ENT

As I have mentioned before, Olivia's special need is right micotia/aura atresia.  This basically means that in utero her right ear did not form properly and is missing the cartilage.  Her ear canal is also absent. 

Today we took Olivia to a pediatric ENT and audiologist to have her hearing assessed and come up with a game plan on how to address her hearing loss.  The doctor read her reports and reminded us that one of the reports from China showed mild hearing loss in her left, unaffected ear as well.  So, we went into the audiology appointment a little nervous.  

Girl was a ROCK STAR.  Much to the surprise of the audiologist she allowed all of the equipment to be placed in her ear and on her head without any complaint.  In fact rather than looking up at the lighted toy when she would hear a noise, she looked at the audiologist in the sound booth, smiled, waved and blew kisses in response to sounds.  She is such a ham!

The news was the best we could have expected.  Olivia hears perfectly out of her left ear.  Praise God!  She has conductive hearing loss in her right ear (this is because there is no canal) but, the organ is hearing.  Her hearing loss is considered moderate so she can in fact hear our voices they are just muffled.  The doctor and audiologist met to discuss her case while we waited in the exam room.  They are in agreement that Olivia's speech and language should not be compromised and do not want to use any type of amplification device at this time.  She does not need to be seen again for 6 months.  Praise God again!

A little snack after the hearing test.  Poor girl was woken up for the appointment which took over 2 hours.