Happy 2nd Birthday Ava!

Happy 2nd Birthday Ava!

Ava's big family party will be on Sunday so I will post birthday photos then. In the meantime, Ava just completed her second PLS-4 testing. She is still performing above age level in both auditory comprehension and expressive communication. In fact, because of this, Ava technically would be discharged from auditory verbal therapy. However her therapist felt that because Ava is still so young she would benefit from another six months of AVT. I can't imagine Ava not having the AVT and despite how well she is doing I still don't feel ready for her to give it up yet. So I'm really glad that we are continuing with the weekly AVT sessions until January when she will graduate! (that will make 3 graduations for us - Ava's from AVT, my son's grade 8 and my daughter's grade 12). Ava also recently had soundbooth testing and is hearing at 20 db! She could detect whisper at 10db! I was so amazed and overjoyed at this because I could not detect many of the sounds in the booth (I wear hearing aids) and Ava responded really well to them. So proud of you Ava - you can hear better than mommy and you are profoundly deaf. Still can't get over how AMAZING CI's ARE. THANK YOU GOD!

Swimming with CI's!

Ava absolutley LOVES swimming in her pool. There was no way I was going to allow her to swim without being able to hear anything. I want her to participate in everything fully that a hearing child can. Especially in an activity that she enjoys so much! We did a little research and got some great ideas from other CI parents. We have her wear one processor in a special waterproof bag worn under her swim cap. The bag is from aLoksak - it is certified leakproof and airtight bag tested by the US navy. It is waterproof to a depth of 200 feet. Just follow the steps below:

1. the processor must have the rechargeable battery attached - the disposable batteries will not work because they need air to work

2. tighten the magnet on the headpiece as far as it can go - the magnet has to be strong enough to stay on the scalp while inside the bag

3. put the processor inside aLoksak waterproof bag - size 5" x 4" - we order this on-line http://www.loksak.com/ - a 3 pack costs about $7 plus shipping

4. place sealed bag on child's head with the magnet properly positioned on her head and put a headband over the head and bag to help hold it in place

5. put the swimcap on - Ava's is a lycra/spandex cap we ordered from amazon. we tried a latex/silicone cap last year and it was too hard to hold the bag in place and stretch a latex cap over top of it without knocking the magnet off. Remember, what keeps the CI dry is the aLoksak bag, not the swim cap.

Just remember to check that there is a good seal on the bag before your child jumps in. I personally checked the bags following the instructions that came with the bags before I used them. Also remember to return the magnet to its original state after swimming or your child may develop a nasty sore on her scalp!

Here's a video that I am so proud of which shows Ava HEARING and SWIMMING! (Don't worry - her dad is close by)