Our sons hearing loss

My son Aleczandyr has a mild hearing loss in both ears. His hearing will never get better but always has the potential to get worse. We are grateful that this was discovered early on because it gave us the opportunity to fit him with hearing aids. Having these hearing aids during the early developmental months will allow him to make those speech development milestones. It allows him to hear like other babies and he will make the same connections between sound and his brain just as if he had not had any hearing loss.
We first discovered his hearing loss at the hospital the day after he was born. They hooked up these electrodes all over his tiny little head. At this time when he failed, we thought it was due to leftover fluid in his ears from the C-section (which can sometimes happen). Our next assessment was done at home. A professional traveled to our home and hooked up those same electrodes and within 5 minutes or so he had failed again. At this point you would think I would be alarmed but I just assumed it was all a mistake because my little man could definitely hear me so it just wouldn't be possible that he could have anything wrong with him. About two weeks later He had his very first actual hearing test where they needed him to be sleeping. We were taken into a sound booth where they hooked him up to even more electrodes all over his head and we proceeded to try to get him to sleep. Eventually he passed out and they were able to get all the results they needed.

My son had hearing loss and would always need hearing assistance of some kind.
At this point we felt thrusted into this world of hearing aids, molds, therapy, and early intervention services. While I am very grateful for all the help we have received, honestly it was all a little confusing and over whelming.
We were able to get him set up with everything he needs for now, but everyday we are worried. We worry about his development, about how long his hearing aids will last (they are VERY expensive and most insurances will cover little to none of this expense) when should he get fitted for new molds(at his age they need to be replace every 6 weeks or sooner because they grow so quickly) He meets with some sort of intervention about every two weeks or so and we constantly have to monitor his development.
Even though it has been a little overwhelming so far I hold out hope things will get easier as we learn what works for him and for us. We hope and pray everyday that his hearing doesn't get worse but we feel confident that if it does, we are prepared and will do whatever is necessary for him and his over-all development.

Aleczandyr with his new Audiologist

Click Here To See Zandyrs Hearing Test


 

Hockey All-Star Mason "The Face" Ray Miller

There is a day in your child's life when they are not just little anymore. My son Mason will be 3 on the 4th of April. He is growing fast, smart, and strong everyday. As a little baby, I would take him to Hockey games. Watching the USHL(United States Hockey League), Omaha Lancers. Only at 6 months behind the glass, he watched in awe. I have never ever seen this much concentration and want to in such a young little person. He would watch the whole game, not even missing a second. We had great seats. We were located at rink level behind the goal tender where you can put your hands on the glass and root on your favorite team.
When the players would get close or checked against the glass, Mason would beat his little fists against the glass and smile with excitement. The players on the ice would notice this and it was like they swarmed to him. Giving him the occasional fist bump against the glass. It was exciting as a Dad to see him appreciate the sport and start learning a certain passion, to even this day has not expired.
His interest in the sport is stronger than ever. When I would watch Hockey on T.V., he would be right there, helping Dad root on his favorite team.
With his passion fueled now, there was only one thing left to do. I found out from a lot of players the sooner I get him started, the sooner he would prosper into a great player. So I asked him if he wanted to play and he was all over that. So for his Birthday we got him some gear. To start what I know will be a great adventure for my son. Of course he will have to start at the bottom. Learning how to skate and stick handle.
I took him to the rink the other day. To see if he would like the ice. All geared up in his helmet and pads we hit the ice. At first he didn't know what to think. His feet slipping out from under him and not being able to balance himself. So I grabbed him up and away we went around the rink. he was loving it. He started gliding half way around the rink, on both feet firmly to the ice. He was a natural and he had found his true passion. I asked him later what did you like about skating. He replied," I like falling down and sliding Dad!" LOL. Only my kid.
So Stay tuned as Mason learns the way of Jedi Hockey player. Until then love, peace, and god bless our troops over seas.

MASON "THE FACE" RAY MILLER