Louisiana Center for the Deaf

Kevin and I met with a representative from the La. Center for the Deaf. We'd done this before, after Elliot's mild hearing loss in his right ear was first diagnosed about a year ago. The conversation was different today, as was our reception.

We learned about ways to help Elliot (or anyone with unilateral hearing loss):

• eliminate background noise when possible (TV, music, white noise)


• proximity


• speak with him at his eye level


• create a language-rich environment (impossible to avoid at our house(-;)


• baby sign language

We also discussed the Bright School for the Deaf and hearing impaired, and ways that the staff there maximizes communication with those children. I'm planning on passing the suggestions on to our staff at Abeona, and scheduling a tour to see if those interventions could be integrated in a mainstream environment, or if he would benefit more from being there (or somewhere else).

We discussed different adaptive technologies, and why hearing aids aren't an option (can only amplify an additional 50 decibals). We discussed cochlear impants (which sound like a true miracle, but only for children who have bilateral deafness, and can't acquire speech with their limited hearing).

The meeting was comforting, and our contact Terri will be meeting with our speech-language therapist to coordinate an approach that best meets Elliot's needs. We are truly grateful for Early Steps, and this whole Early Intervention effort. I feel that we have seen through Elliot's progress the importance and value of acting decisively while children's brains are still "plastic," and create these pathways to success.

Ana asked me about my day over dinner, and as I took her through it chronologically, I described my meeting with "the lady who wants to help us work with Elliot's ear."

After I explained the tips given by Terri, Ana said, "Tell me more."

"More ways to help Elliot?"

"Yes. More rules to help Elliot."

I smiled. I really think God chose us for Elliot. And that includes Ana. She is a critical part of his development, as conscious as we are not to pigeonhole her in the present or future caregiver role. She can't help it, like the rest of us. She LOVES him.

Swallow study tomorrow. Say a prayer, or chant, or send a warm thought our way. Thanks.