On [name]November[/name] 12, [name]Rose[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] came into this world 8 weeks early. She weighed 3.1 pounds, and has severe hearing loss from arriving prematurely. For now, [name]Rose[/name] is in the NICU. Please keep her in your prayers!
We were considering naming our daughter [name]Phoebe[/name] [name]Corinne[/name], but decided that a delicate, simple, and sweet name would fit our baby perfectly. My husband and I are so blessed to have [name]Rose[/name], and we are looking forward to the day that we can bring her home. There will be challenges ahead for our family, but with perseverance and some good old fashioned gumption, we’ll make it through.
Our two year old daughter, [name]Maya[/name] [name]Colleen[/name], is thrilled to have a new sister. When she found out that [name]Rose[/name] would not be able to hear, she said, “Mommy, [name]Rose[/name] will know that we love her even if she can’t hear us say it.” That melted my heart.
For now, we are taking one day at a time, learning sign language, and doing some research on cochlear implants. If anyone has any experience with hearing-impaired kids, please share your wisdom with me! It would be most appreciated.
[name]Caroline[/name], [name]Max[/name], [name]Maya[/name], and [name]Rose[/name]
Congrats to you and your family on the safe arrival of [name]Rose[/name] [name]Catherine[/name]! A lovely combo! I will keep [name]Rose[/name] in my prayers. [name]Hope[/name] you will have your sweet [name]Rose[/name] home with you soon.
Google Switched at Birth. It is a show about two girls ([name]Bay[/name] and [name]Daphne[/name]) who were switched at birth. [name]Daphne[/name] is hearing impaired but lives a normal life. It may teach you some sign language.
I have been hearing impaired since childhood. It isn’t without difficulties but you should know going in that it in no way means that your daughter can’t live a full, joyful life.
I would recommend that as soon as your daughter is ok’d to, go and see an audiologist. They can determine how severe her impairment is.
When learning to sign, be sure to pick up ALS not English signs, the majority of hearing impaired won’t be using English signs anymore.
For your older daughter I recommend : http://www.signingtime.com/. You should be able to borrow the dvd’s from your local library. While there you should look into programs that might be available for deaf/ hearing impaired children and their families.
I would also suggest that you look at your state’s website and check out the available resources for deaf children. It may seem a long ways off but she may need to have help in school and you can start looking at educational options now. Finally I would recommend that you look into insurance options for children with special needs, probably through dhhs. [name]Hope[/name] that helps. I know that dealing with hearing impairment can be very difficult and stressful. Good luck and congratulations.
[name]Rose[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] is one of the most beautiful names I’ve ever heard. Congratulations on your sweet new baby! My oldest son (6) is not hearing impaired, but due to other neurological issues, he is unable to speak. It has brought many challenges but deepened my life in a way I didn’t know possible. He is a blessing to us and to his siblings. I will keep you in my prayers and many congratulations to your family!
[name]Rose[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] is beautiful, and [name]Maya[/name] and [name]Rose[/name] are so sweet together. I wish I had some advice to offer regarding deafness/hearing problems, but I wish you all the best and little [name]Rose[/name] (and you all!) will be in my prayers.
What a beautiful name you have given your daughter! [name]Rose[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] is beyond precious. I love [name]Maya[/name]'s quote - she is so right!
I have experience with hearing impairment in children, if you want to PM me!
I almost cried when I read what [name]Maya[/name] said. That’s true. I will keep baby [name]Rose[/name] in my prayers. You’ve chosen a lovely name for Miss [name]Rose[/name]. Congratulations.
Warmest congratulations to you on the birth of your beautifully and classically named daughter [name]Rose[/name] [name]Catherine[/name]. (Isn’t her big sister the sweetest thing? As they say “out of the mouths of babes” you will find wisdom.
I will keep her in my prayers and I am sure that the nearest centre for Deaf and Blind children would have loads of information and support for you and your husband.
Of course you need to go through all the hoops in regard to doctor’s advice on getting an implant but it would seem to me that would be the path to take. Best wishes.
Congratulations on the birth of [name]Rose[/name] [name]Catherine[/name]. You picked a gorgeous name for her. [name]Rose[/name] and your family will be in my prayers as you embark on helping her compensate for her hearing loss. [name]Maya[/name]'s comment is absolutely beautiful and heartwarming!!
This past year, I met one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. I made an appointment to see a dermatologist who I’d never met before and was blown away to find out that she is completely deaf. This beautiful lady is an expert at reading lips, and I was able to understand everything she said. I learned that she worked as an M.D. for years before specializing in dermatology. She obviously did not let her disability hold her back. What she accomplished in spite of the hurdles leaves me absolutely speechless with admiration.
