Lainey had an appointment with her Audiologist last week, and I want to document what a typical appointment currently looks like for her (at 16 months old).
Typically, Lainey has 4-5 appointments with her Audiologist per year, but they might not be as frequent as her ear growth is starting to slow down.
Driving to her appointment, I used her “ConnectClip” for the first time. The ConnectClip is essentially a BlueTooth microphone, which connects to Lainey’s ears. We’ve been told this could be beneficial to use while we are driving, out for walks with the stroller, and at parties. In all these situations, it might be harder for Lainey to hear for a variety of reasons (facing different directions, barriers, just plain noisy!). While using it, I felt like I noticed Lainey hearing me better while driving!
While we were waiting for Lainey's appointment, Lainey noticed a bubbler, and she started to sign “water”! I have never pointed out a bubbler yet but I think she maybe saw the pictures on it? The pictures where pretty vague though; I have no idea how she knew! We made sure to check out the bubbler together. I have a feeling we will continue to find it every appointment now!
At Lainey’s appointment, we started with a hearing test in a sound proof booth. Lainey wore little earphones and her audiologist went to a nearby room with a window to perform the test. Lainey sat on my lap and listened for different sounds being played in her right or left ear. The sound is typically being presented with an animated toy moving in a box. There was also an animated toy in front of her to reset her attention after each sound.
After her test, we made impressions for new ear molds. A silicon mixture was inserted in her ear until it hardened, which created the impression for her ear mold. The impressions will get mailed off and the newly created ear molds will be sent to our house, in roughly 3-4 weeks.
Today I let Lainey choose her ear mold colors! (Not pictured are the colors Lainey got to choose from- I meant to get a photo of this but completely forgot!). She’s a touch young to choose completely on her own so I gave her some choices, and she picked purple and green (and there will also be clear). I can’t wait to see how they turn out!
When Lainey wanted to be all done with her appointment, she started waving goodbye and blowing kisses! I love her directness!
Our next appointment is in July. We will go through a similar process, as documented above.
Lainey, I love taking part in your hearing journey with you!! You are amazing, and your world is limitless!!
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