Happy 11th Hearing Birthday 🥳

 Happy 11th *hearing* birthday to Brody’s cochlear implants (yesterday)! 🥳 He was implanted when he was 15 months old. 

We are incredibly thankful every day for 11 years of hearing made possible by amazing technology. People often ask why we chose to get him implanted, and while many may question that choice, it was actually an easy decision for us as his parents. We wanted to give him *choices*—the chance to communicate through listening and spoken language. When he was younger, we also signed with him, but he quickly preferred spoken language, even telling us “no hands” or “just say it.” 

At 10, he became interested in ASL again—why? Because he’s a deaf kid and didn’t want me interpreting for him when talking to other deaf individuals. And I can totally respect that! It’s his choice and a skill he’s learning and improving on every day. Some people don’t realize, but without his cochlear implants on, Brody is profoundly deaf meaning he would (maybe) hear a jet next to him but that gets complicated with is he feeling the vibrations or hearing the sound. 

Happy birthday to Brody’s ears! 🎉