So that's how they're made...

Last week we had another appointment with our Audiologist, Kerri. I have a feeling we're going to be getting pretty close with her so it's a good thing that I like her. Yesterday's appointment was to repeat the three tests that were done when we were given the diagnosis of profoundly deaf, and they confirmed the initial results. Additionally though, she conducted a test called the ASSR (Auditory steady state response ). With this test we were actually able to find that Calvin has a tiny amount of hearing in his right ear. This is great news! Any hearing at all is better than none. It isn't enough to help with speech or language, nor is it enough that he can hear us,  but it's enough to help with stimulaing his nerves in preparation for an implant.

Yesterday we were also able to make the molds for what will become the inner part of his hearing aids. I didn't know how it was done, and thought it was interesting, as well as amazing that there is technology now that can help my baby. We selected his first pair of  "ears" and they'll be here on the 19th. We're used to hearing aids as Rob wears them in both ears, but Calvins are going to have to be programmed very loud in order to help at all. I am excited and curious about them. I am sure that eventually it will become second nature to put them in, take care of them and try to keep them in a very wiggly little baby's ear.

Here are some images of the process we went through, first a little piece of foam with a string attached is inserted into his ear. He didn't like it very much, but was such a good baby about it all. Then a silicon was injected into his ear and allowed to dry. 

I'm still so impressed that he slept through it all! The final result is on the right. We will have to repeat this process every two weeks because of how rapidly he will grow and his ears will change.