Wild Pitch

Dear Carter-

Today was the first of many life-changing days. Today you had your follow-up hearing test, the ABR. You had referred/failed the more simple test (OAE) in the hospital after you were born. No one seemed alarmed at this and figured it was just fluid in your ears from being born. To be safe, the doctors recommended that we schedule a re-test. I figured it was a formality, and didn't even worry. Dad and I went to your re-test last week, and to our surprise, you failed again. We were not expecting this, and barring any additional fluid or an infection, the audiologist indicated there was a (good) chance, you had some hearing loss.

Even though we knew it wasn't the end of the world, we were devastated. I'm really not a crier, but I was a mess in that Vanderbilt parking lot and the entire ride home. It just made me so sad to think that you were going to be "different," and even sadder to think you couldn't hear my voice. Daddy was the strong one, and just kept reminding me that "God wouldn't give us anything we couldn't handle." He knew you would be okay, and immediately started researching baseball players with hearing loss. (I'm sure this isn't surprising, and yes there are several deaf baseball players.)

You were scheduled to have the more advance hearing test (ABR) performed the following week (today). The past week was awful. I read way too much on the internet, and we spent a lot of time startling you with loud noises, bangs, and claps. You responded to most, which of course gave us hope that the previous 2 tests were wrong.

After a great weekend with Grandma and Grandpa, we headed to Vanderbilt this morning. You were great during the testing, sleeping the whole time. The results revealed that you have moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. You can hear lower sounds better than higher sounds. The good news is you can hear lots of loud, fun stuff like planes, lawnmowers, helicopters, motorcycles and maybe even the piano. The bad news is you don't hear (or at least not clearly) birds singing or most of the sounds needed for regular speech development. No results revealed a profound loss; so you won't need/qualify for cochlear implants.

The greatest news of all is that you are a good candidate for hearing aids! Did you know that infants can wear aids? Modern technology is pretty amazing, and as of now, there's no reason for us to believe that with hearing aids and speech therapy you won't develop and learn at a normal rate. (Plus you'll have your big sister at home talking your ear off!)

Next week you'll get molds taken of your ears and we'll choose your hearing aids. I wonder if they come in different colors. I bet your Dad would like to order Nats colors. If all goes well, you'll be hearing the cries of your friends in the nursery at school and Mommy's regular speaking voice in a couple weeks.

I made a joke to your Dad that I see "southern-shaggy hair" in your future to cover up your aids. Plus, girls love shaggy hair, at least I did when I was younger.

Let's just hope you don't add a beard and decide to go the hipster route. Oh dear...

I just want to let you know that Mom and Dad love you, and we are going to do whatever it takes to keep you happy, healthy, and hearing.

Like I said before, today was the first of many life-changing days. Stay tuned for the next one...

Love,

Momma