Saturday was the big conference put on by the Utah Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association. Those conferences always boost you up and teach you new ways to help your deaf children. This years conference was great. (Chance's Dad did a great job helping to put this conference together). It is always good to learn from professionals like Audiologists, doctors, educators, and other parents of deaf children. It really is a team of people that help these kids succeed. I am always impresseded with the dedication that people who work with deaf children have. Some of the go into the field because they have a deaf relative, or grew up around deaf people. But others just seem to be drawn to helping deaf children. whatever their motivation, we sure are grateful for them.
Having a deaf child is a continual learning process that stretches you and gives you insights that you would not get otherwise.
Chance's teacher at school is noticing a difference in Chance since he got the second implant. We are noticing things too, but when you are a parent and so close to the situation, you wonder if the differences you are seeing would be noticed by other people.
Chance localizes sound better. With one implant he would sometimes look up, down, and around before realizing where your voice was coming from. With the second implant, he tunes in to where the sound is coming from faster.
Chance also hears better in the van. This has always been a challenge, as Chance would want me to turn around and look at him when he did not hear me or understand what I said. Now, I find that Chance is catching things that I am saying while we drive. He will pick up pieces of the conversation even when the conversation is not happening with him. While he is still missing some (and maybe always will in the van), he is catching on to more than he ever has before.
His teacher has noticed that Chance is more focused when the class is sitting together during circle time.
We are noticing things even though having two implants is so new. It is exciting to watch and be a part of.
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