My name is Michele Bergeron my husbands name is Robbie Bergeron. We are the hearing parents of a two year old Deaf child named Lennon.
Lennon was given the newborn hearing screening in the hospital. When he didn’t pass it, initially the technician said it was probably fluid and that they would try again the next day. The next day he still wasn’t “passing” the test. They then told us this sometimes happens and to come back in a week for a follow up appointment. The third test he still didn’t “pass” and we were referred to an ENT to have an ABR (auditory brainstem response test).
During the 2 hr ABR test the technicians were whispering back and forth not saying much to me finally I was informed that Lennon was identified as being bilaterally profoundly Deaf.
The technician wouldn’t actually say the word Deaf. She just told me that she was sorry and that he had a significant hearing loss. I was in complete shock. I didn’t know what it meant to be deaf but the way it was being perceived to me was that there was something wrong with my baby.
I was not given any information on Lennon’s hearing level or what the best form of communication was.
We later found out that his cause of Deafness is because his cochleas never fully formed. He has enlarged vestibular aqueducts and incomplete partition type 1.
The drs told us that he was a candidate for cochlear implants. We were told that we didn’t need to learn sign language because he will hear and talk just like any other kid with typical hearing. Lennon had his CI surgery just before he was 9 months old.
We decided to get Lennon CIs because we want to give him all options available to him. My husband and I decided that even with his implants, ASL was still important to us. We want to give Lennon the opportunity to learn spoken English and ASL so that he can make the decision as to which mode of communication he prefers.
Although we continue to work with a speech therapist and offer his CIs on a daily basis. Lennon’s preferred mode of communication is ASL and he has been thriving!
My best advice for other parents with children who are identified as Deaf is # 1 there is nothing wrong with your child. The only difference between deaf people and hearing people is their hearing level. Deaf people are more than capable of living full, happy, and successful lives. #2 ASL is a deaf persons natural and native language. Even if they have amplification devices they are still Deaf. Yes Deaf children can access language and function with hearing devices but they only way for them to have full language access is with a visual language. #3 learning another language is hard but not impossible. I have been learning ASL since my son was born. I have taken classes but what has helped me the most is to be involved with the Deaf community and put myself in the middle of the boat. Not only is it helpful for me but it is helpful for my child to be surrounded by Deaf adult role models and peers who are just like him.
I am thankful that I have been connected with an early intervention program where I live. We have a Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher who comes to our house once a week. Early start has been a blessing to my family in helping to educate us and introduce us into the Deaf community. Deaf people and the Deaf community have welcomed my family and me with open arms. I feel a deep connection with the Deaf community and I feel grateful that I gave birth to a Deaf child.
