your daughter can start therapy as soon as she has her hearing aids.
as for answering your question about keeping the aids on; the molds do wonders to keep them on the head. we used double sided wig tape. most importantly for the first few weeks little ones pull their aids out and chew on them. purchase a hanna anderson tie hat (you can see them on alexander when he was younger). those help a lot!
contact me anytime: monicabishopp@hotmail.com
btw, i know i would love one of your quilts for my first baby girl that will arrive in the months ahead. :) so beautiful!
That is so amazing and encouraging! I'm so glad for you! That you have the motivation to learn what you can to help her in every way possible! It speaks volumes for what kind of person you are and mother you are to her! She's lucky to have you guys!! Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you are learning more and getting the information and help that you need. Evie is such a doll! We should get together. I'm sure Brea would love it too! She loves to play with other kids. She's not the best at sharing but what can you do when they are this age!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you found someone who has gone through what you are going through now. Good luck with everything.
ReplyDeletefound your blog through your comment on monica's. my 2 yr old has bilateral implants...after we had 6 months of hearing aids. it is an incredible journey...she is now talking, singing, chattering, listening. i am nursing #2 as i write this, but if you have any questions, feel free to connect with me on my blog.
ReplyDelete