Brody had his third and final "initial" mapping today. We were late (what's new), so the audiologist that assisted Dr. Scott last time couldn't do it. Brody wasn't too impressed with the one that came in the booth with us. So after a few attempts, Dr. Scott decided to stop the booth and go ahead and look at the programming. He does this by hooking each sound processor to the computer. Dr. Scott mentioned that he saw good growth again in the sound waves. This means that the auditory nerve is working like it should and the brain is getting the communication like it should. Not that any doctor or specialist has told us, but in my own opinion, I really think he is making such good gains with his hearing because he has them on (almost) all waking hours. He also wore his hearing aids whenever he was awake and not around water. We didn't see any benefit from the hearing aids, but they were keeping the nerve stimulated.
Dr. Scott felt that the last program (Program 4) from the last mapping was a good volume for Brody. He tweaked it some, but made this program the main program for him this time. So, with the four programs that are possible to be on the processor (the external part he wears on his ear), this time he has the same program in each spot. Technically it is P1, P2, P3, and P4. Adults and older kids usually have different programs in each, just like Brody did in the first two mappings. This time P1-P4 are all the same. This is pretty typical for young kids-or at least the kids I work with. We go back November 12th for our surgeon, Dr. Choo, to check the incision to make sure everything is still healing correctly. Then, we will go back November 22nd for another mapping with Dr. Scott. He mentioned that if we wanted to switch back to our Louisville audiologist, we were cleared to do so. I want to have Dr. Scott follow Brody for a little bit longer. Not that I am not comfortable with the ladies at our clinic here (I think they are great!), I just think that Brody is getting used to Dr. Scott right now and I don't want to change it up on him just yet. Plus Dr. Scott is from St. Louis and a huge ST. Louis Cardinals fan! Why would I not want him to work with Brody! (GO CARDS!)
After the programming took place, we went back into the booth. Dr. Scott pulled Joan, one of the LIstening and Spoken Language Specialists, into assist him. Brody really liked her and was showing off. They were able to get some reactions at 20 and 25 decibels. That's normal hearing folks! Pretty much that means that my baby is able to hear all speech sounds now!!! We still have to teach him to listen to them and what to do when he does hear them, but he is having access to them!!
Here is the speech banana. It is a representation of examples of things you can hear at each level. Brody was hearing at 70-equipment levels or 100+ with his hearing aids. As you can see, no speech and it had to be something extremely loud. The first mapping had him around 50-60. So getting better but still not around speech. The last map had him around 35 so most sounds. Now he is responding to sounds in the 20-25 range! So exciting! Without the processors on, he goes back to 100+. He is completely deaf without the external piece on and working. With it on, he has access to the sound.
Shelbyville has moved trick-or-treating to Friday night instead of tomorrow because of the predicted storms. Such a predicament- do I take him out because it's his first time, or do I hand out candy and look at all the creative costumes?!? I may take him down the street, then let Jordan take the cranky 16 month old around the neighborhood. Sounds good to me!
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