My Baby got his hearing aids today :)
For those who aren't on facebook, I have just copied the blog post I wrote and included a pic too!
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So today we went to Brisbane to get DS's hearing aids. When we arrived we got straight in and he had them put straight in. I was then shown how to put them in and care for them.
He pulled them out twice within the first hour, but after that he wasn't too bad. I took them out in the car on the way home, and will probably do that all the time because I don't want him taking them out and throwing them or worse eating them!
I haven't noticed any difference with him, he has always responded to sound anyway. The hearing aids will just help him develop his speech and language. I was surprised that they told me to put them in and leave them in. i thought I might need to build up, a couple of hours in then give him a break, but the audiologist said that because he can hear without them it's not a huge shock for him. Not like going from 0 - 100 in sound.. They are very smart hearing aids and they just amplify the softer sounds he couldn't hear. I have no idea how they do it, but apparently they do! They are pre set, so unless I undo the ends and take out the battery they are turned on. The volume switch has been deactivated so that way DS can't play with them and mess with the volume or turn them on and off. They are set to amplify his hearing from the best result he got on the hearing test. This ensures that it's not too loud. (If that makes sense)
We will probably have to have impressions for the ear moulds about 2-3 monthly at this stage, depending on how fast he grows. DS will also have another hearing test when he is about 9 months adjusted. It's not the same as he had before though, it's one where they sit him down and make sounds from loud to soft and get him to turn in the direction of the sound (The other test measured brain response to sound).. Then I guess depending on that test they will adjust the hearing aids..
Next we saw the speech pathologist. He had a 'speech' assessment and she concluded that he is pretty much developing how he should be for his adjusted age, but a bit delayed in the consonants, which could be related to the hearing loss. Hopefully now he has the hearing aids he will start saying those sounds.. I am waiting for him to say Mum mum mum :)
We spoke about early intervention and the speechy seemed to think at this point therapy sessions at the hospital should be enough. She said if I thought he wasn't progressing by about 18 months then I could look into other options. I am still going to check out some other early intervention centres because I would rather not wait. I don't want to get to 18 months then realise he's delayed then fix it.. I'd rather just get the right help to begin with. Anyway, that's something I'll decide once I have all the info available. I go for an interview at Hear and Say centre next week, so I'll see what they offer us. (and how much they charge!)
After our appointments we popped over to ICN to show off the new accessories. The nurses loved seeing Jett and he got lots of cuddles.. We were sad Dr D wasn't there today, I know she would have loved to see him..
So there we are. DS now has hearing aids. Now the challenge is for me to actually remember to put them in, I'll have to incorporate them into the morning routine. The other challenge will be to not lose the little screw driver thingy I need to unlock the hearing aids to turn them off! Then of course the third challenge will be not to lose them!! I am worried about back carrying him now, he could have a field day, pulling them out and pegging them in woolies never to be found again lol!
