My name is Jessica Bolt. My husband, Matt, and I have been married for 5 years and currently live in a suburb of Houston. We have a 4-year-old son, Parker, and 9-month-old daughter, Annie. We also have a beloved golden retriever named Rocky. Matt works as a software engineer while I stay at home with our kids. In my previous life, I worked in early childhood education and have an academic background in developmental psychology.
Did your child pass the newborn screen? (If they did not, can you share how you were educated or prepared at the time? For instance, I was told it was fluid and not to be concerned).
Our daughter, Annie failed her first newborn hearing screening test that was administered less than 24 hours after her birth. She failed a 2nd time when she was re-screened the following day. Then, Annie failed a 3rd time when she was re-screened again as an outpatient 10 days after being discharged from the hospital. Each time she failed, we were re-assured by the screener and evenby the hospital pediatrician, we were told not to worry and that it was most likely due to fluid in the ears and common with babies born via c-section. But after she failed the 3rd time at 1.5 weeks old, we were referred to an audiologist at Texas Children's Hospital where more extensive testing could be done in two weeks. The female hospital employee, who administered all three of Annie’s newborn hearing screenings, openly admitted that she did not have a background in audiology, that she was not familiar or educated on the types of hearing loss or possible causes of congenital hearing loss, and was therefore completely unable to provide us with any additional information or answer any of our questions. My husband and I left the hospital after Annie’s third failed screening feeling scared, helpless, uneducated, and so alone.
What is your child’s hearing loss and cause if known and willing to share?
Annie has congenital sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. Annie has moderate hearing loss in her right ear and profound hearing loss in her left ear.
We have yet to determine the cause of her hearing loss but we are hoping further genetic testing can provide some insight.
What was your reaction to finding out your child had hearing loss?
Feelings of shock and denial hit first, then came the deep, soul crushing sadness. I remember crying so hard I could hardly breathe as I mourned the loss of my daughter’s hearing.
What amplification and hearing technology does your child use, if any? How/why did you decide this route?
Annie is bimodal, which means she uses two different types of hearing loss solutions, one in each ear. Her left ear has profound hearing loss and requires a cochlear implant to hear and process sound. Her right ear has moderate hearing loss, this means the loss is not severe enough to need a cochlear implant but does benefit from a hearing aid. Both the hearing aid and the cochlear implant work together to provide better hearing for Annie.
We want to give our daughter every possible tool and opportunity available so that she can hear and process sounds and communicate with others using spoken language.
What language modality do you choose for your child and how did you make that decision?
We have chosen to focus on using spoken language with Annie. We made this decision after extensively researching and analyzing current research findings on this subject, and from the discussions and guidance we received from Annie’s medical team. We also sought out the opinions of a few close friends and family members, who are all doctors and medical professionals.
Best advice for other parents of kids with hearing loss?
Seek out and connect with other parents who are on similar hearing loss journeys with their children. Join a support group dedicated to parents of children with hearing loss, whether online or in-person.
Any additional resources that have impacted your journey?
Connecting and forming friendships with other mothers who are on similar hearing loss journeys with their children has been invaluable to me!!
