She Will Overcome

The most common effect in children who suffer from congenital CMV is damaged hearing.  Sometimes the damage is done before a baby is born, some babies pass initial hearing screens but as they get older CMV can continue to attack and damage hearing.

Evelyn had two hearing screens while in the NICU, each time she failed the test in both ears.  We were not surprised by this given our conversation w/ our doctors but it hurt nonetheless.  Since she was born K & I have both felt that she can hear our voices, she has always seemed very aware of her surroundings and she's always moving her eyes trying to find what is going on around her when she's awake.  At the same time, we are both realists and have recognized that she does not startle easily, nor does she seem to hear things she is not looking at.  I think we both understood that she was going to have some damage to her hearing, the extent is what we were unsure of.

Evelyn had a more specific and exact hearing test conducted today by an audiologist at the main campus of the Cleveland Clinic.  After about an hour of tests the doctors told us that Evelyn has profound hearing loss in both ears.  Her left ear functions slightly better than her right but the damage to both is extensive.  The docs told us she cannot hear our voices, conversations, dog barks; essentially she cannot hear all the normal things we all take for granted.  The good news is that she can hear loud noises that are very close; so we have something to work with.  Before we get into Cochlear implants and/or hearing aids Evelyn has to go back to the audiologist to confirm the results of today's tests.  That will happen in a couple weeks.  Until then we are going to see some specialists to develop an initial plan on how to attack this but we were encouraged by the doctors belief that just b/c Evelyn will likely not be able to hear on her own, it does not mean she won't hear.

And so as K & I have both stated from the beginning we are going to attack this challenge and find a way to help our daughter overcome it.  I think we are both realists about what Evelyn is facing, but we are staying positive and optimistic.  And one thing we both know for sure, Evelyn is tough and she is a fighter (just come to our house during bath time and you'll have a first hand account).  K & I continue to be inspired by our daughter and together, as a family, we will overcome this obstacle too.