Restoring Hearing, Raising Hope
Seeing the world through your eyes sometimes includes listening. Hearing plays a crucial role in how children understand and interact with their environment. At Cook Children's, we're dedicated to helping children like Pierce and Adalyn reconnect with the world around them.
Pierce's journey
Pierce's journey began at just two years old when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. His treatment plan included medication that caused hearing loss. Fortunately, Cook Children's audiologists were already part of his care team, working closely with his doctors to monitor his hearing throughout his treatment. This close collaboration allowed them to act quickly. By the end of September 2022, just weeks after his final round of chemotherapy, Pierce received his first set of hearing aids. Early intervention is essential in cases like Pierce's, ensuring that children don't miss out on vital learning during their development.
Adalyn's journey
At five months old, Adalyn contracted bacterial meningitis. After spending only 12 days in the PICU, our Audiology team began monitoring her hearing. Adalyn became one of the many children who have benefited from our cochlear implant program, which has been transforming lives for over 17 years. Through those years, we've inserted 600 implants, helping restore hearing. When Adalyn's implants were turned on, her personality blossomed, and she began babbling and smiling. Today, Adalyn continues to thrive, attending therapies and making progress each day.
By focusing on early intervention and personalized care, the Cook Children's Audiology team fulfills the hopes that children like Pierce and Adalyn can tune into the future that awaits them.