1/23/13 - Latest Sound

The second hand of a battery operated wall clock....tick, tick, tick, tick.

A Time of Reflection - 1/19/13

Speech therapist saw a lot of improvement since our last visit over a month ago. Thankful for the affirmation. She is discriminating words with same beginning sounds and different endings  (ex: leap from leaf) and vice versa (Paul from tall). Also, she is responding without any prompting to sounds like water splashing under the car during heavy rain, someone dropping something, i.e, things we hear all the time and ignore.

One of the bands at Remedy Coffee last night played a really jazzy song with a strong, fast beat. She kept perfect time with the rhythm. Just seeing the changes in her is so touching. She loved it. My heart continues to be full of thankfulness and praise:

I will exalt you, my God the King;

I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you

and extol your name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:1-2

Laughter of children, singing of birds, beautiful music, running water, footsteps of our family coming down the hallway, furnace clicking on to bring warmth......... Listen for special sounds today and give Thanks!

1/16/13 - 3 month checkup

Christmas Eve

Wednesday Alexandra went for her 3-month post-op checkup. She has not completely healed yet (some flaking, extra skin where her scar is), but Dr Merwin doesn't need her to return for 6 months. She has also developed a sore place on her ear where the processor lays against her ear. This will eventually adapt with a slight callous.  He was pleased she is doing so well. We are so Blessed!

We asked about the possibility of an implant on her right ear. She would receive an additional 20% increase in hearing and localization of sound. In Alexandra's case, he did not think it was worth it as long as she is receiving benefit from her right hearing aid.Our Prayer is that her hearing in her right ear will stabilize for many years. She also had a hearing test this week on her right ear, and the results were slightly better than a year ago. That was a first!  Her ear may have been healthier at the time of this testing.  We also don't need to return for 6 months for any tweaking of the settings. God is Good!!!

Another good report is she is doing so well in the area of ear infections. She has not had one since the implant in spite of a cold which often leads to an infection. Thank You Father!!!

Speech therapy at UT will resume today. She has done really well during the holidays, and we are excited to see what the therapist thinks of her improvement.

As a surprise we are taking her to HEAR her nephew perform at Remedy Coffee in the Old City. What fun!

1/1/13 - New Skills and Sounds this New Year

Alexandra has known how to sort dirty and clean laundry for several years. However, during the holidays, I  decided she needed to learn how to wash and dry laundry. To do this efficiently, she would need to depend upon her hearing--in other words, hear the buzzers when it is time to take clothes out.  We were on the 3rd load when she heard the dryer buzz with her bedroom door shut, no less. This is something we all take for granted, but she would never have heard a buzzer prior to her implant. As the new year begins, I give thanks for another sound that is enriching her and our lives. Thank you Heavenly Father!!!