ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Cochlear Implant

Just a day after his birth, Nakoa’s family received the unexpected news that he had failed his newborn hearing screening. This was only the beginning of a challenging yet transformative journey. Two weeks later, the family returned to their local hospital for a second screening. The results were the same: Nakoa failed. The hospital referred them to another pediatric hospital for more comprehensive testing. Nakoa failed every test, and the diagnosis of profound deafness was becoming increasingly clear. The family was devastated but determined to seek a second opinion. So, they were referred to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, a renowned pediatric healthcare facility, for the following week. Still, Nakoa failed every test, and the diagnosis was confirmed. For his mother, the diagnosis of profound deafness held a heavy impact. “I mourned the thought of him being deaf and having to endure being different,” she shares. The fear of Nakoa facing […]

At a New Year’s Eve party, Nicolas’s parents noticed something was off when he didn’t react to the loud fireworks. This moment was a turning point, leading to a diagnosis that would change their lives. This incident prompted Nicolas’s family to seek further medical attention for their son. As they delved deeper into Nicolas’s symptoms, it became clear that something more significant was at play. The diagnosis, which came when Nicolas was just two years old, revealed a complex set of challenges: deafness in both ears, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), autism, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, and global developmental delay. Each of these conditions brought its own set of hurdles, but the impact on communication was particularly clear. The symptoms of congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can vary. Most babies infected before birth show no symptoms after delivery, but they are at risk for hearing, vision, neurological, and developmental problems. Even babies without clear […]

Throughout 8-year-old, Moksh’s life, his mother, Rina and her family, noticed something was different. “He wasn’t able to give a response when we called to him or clapped,” Rina recalls. Concerned, they sought answers from numerous doctors, and one thing became clear—Moksh needed cochlear implants. After a year of searching for answers to help with his hearing loss, Moksh underwent the life-changing surgery that would set him on a new path. Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, became a critical part of that journey. After researching their options online and receiving recommendations from other doctors, Rina and her family turned to Nemours for their son’s care. What they found exceeded their expectations. “They are so intelligent,” says Rina about the audiology team. “They did a really good job with surgery and had accurate results. Everyone, from the nurses to the surgeons, were helpful and kind.” Moksh was born with profound sensorineural hearing […]

Born in November 2013, Savannah passed her initial hearing screening at birth, leaving her parents unaware of any hearing issues. It wasn’t until a playful moment during a game of telephone at age 6 that they discovered Savannah’s hearing impairment. Her father, Gabe, recalls the moment: “I whispered something into her left ear, and she said, ‘Oh no, Daddy, you have to whisper in my other ear. That ear doesn’t work.’” This revelation was the start of Savannah’s hearing journey. This casual game confirmed their initial suspicions. Gabe shares, “When she told us she couldn’t hear out of that ear, it made sense. She was always a loud talker, and her speech curled towards the ear that worked.” The family sought help from hearing specialists, but the initial results were disheartening. “We tried a hearing aid, but it only boosted her hearing from 4% to 12%. It just wasn’t enough,” […]

Dillan’s hearing loss was discovered during a routine hearing scan, revealing that she was deaf in her left ear. While Dillan’s family had noticed some challenges with communicating before seeking treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, they were shocked to learn this news. Her family was very eager to find answers and solutions. Having been involved with the groundbreaking of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida 10 years ago, Dillan’s family was drawn to the comprehensive care provided under one roof. “Nemours provided seamless care. I love being able to communicate with her doctors in real time,” says Dillan’s mom. With the help of Dr. Morgan Wilcox, Dillan now has a hearing aid for her left ear, making an incredible difference in her hearing. “From the first day I met her, Dillan is always smiling and just has this contagious, feel-good attitude that you can’t help but smile and laugh along with […]

Nemours Children’s Health came into Brandiel’s life when he was having difficulty hearing. Recommended by his school, the hospital has played a pivotal role in their journey. Yaleitza, his mother, remembers the initial challenges they faced with Brandiel growing up. “It was hard,” she says, “He couldn’t hear. We would have to repeat ourselves multiple times. It was just so hard for him.” “I remember when I first found out about his hearing loss diagnosis, it was very difficult for us,” says Yaleitza. Brandiel was diagnosed as deaf in one of his ears. “But Dr. Pritchett made me feel so comfortable with everything.” After some time working with Dr. Pritchett and the team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Brandiel was approved for a cochlear implant. Yaleitza, though a bit nervous at first, was excited for this opportunity. Brandiel underwent a cochlear implant procedure when he was 9 years old. Yaleitza […]