Page 13 - Community Health magazine - issue 38

very new parent worries about their
baby hitting those all-important ‘If it wasn’t for Sip and
Emilestones.
And for first time parents, Holly Gravenell Sign, I wouldn’t have
and Ben Maclarty, from Rainham, this fear
sky-rocketed when baby Skyla failed her met others who have
second newborn hearing test.
While for Skyla it was the first step towards been in my position.’
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 another young mum and her daughter Evie,
a young baby who has recently had cochlear
after being fitted with a cochlear implant. implants fitted and has already started to
Holly, 18, who said she found pregnancy
and childbirth a breeze, remembered: react to noise around her. When Skyla’s
implants were switched on, there was little
“Babies often fail their first hearing test reaction to the noises around her.
in hospital, so when it happened I was Holly said: “If it wasn’t for Sip and Sign, I
reassured by staff and booked a second test. wouldn’t have met others who have been in
“When she failed that test too, I began to
worry about how it would affect her. What my position. Seeing how the implants have
made such a difference gives me hope.”
milestones would she miss? Would she be School in Strood to have these fitted. While With some gradual changes to Skyla’s
able to speak properly? Would I hear her Skyla is distracted by Holly, Donna takes an implants, Holly has already seen some
laugh and make baby noises?” impression of Skyla’s ear. changes. Holly added: “Skyla absolutely
At just one-month old Skyla was referred Jane Elworthy, Advisory Teacher for
to the Children’s Hearing Service in west Hearing Impairment, said:“Sip and Sign has loves hearing herself and is now making
very loud baby noises. It’s been incredible
Kent, where the family was introduced been in place for 11 years. It brings together and watching her react to different noises is
to Senior Paediatric Audiologist Donna the advisory teachers, school teachers and so cute.”
Hansen. Skyla was also referred to an audiologists as we work together to support Holly will carry on attending the group
advisory teacher for hearing impairment at the child and their families. where she can talk to people who know
Medway Council. “The audiologists provide new moulds what she’s going through and hopes her
Holly said: “The referral to the hearing for hearing aids and carry out simple repairs
service was really quick, which helped me and parents can talk about how they are own experience will help others.
Just like mum Holly, Skyla’s determination
get the advice and support I needed. coping and ask questions. By sharing their and strength shines through. She loves to
We were naturally concerned how experiences, we can give helpful tips, signpost go swimming and it won’t be long before
this would affect Skyla but they to information, share useful strategies, advice she’s on the move. Her favourite thing is her
were able to answer my questions and often give much needed hope to others. cloudy blanket, she’s chatty and loves to get
and really reassured us.” “For the children, it’s a place they know mum’s attention with a strong set of lungs.
Skyla had her first hearing they’re similar to everyone else. It’s somewhere Now 14-months-old, Skyla continues to
aid fitted when she was comfortable and a safe environment.” show being Deaf and wearing hearing aids
just two-months-old. The team also uses sign language for does not hold her back and her family can’t
It is recommended those who use it and to encourage everyone
children are fitted to have a go. wait to hear her first words.
with high power Jane said: “We use sign language to help
hearing aids. children and parents build their skills but also
However, when the to encourage everyone to learn it, even if
child has profound it’s not used as the first language. Everyone
hearing loss, hearing can do it, there are some really good lessons
aids may only offer online and even if you just learn some basic
limited, if any, benefit signs, it’s fun and can really help.”
so Skyla was referred Holly said: “It’s ironic that being
to the Cochlear Implant profoundly Deaf was such good news, but
Team at St Thomas’ it meant she could have a cochlear implant.
Hospital, London where The surgery took seven hours, which was
her assessment for really difficult, but it has the potential to
suitability began. make a huge difference to her future.”
With Skyla’s current Jane added: “After surgery, many children
hearing aids, she needs can react in different ways, so it’s important
new moulds regularly as for parents to understand this. The child
she grows. Skyla and will need to learn to listen, which is very
Holly attend the Sip and different to just hearing.”
Sign group at All Faith’s At Sip and Sign, Holly was introduced to

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