Yesterday we went for a programming session. As we waited in the lobby, they were having a preschool open house. We watched, as children with hearing aids and cochlear implants came in for their first day of school. It was interesting to see the CI parents looking at each CI child to see how that child was wearing his/her processor. It's sometimes a challenge to figure out where to clip Audrena's processor, although we love the waterproof Neptune and that she doesn't have to always have a processor on her ear. Someday we figure we will get her a behind-the-ear model so she has that option, but for now we joined those parents looking for ideas, especially as potty training is around the corner for us. We definitely wouldn't want a processor falling in the toilet!
Our Audiologist, J., asked what kinds of things we have noticed in the past two weeks. I warned her that she would think I was lying to her, but it was all true. Then I talked about Audrena beginning to turn when her name is called, saying "mmmm," saying "ssshhhh," playing Peek-A-Boo, and attempting to say "boo." She was happy to hear it all, and she did say that it's early for those things, particularly the "ssshhhh," which is not even age-appropriate for her to be doing yet. We were obviously excited to hear that, although we know we have lots of hard work ahead, and we'll have some slow times with Audrena's progress.
Audrena did not cooperate well in the booth, or for any reflex testing. She is, as J. said, "a hard nut to crack." So they adjusted her programs a bit and gave us two more to try, each one just slightly louder than the previous, but not by much, as Audrena is already hearing soft sounds like "ssshhhh."
We went to lunch in between the programming appointment and seeing Dr. L. There were speakers above each table, although the music was not very loud. The restaurant was pretty empty, so we did not have much noise to contend with. Throughout the meal, Audrena repeatedly pointed at her ear, then at the speakers, and she would often dance, or bounce to the beat of the music.
Here is a short video clip from my cell phone. I was a second too late to catch her really pointing at her ear, but that's what the video starts with. She then points up at the speakers, takes a bite of food, and dances/bounces to the music a bit.
After lunch, we walked the mall a bit and then headed to the Pre-Op appointment. As we waited in the lobby, a little boy asked very politely what Audrena was wearing on her head. Randy explained that her ear doesn't work, so this helps her hear. The little boy then turned to his mom and said, "Mom, you should get me one of those!" Randy laughed, picturing our own Kelton saying something like that since we are always telling him, "Listen to me!"
Dr. L. checked Audrena over, discussed the surgery, and answered any questions we had. One question was, how would she wear her other processor with the neoprene bandage over her head for 3 days? He said we should be able to adjust the magnet strength accordingly. Yay! I didn't want her to go 3 days without access to sound. By the end of the appointment, Audrena was plenty mad at Dr. L. for messing with her ears. He said he would see us Tuesday, patted me on the back, and said "bye bye" to Audrena. She looked at him like, "Yeah, that's right. I'm getting out of here." Then she turned and pointed at the door. He smiled and said, "You understood that didn't you!" She grinned back, as if to say, "Yes, I did!" Another small miracle.
Yeah! Keep the miracles coming!
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