Today's appointment at University of Miami for Kylie was an A+++++++++++++++ appointment. It's hard to believe how far we have come, when we first started having appointments, Kylie's cooperation levels weren't exactly perfect. (Meltdowns were common and bribes were abundant) Now, she walks in like she owns the place and sits patiently and participates as she is needed.
Today wasn't just an A plus due to Kylie's behavior, it was an A plus as Kylie has made HUGE progress since being activated less than two months ago on her left ear. The reaction from the doctors is this is a lot faster and farther than they would anticipate Kylie to be at at this point. Music to our ears!! While you probably aren't as familiar with levels you should be at for hearing you are probably familiar with the 20/20 Vision. Well Kylie's right and left ears are very very close to 20/20. Is that not amazing to be labeled as Deaf and Hard of Hearing and now be at these levels?? That's technology, hard work and amazing professionals (our small village)!!
Here is a picture of Kylie's Audiogram from 2011 the straight line around 20 is normal hearing ideally you would want to be at or above that. Kylie's left ear is the line that starts around 50 and drops significantly. Her right ear is the line that is at the bottom. You can see how she was missing out on so many sounds based on what she was hearing.
Here is Kylie's Audiogram from today. See the lines at or around 20? LOVE THEM!
This means that Kylie has access to hear all sounds. This does NOT mean that she is walking around with perfect pronunciation and is now talking clear. This is all learned and something she works hard on each day. For instance, we live in Coral Springs. Kylie says Horal. So we practice and practice. Then there is Corn for what comes out like.. You get the picture!
The technology incorporated into her cochlear implants is amazing and we are blessed that she was born in the day and age of technology. We are still excited to see her use the Bluetooth and take a phone call in her head! For now practice practice practice and her speech and vocabulary will improve. One step at a time!
The doctors were so impressed with her results today we went from bi-weekly appointments to not having to come back to July.
Our Smiley Kylie -- another hurdle to check off the list! Love her to pieces!
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