I think I understand the purpose of the hearing aid!!

I forgot to post this in my last update... For starters let me say that we've known since Briggs diagnosis that cochlear implants is the only way he'll be able to hear well enough to distinguish sounds and learn to speak. Because of what I just said the whole hearing aid thing and why are we trying it has been foggy for Nick and I but I think we finally "get it" so I wanted to update. After last weeks appointments I've realized that the audiologist we've been assigned has a much more laid back approach than everyone else we've met with. She always said, don't let the hearing aid become a negative experience. Only have him wear it a couple hours a day to see if you notice him responding to sounds. Don't have him wear it out of the house or around loud noises. Even last week she said, if he goes a week without wearing it it's not a big deal. After meeting with the LPS team and last week the implant team he's been wearing it pretty much all day regardless of where we are except when he sleeps. Basically the purpose of the hearing aid is to keep any pathways that might be there open so that the auditory nerve is stimulated and the brain is responding to a noise. Loud noises are very muffled and distorted but basically we're just trying to keep that nerve stiumated and the brain hearing some noise. So keeping it in all the time means a better chance of him hearing and responding to a noise. A few days ago Briggs was in his swing and he fell asleep but we left the hearing aid in. I was cooking and the smoke alarm went off. I immediately ran into the living room and Briggs eyes were opened so big and he was looking all around. I'm pretty sure he heard something which was very exciting for us! Until next time... :-)