Cochlear Implants
When the audiologist told us in May 2003 that our 18-month-old daughter had never heard our voices and didn't even know her name, we were devastated, but not shocked. We had suspicions, but we were still unprepared for the news that our daughter was deaf. She was fitted with digital hearing aids, but they were not powerful enough, so we opted for a cochlear implant. Dr. Audie Woolley at Children's Hospital placed a Nucleus Contour 24 in Riley's right ear on Sept. 16, 2003. On Oct. 9, 2003, she heard our voices for the first time when her implant was activated. Riley did so well with the first CI that she received a second implant, this time in her left ear, on April 16, 2007. The improvement in her speech and understanding has been amazing. Riley will start first grade this fall. She loves playing soccer and softball, she loves Barbies and Disney Princesses, and she loves to dance and sing. She's a normal 6-year-old; she just has some colorful ear accessories. We're very grateful for Dr. Woolley, our audiologist Emily Rector and their staffs. It makes a huge difference when you know the doctors care for your child.
