When Valentina didn’t pass her newborn hearing test, further tests during surgery revealed the 4-week-old baby girl had severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.
When Valentina didn’t pass her newborn hearing test, further tests during surgery revealed the 4-week-old baby girl had severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.
Valentina’s mum and dad had so many questions—what would their child’s life be like and how would their baby communicate?
At the time, mum Kiara says, they were given no answers, and left in the dark.
‘In the beginning it was overwhelming as Valentina still had a number of medical issues which we were working through,’ Kiara says.
Searching for answers, it wasn’t until after months of investigations they discovered that Valentina was eligible for cochlear implants, early intervention, and could receive the support they needed, through NextSense.
‘Now my heart explodes with joy when I see Valentina turn and respond to soft sounds that I never thought she would be able to hear,’ Kiara says.
NextSense ear nose and throat surgeon, Clinical Professor Cathy Birman OAM, performed the cochlear implant surgery and the family chose NextSense as their early intervention provider.
‘Once we did that, the process was smooth. A NextSense social worker came to our house, making it so much easier than having to travel and take Valentina. It was good to have someone to explain everything simply, and to answer all our questions,’ Kiara says.
‘NextSense has helped me and my family understand that there is so much opportunity and potential for Valentina to help her access sound and communicate. Without early intervention support, I literally wouldn’t even know what to do.’
When Valentina didn’t pass her newborn hearing test, further tests during surgery revealed the 4-week-old baby girl had severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.
Valentina’s mum and dad had so many questions—what would their child’s life be like and how would their baby communicate?
At the time, mum Kiara says, they were given no answers, and left in the dark.
‘In the beginning it was overwhelming as Valentina still had a number of medical issues which we were working through,’ Kiara says.
Searching for answers, it wasn’t until after months of investigations they discovered that Valentina was eligible for cochlear implants, early intervention, and could receive the support they needed, through NextSense.
‘Now my heart explodes with joy when I see Valentina turn and respond to soft sounds that I never thought she would be able to hear,’ Kiara says.
NextSense ear nose and throat surgeon, Clinical Professor Cathy Birman OAM, performed the cochlear implant surgery and the family chose NextSense as their early intervention provider.
‘Once we did that, the process was smooth. A NextSense social worker came to our house, making it so much easier than having to travel and take Valentina. It was good to have someone to explain everything simply, and to answer all our questions,’ Kiara says.
‘NextSense has helped me and my family understand that there is so much opportunity and potential for Valentina to help her access sound and communicate. Without early intervention support, I literally wouldn’t even know what to do.’
