Hearing Aid

Today, we went to order Aiden's hearing aid and to get more information about unilateral hearing loss. We learned many interesting things. Here is some information about why Aiden will benefit from his hearing aid:

"Children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) can be at risk for academic, speech-language, social, and emotional problems, and often require special services to address these needs. Children with UHL do not have the advantages of binaural hearing (hearing with both ears), and consequently have difficulty localizing sounds, detecting/understanding speech directed to the impaired side, and understanding speech in noisy and/or reverberant environments. " From About.com

One interesting point they made was that the left side of brain processes speech. The hearing from the right ear is also processed on the left side of the brain. Because both of these processes occur on the same side of the brain, he has an advantage. If it had been the other way around, then it would be a little more challening learning to speak. Once he gets his hearing aid, his hearing will be very close to normal. The audiologist said he should have excellent "clarity" in that ear.

His hearing aid is an excellent hearing aid. It is programmed by a computer to adjust the volume for various frequencies, as needed. He will need less amplication with the lower frequencies and more for the higher frequences.

We opted for a UK blue hearing aid and a white and blue ear mold. This will make it easier to find if it falls out (or gets pulled out... he loves touching his ears!) plus we had to do UK blue becuase many of you know how much Aiden loves the C-A-T-S! Once he gets older, if he would like, we can order him a flesh colored one with a clear ear mold. Insurance will cover a new hearing aid every three years.

We were surprised at how small the hearing aid will be. Below are a couple of pictures, so you can get an idea of size. To us the most important things are his speech development and safety, both of which will be aided with the hearing aid. We look at the hearing aid as a piece of equipment, to help him get the most of out life. To us, it's no different than a pair of glasses some people need to improve their vision.

Finally, we are working with The Lexington Hearing and Speech Center. If you would like more information about the center, you can click on this link: http://www.lhscky.org/

Aiden hates tummy time

We are trying to do more tummy time with Aiden to help with his neck muscle development but as you see below that isn't working out to well. He is now up to 15lbs 3 oz.

Hearing Test

We went for a 3rd hearing test today. He has failed the previous tests in the left ear and this time he also failed. We have a follow up appointment with the ear doctor so they can perhaps determine what is causing the hearing loss. We are also going to make an appointment with another doctor to get a hearing aid so that his speech development won't be affected.

The last month

The last month has been interesting. He has been gain weight normally and is now up to 14 lbs. He has gone through several illnesses in the last month. He first had a bronchial problem which required him to be on a neubulizer which gave him vapor meds. After that he moved onto an ear infection which he is still getting over. Laura took him to the doctor today and he now has GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). This would explain the problems we have had with feeding him. He will go on meds for that as soon as the insurance company approves it. The medication is very expensive although we would only have to still pay a $10.00 copay. Here are some pictures from Aiden's first Easter/My (Kelly's) Dad's birthday.

Aiden and Poppy Steve

Aiden, Mommy and Daddy

Aiden and Aunt Lisa

7 weeks and smiling

It has been a interesting 7 weeks and Laura and I are still learning as we go. Aiden is now in full time day care and is settling into that just fine. He has started smiling and sort of giggling and we were lucky enough to get a picture of it last night. Next post will be around Mar 4 when he is scheduled for his 2 month appointment with the doctor.

1 Month Old

Today Aiden is 1 month old. He has changed a lot over the past month but he still has his blue eyes and red hair. He is no where close to sleeping through the night but we hope that will change in the next few weeks. He is eating well and gaining weight. He is almost up to 10 lbs.

2 Weeks

Aiden has now passed his 2 week mark. He had his 2 week appointment on Monday and he is back up to 8 lbs 6 oz. We will go back in one more week to recheck his weight. They like newborns to be back at birth weight by 2 weeks and he was 6 oz shy. We took some time to take some pictures with Laura the other day and below is the result.