It's been a week

It is hard to believe that it has been a week since Kylie's left cochlear implant was turned on.  Everyone asks us how is she doing, is it working etc?

When they turn on the implant think of it like the volume button on your TV.  She's at a level 1 where the goal is to be at 20.  At level 1 some noises and even voices make her jumpy.  The goal is for her to start to be able to distinguish sounds she is hearing. (To the "experts" that read the blog - I tried my best to explain it!) We have been practicing nightly of just wearing the new CI and learning and teaching sounds with her.   So.. that leads to the doctor's appointment for today.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend today but got a great debrief from Brian.

In the beginning Kylie has to go weekly to get new programming, they work with her and set three programs for her cochlear.  Ideally she uses program 1 for a few days (think volume 3) then program 2 and then program 3 and then we are back again to get more programs.  Each program increases the access.  Keep in mind this doesn't mean she will speak clearly when she is at 20.  She has to be taught like a baby all over again how to talk and what to say.  The benefit she has is she is so far along with the other ear.

So when Kylie went to the appointment today the Doctors were THRILLED with her progress so far.  They even questioned if they accidentally left on the"older right cochlear implant on".  The sounds and progress exceeds where she was at at this point on the right side.  We owe this to all the doctors and professionals that work with Kylie everyday.  Not to mention that Kylie when faced with a challenge does not back down (hmm no idea where she gets that from). 

We are so happy that the implant is working and she is gaining access from it already.  Imagine the blog post in six months.  Will you ever know she was deaf and hard of hearing?

Check out the videos from today

The first video shows the doctor testing Kylie with sounds with only the new CI on and she has to repeat.  

The second video shows Kylie being the doctor (which she wants to be) and testing Dr. Myriam with the sounds.  Since Kylie has been going to University of Miami she always gets stickers when she does well.. So she repeated the favor. (I love the white coat - Can I retire yet??)