Today was Tessa's Audiology appointment. The news was bad, but our direction is hopeful.
Tessa has bilateral, severe to profound, permanent, sensorineural hearing loss.
Most sensory hearing loss is due to poor hair cell function. Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system and damage to these hair cells results in decreased hearing sensitivity - I will stop there with my very uneducated explanation of what they discovered today, as I assume those of you with further curiosity might do a little more research on your own ;)
We already have an appointment set for next Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 for Little Miss Tessa to get her brand new hearing aids - her very own beautiful and sophisticated light pink pair!!!
Tessa will have weekly appointments for new ear molds - babies ears grow so quickly that they have to be fitted for new ear molds regularly. A new pair of ear molds is $180 (that amount weekly was a little overwhelming) but we were told that they will be covered by Sooner Start (which we should learn more about in our appointment with them on Thursday at 11:00).
I have a Financial Assistance Application from Hearts for Hearing to complete and return to the office before this Thursday so that they can get the hearing aids ordered and ready for her appointment on Tuesday. We were told that insurance is a little funny when it comes to what they cover for hearing aids, so by filling out this application, Hearts for Hearing will be able to use their own fund to either pay in full, or make up the difference of what the insurance doesn't cover (we were told today that hearing aids can run anywhere from $3000 - $5000).
It was amazing today to be hit with a very real and life changing appointment...but get to walk out of there with a hopeful direction, and from what we can tell, financial provision...how many times does that happen!!!
We're not sure what will change once Tessa gets her hearing aids, but man are we hopeful for all of the possibilites! We will definitely be pursuing Auditory and Verbal Therapy and "shooting for the stars" as we like to say. It is so very important, given the amount of brain damage, that we help Tessa develop any and every part of her brain that we have the capability of helping her develop. The doctor said today that different areas of the brain have tendencies to take over other parts of the brain that aren't being used. We need Tessa to start hearing so we can do everything in our power to help her develop that part of her brain to its fullest potential.
It's like the eye doctor said, that structurally her eyes are fine, we just don't know how her brain will process the images she sees.
Well, once the hearing aids are in place, the structure of Tessa's ears will be much improved so that we can get her brain rock'n and roll'n too!
Today was difficult...a hurdle of many hurdles...but praise God for Provision and Hope!
~Whitney
The positivity that you show is just amazing. Although your lives have been challenged, you find the good in the situation and all that can come of it. God could not have given little Miss Tessa a better family. She is blessed to have you as you are to have her.
ReplyDeleteI can not wait to see her sporting her new pink "accessories"! Watched her today through the window just smiling in the bouncy seat. Awww what a gift!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an amazing example Whitney! I am praying for you and the family - for God to continue to give you peace and the strength as you go through each step. Much love is sent your way!
ReplyDeleteBrandy (SandRidge)
I have had to wear hearing aids when I was a teenager and God showed us a miracle and gave me all my hearing back awhile after. Dr's were shocked. Dr. said it was like an adult growing into a child. I know God could show yall a miracle also with Tessa. I'm praying for yall!!
ReplyDelete