I am writing about this more as a reminder for me and as an update on our hearing saga.
Yesterday, Hollister had his two week post op appointment with Dr. Kemper.
The moment he saw the Dr. Trevor told him Hollister can't hear. He immediately ordered a hearing test.
Hollister can't hear. It is so difficult at home for him and us. Even in the car, he asked for the radio to be turned up and it has to be at rocker decibels for him to even hear the beat. I think he thinks we can't hear either. I can't imagine what he must be feeling.
So, the doctor comes back and says they are having a hard time testing his hearing because he is "down". Thank goodness the doctor understands that this is not normal Hollister behavior. He assured the audiologist that he was not being defiant, he is honestly struggling. So, they took a different course and it worked.
The good news is, Hollister has hearing in BOTH ears. Yes, the left as well. The doctor is actually "mystified" by this. He also said this is a game changer. Where we thought we were pretty much through doing anything with the left ear, now we are not. This is really good news.
So, he proceeded to attach some odd looking headband onto Hollister. Attached was a small electronic box. Then he started talking, even whispering. Hollister could hear him!!! He even heard Hamilton at some point and jerked his head in his direction. That was such an awesome response. One we haven't seen in weeks. He asked Hollister which side he could hear from and he responded, both. Dr. Kemper told Hollister, "Your hearing will come back, its just going to take time." I am not sure he really gets that, but Dad and I do. We are so relieved.
Then the doc looked in his ear and did some doctor type stuff. He said it is still very swollen in there and he prescribed another dosage of steroids. He is trying to speed up the healing process because, remember, this is his "good ear."
The doctor has told us his goal is to restore Hollister's "good ear" (right side) to completely normal hearing. Now, this will take time and probably be until six weeks after his second surgery on that side later this fall.
As far as the left side is concerned, there are options. At this point though, we do nothing until the right side is repaired. Well, sort of. (If you aren't bored to tears, keep reading)
Back to the headband. The device is called a "Baha Implant." You can click on this link to go to the page with this info and pictures. I copy/pasted the stuff I wanted to know and remember. The red is the technical stuff.
What is a Baha?
The Baha is a surgically implantable system for treatment of hearing loss that works through direct bone conduction.
Baha is used to help people with chronic ear infections, congenital external auditory canal atresia and single sided deafness who cannot benefit from conventional hearing aids. The system is surgically implanted and allows sound to be conducted through the bone rather than via the middle ear - a process known as direct bone conduction.
How does a Baha work?
The Baha consists of three parts: a titanium implant, an external abutment, and a sound processor. The system works by enhancing natural bone transmission as a pathway for sound to travel to the inner ear, bypassing the external auditory canal and middle ear. The titanium implant is placed during a short surgical procedure and over time naturally integrates with the skull bone. For hearing, the sound processor transmits sound vibrations through the external abutment to the titanium implant. The vibrating implant sets up vibrations within the skull and inner ear that finally stimulate the nerve fibers of the inner ear, allowing hearing.
Baha for Unilateral Deafness (this is what Hollister has)
The Baha, now an FDA cleared solution for unilateral deafness, provides a completely unique benefit. The Baha device is placed on the side of the deaf ear, transfers sound through bone conduction, and stimulates the cochlea of the normal hearing ear. The Baha effectively transmits sounds from the bad side to the normal ear and ultimately results in a sensation of hearing from a deaf ear. Stereo hearing results in improved understanding of speech, especially in background noise and aids in the localization of sound.
Congenital Hearing Loss (the kind of hearing loss Hollister has due to the cholesteatoma)
Congenital conductive hearing loss caused by a malformation of the middle or external ear resulting in a missing or incomplete ear canal (external auditory canal atresia) are effectively managed with a Baha
This is a picture of the electronic device. The one Hollister tried was attached to a headband. The doctor is looking into getting him a temporary one so that he can actually hear. Not soon enough for us.
This is a picture of what a permanent one would look like.
This is what would be implanted surgically if this is the route we see fit for the left side.
For now, we will have one with the headband. He may need this when school starts as well and after his second surgery during his recovery. I am so relived by this possibility. I can't imagine him like he is now during school. These steroids make him crazy. That is my description. He is hyper and his mood is challenging for sure! I would rather him not be like that in school if possible.
So, that is what we know so far. We should have a temporary Baha by the end of the week. We will see the doctor again in two weeks and go from there.
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