Hearing Update Part 2

Kieran has a unilateral (one ear) hearing loss.  It is permanent and more than likely genetic; something he was born with.  They don't do any testing if there isn't anyone in your family that comes to mind that had hearing loss.  My Grandpa did, but he also had the measles/rubella and it can rob you of your hearing.  Anyway, like we said earlier his left ear is completely normal.  His right ear has a mild loss on the 2,000 hz pitch level.  That means that if a sound is at this pitch and below 50 decibels, then Kieran can't really hear it, but only in one ear.  They said the sounds at that pitch are K and G sounds.  If you call his name towards his right ear he's going to grow up thinking his name is Eiran.  Kind of ironic....ear-in.  Get it! Wow, that was a pun Dan would have come up with right there:) There is a 95% chance that his loss is not progressive, which is great.  It won't get better, but it won't get worse either.  To make sure they will check his hearing every six months. He might struggle with mild speech problems, but he might not.  He may need to sit with his good ear towards his teacher at school, or he might struggle with background noise.  They also just told us to be prepared for hearing screenings at school.  He will fail them every time and we'll just have to provide some paperwork from his ENT dr. that we are aware and their recommendations for accommodations for him.  Either way they said he should develop normal speech and language, which is the part that makes me the happiest.  I was mostly scared of him not being able to enjoy the sound of laughter, to hear music, and for me to hear him say Mommy.  We have been given the gift of hearing and I'm so happy that he has his as well! 

That is the whole story.  He slept like a champ for us in my arms for both ears.  We had to take a break in between though because he woke up when I moved him to the other side of my lap to try for the other ear.  It was awesome getting to take the day to just snuggle him on a big comfy chair with a space heater at our feet.  It really doesn't get any better than that! Thank you for all of the prayers!

Did you see the picture above?  Kieran is now pulling his legs up underneath himself ALL the time.  He scoots and rolls all over the floor.  If he wants something or wants to be somewhere else he will find a way.  He is also enjoying sitting with support. I am SO not ready for this.  Svea wasn't doing this until 7 1/2 months!  Eeek!