Mapping is All Greek to Me!

Drew had his third mapping appointment yesterday. Before they began to update his map they put Drew in the sound booth to see what he was hearing currently. Depending on the frequency, he was hearing somewhere between 25 – 40 db! Can you believe it? Just one month ago a jet engine could be roaring [...]

Makin’ Some Noise!

What a difference 23 days can make! Drew is making new noises daily. This journey is so amazing and we have only just begun.
In the last 23 days the loud, screeching sounds that Drew made before his cochlear implants have completely disappeared. Now our home is filled with beautiful “singing” and blissful laughter! It is [...]

Drew Can Hear The "Ling" Sounds (Video)

Drew is consistently moving through his different “maps” and is doing well. Yesterday we tested his hearing ability by having Drew’s Mom sit behind him and make the “Ling Sounds”. These sounds are 1) “aaah”, 2) “oooh”, 3) “eeee”, 4) “mmmm”, 5) “ssss”, and 6) “shhh”, and are supposed to represent the sounds [...]

Therapy, Mapping and Mom’s Out of Town

What a busy week! I am at my company’s annual National Sales Meeting in Washington, D.C. Drew’s Dad is a single parent this week and Grandma has been taking Drew all around Columbus for his appointments. Life is hectic. But so rewarding.
Drew had his first Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) on Monday morning. He did great! [...]

Fourth of July

We had a very nice Fourth of July. We took Drew and his sister to our local parade. We were so excited because Drew could hear so many of the sounds of the parade. He heard fire engine sirens, horns honking on the classic cars, planes flying in the sky and marching bands. It was [...]

"Is That It? I’ll Just Pay Cash."

We got Drew’s “Explanation of Benefits” for his bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implant operation in the mail on Tuesday. We had a little bet going on who would come closest to the total cost, but both Drew’s Mom and I were way too low.
The total “Provider Charges” were a whopping $155,232.71! However, because our [...]

Changes to Early Intervention

The Secretary of Education is proposing regulatory changes to the Early Intervention programs that service babies and toddlers with disabilities as a result of changes in 2004 to the Americans with Disablities Act. We all have an opportunity to comment on changes we would like. You can make comments until July 23rd.

The Technology of the Future?

I am so thankful for cochlear implants! They are already giving Drew the ability to hear things he couldn’t just a few days ago. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel sad sometimes that Drew is going to wear these the remainder of his life. Except at night. (What if there is a fire?) [...]