Sky's the limit for Skyla

Every new parent worries about their baby hitting those all-important milestones.

And for first time parents, Holly Gravenell and Ben Maclarty, from Rainham, this fear sky-rocketed when baby Skyla failed her second newborn hearing test.

While for Skyla it was the first step towards being diagnosed as profoundly Deaf, it also led to her getting the support she needed.

Now, 14-months-old, gorgeous Sklya is enjoying hearing the sound of her own voice after being fitted with a cochlear implant.

Holly, 18, who said she found pregnancy and childbirth a breeze, remembered: “Babies often fail their first hearing test in hospital, so when it happened I was reassured by staff and booked a second test.

“When she failed that test too, I began to worry about how it would affect her. What milestones would she miss? Would she be able to speak properly? Would I hear her laugh and make baby noises?”

At just one-month old Skyla was referred to the Children’s Hearing Service in west Kent, where the family was introduced to Senior Paediatric Audiologist Donna Hansen. Skyla was also referred to an advisory teacher for hearing impairment at Medway Council.

Holly said: “The referral to the hearing service was really quick, which helped me get the advice and support I needed. We were naturally concerned how this would affect Skyla but they were able to answer my questions and really reassured us.”

Skyla had her first hearing aid fitted when she was just two-months-old.

It is recommended children with profound hearing loss are fitted with high power hearing aids. However, when the child has profound hearing loss, hearing aids may only offer limited, if any, benefit so Skyla was referred to the Cochlear Implant Team at St Thomas’ Hospital, London where her assessment for suitability began.

With Skyla’s current hearing aids, she needs new moulds regularly as she grows. Skyla and Holly attend the Sip and Sign group at All Faith’s School in Strood to have these taken. While Skyla is distracted by Holly, Donna takes an impression of Skyla’s ear.

Jane Elworthy, Advisory Teacher for Hearing Impairment, said:“Sip and Sign has been in place for 11 years. It brings together the advisory teachers, school teachers and audiologists as we work together to support the child and their families.

“The audiologists provide new moulds for hearing aids and carry out simple repairs and parents can talk about how they are coping and ask questions. By sharing their experiences, we can give helpful tips, signpost to information, share useful strategies, advice and often give much needed hope to others.

“For the children, it’s a place they know they’re similar to everyone else. It’s somewhere comfortable and a safe environment.”

The team also uses sign language for those who use it and to encourage everyone to have a go.

Jane said: “We use sign language to help children and parents build their skills but also to encourage everyone to learn it, even if it’s not used as the first language. Everyone can do it, there are some really good lessons online and even if you just learn some basic signs, it’s fun and can really help.”

Holly said: “It’s ironic that being profoundly Deaf was such good news, but it meant she could have a cochlear implant. The surgery took seven hours, which was really difficult, but it has the potential to make a huge difference to her future.”

Jane added: “After surgery, many children can react in different ways, so it’s important for parents to understand this. The child will need to learn to listen, which is very different to just hearing.”

At Sip and Sign, Holly was introduced to another young mum and her daughter Evie, a young baby who has recently had cochlear implants fitted and has already started to react to noise around her. When Skyla’s implants were switched on, there was little reaction to the noises around her.

Holly said: “If it wasn’t for Sip and Sign, I wouldn’t have met others who have been in my position. Seeing how the implants have made such a difference gives me hope.”

With some gradual changes to Skyla’s implants, Holly has already seen some changes. Holly added: “Skyla absolutely loves hearing herself and is now making very loud baby noises. It’s been incredible and watching her react to different noises is so cute.”

Holly will carry on attending the group where she can talk to people who know what she’s going through and hopes her own experience will help others.
Just like mum Holly, Skyla’s determination and strength shines through. She loves to go swimming and it won’t be long before she’s on the move. Her favourite thing is her cloudy blanket, she’s chatty and loves to get mum’s attention with a strong set of lungs.

Now 14-months-old, Skyla continues to show being Deaf and wearing hearing aids does not hold her back and her family can’t wait to hear her first words.