SOUNDS JUST GREAT
A FAMILY has experienced the joy of hearing after two of three siblings all suffering from hearing loss had cochlear implants switched on yesterday.
Siblings Joe, 14, Etty, 10, and James McDonough, 8, all suffer from progressive hearing loss linked to a genetic disorder, and all had surgery in March to have their first cochlear implants inserted.
After another surgery, Joe and Etty yesterday had their second cochlear implants turned on for the first time, allowing them to hear with both ears.
Etty and James said the process of getting their hearing back had been made easier by doing it together.
“The last surgery I had, Joe was with me, and he was just making it a lot more comfortable for me,” she said.
“I think it will be a lot easier at school now because I can hear my teacher and all my friends.”
Eight- year- old James said it was emotional seeing his sister cry with happiness when her second implant was switched on.
“I was really happy for her,” he said.
James only requires one cochlear implant at the moment but the possibility of needing a second in the future is high.
“I’m a bit nervous, but it’s in a few years time,” he said.
The Cairns family have travelled to Hear and Say Townsville almost 20 times in less than two years to give the three children the opportunity to hear like other kids.
Mother Kitty McDonough said she was thankful the children had the opportunity to hear again.
“You don’t even factor the inconvenience to your life because it’s all about the kids getting what they need to be able to fully function in society,” she said.
The family found out two years ago that the three children had progressive hearing loss after one of Etty’s teachers suspected she may need her hearing tested.
“It has been a bit of a whirlwind 20 months, but we’re here now and we’re nearly at the end of this part,” she said.
Father Terry McDonough said he was thankful his kids would be able to hear the outside world.
“For so long they’ve been without, and to see that today is quite emotional,” he said.
“We’re very grateful to Hear and Say ... it's very special.”
Hear and Say audiologist Liza Bowen said hearing loss was the most common disability at birth.
“The McDonough kids passed newborn screening. They ... weren’t picked up early because their hearing loss occurred gradually from early childhood,” she said.
Ms Bowen said cochlear implants would drastically improve the children’s long- term education and employment prospects, as well as improving their everyday lives and relationships.
Ms Bowen also said the moment a child heard properly for the first time was emotional for everyone.
“Switch- on days make my job, I love them,” she said.