[name]Little[/name] [name]Rose[/name] is blessed to have such a loving family!! Blessings and best wishes to you all!!
Congratulations! My son was a preemie as well, born at 26 weeks, and while raising a child with a special need of one sort or another is challenging, it also comes with the most amazing rewards! My advice to you is to take things one day at a time…the NICU can be an intimidating and overwhelming place, especially if you end up having a long stay. Make friends with the nurses, they make all the difference sometimes. Be vigilant, ask questions about EVERYTHING, in my experience it was always better to be overprepared for whatever outcomes were possible. Enjoy [name]Rose[/name]: read to her, sing, talk to her about everything waiting for her at home, your pets, etc. I see that you live not far from where we are (the Cape), and, if so, [name]Maya[/name] may not be allowed in to see her soon because of flu season. We had family photos and drawings hung up everywhere in [name]Kaleb[/name]'s space, maybe [name]Maya[/name] has drawn some pictures for [name]Rose[/name]?
You may have already figured some or all of this stuff out, but for me, everything changed once I resigned myself to the fact that we would be in the NICU for awhile and I had better make us comfortable there. We had an amazing experience, and I wish the same for you, except I hope that your visit there is far shorter than ours! Congratulations on your girls and good luck with the roller-coaster ride ahead!
Such a lovely name. My friend has three children, a 6 year old boy, a two year old daughter, and a three month old daughter, and they were all born deaf. Neither of the parents are deaf, but they carry the deaf gene. Their son and daughter both have cochlear implants and attend a School for the Deaf, in which all the students have cochlear and the teachers are specialized to teach to students with implant. The boy got the implant when he was 1.5, and the daughter got the implant when she was 7 months. They both speak English as if they were not deaf. The baby has a conventional hearing aid (although it is hot pink and sparkly ). Obviously, she cannot talk, but she can hear most sounds and recognizes her parents’ and siblings’ voices. It does not completely restore her hearing, however, and she will receive cochlear when she is 6 months old. The hearing aids only allow her to hear basic sounds, but it is fine until she receives the cochlear. After cochlear, they had a therapist who gradually added volume to the implant and introduced sounds, until they were old enough to hear at a normal level. My friend explained the procedure to me. A small square of hair was shaved off and cleaned, and an incision was made. The doctor screws a piece into the bone and the incision is closed. The children also have wireless microphones that sunday school teachers/doctors can wear so she hears them more clearly. Her children are very blessed to receive the surgeries, just as your family is so very blessed to be able to receive such a beautiful, healthy child. Deafness can be a difficult struggle, but you are very blessed that that will be your daughter’s only obstacle and she will still be able to live out a full and happy life.
much love
[name]Ivy[/name]
Mommy to [name]Evie[/name] [name]Anne[/name] and baby girl to come
just to clarify, the wireless microphones to be worn by the teachers/doctors are so the child can hear the person speaking through their implant more clearly
Congratulations. [name]Rose[/name] [name]Catherine[/name] is a beautiful and sweet name. I will keep little [name]Rose[/name] in my prayers. Good luck.
What a beautiful name!! I am so happy to hear you all are learning ASL for her. I have taken it in college and love it. [name]Rose[/name] is lucky to have your support. Thank you for sharing such a touching story!!
Congratulations on your new little one. [name]Love[/name] seeing [name]Rose[/name] in the first name spot, rather than the middle.
Also, your home seems so full of love. [name]Maya[/name] is the sweetest thing, it touched my heart so hard. Congratulations on two amazing little girls.
). Obviously, she cannot talk, but she can hear most sounds and recognizes her parents’ and siblings’ voices. It does not completely restore her hearing, however, and she will receive cochlear when she is 6 months old. The hearing aids only allow her to hear basic sounds, but it is fine until she receives the cochlear. After cochlear, they had a therapist who gradually added volume to the implant and introduced sounds, until they were old enough to hear at a normal level. My friend explained the procedure to me. A small square of hair was shaved off and cleaned, and an incision was made. The doctor screws a piece into the bone and the incision is closed. The children also have wireless microphones that sunday school teachers/doctors can wear so she hears them more clearly. Her children are very blessed to receive the surgeries, just as your family is so very blessed to be able to receive such a beautiful, healthy child. Deafness can be a difficult struggle, but you are very blessed that that will be your daughter’s only obstacle and she will still be able to live out a full and happy life.