Technology at it's best- Cochlear Implants

First surgery- right ear- February 2008

Second surgery- left ear- November 2010

After listening to the final discussions last night about the ever changing technology, I thought after my comment about how many people I may have confused. I heard your comments about new operating systems, different technologies and such and I spoke about the wonderful technological invention called a Cochlear Implant or CI for short. My two older children were born with a profound hearing loss. My daughter failed her newborn hearing screening and my husband and I took her to get re-tested at CHOP. We were shocked and devastated to find out about her hearing loss. No one in either family for as far back as we could find had a hearing impairment. After going through genetic testing, we discovered that my husband carried a gene mutation as did I, and we both passed recessive genes to end up with a hearing impaired child. Connexin 26 is the cause of the hearing loss. My son came along 18 months later and was also found to have the genetic mutation. We found out that my husband and I had a 1 in 300,000 chance of meeting each other and having two deaf children.... I should have played the lottery!!

Anyway, hearing aids were tried with both children and didn't work. We opted for the Cochlear Implant. After going through a candidacy program with CHOP we got the call that both kids were eligible for CI's. As I said last night, their first implant (right ear) was the Freedom by Cochlear, which they both thrived with. Just shortly after they were implanted, the Nucleus 5 came on the market and when my children were implated the second time (left ear) they received the Nucleus 5 which offers better sound quality and it's smaller.

Both children are doing so well. It's amazing how far we have come from earlier hearing aids and CI's to what we have now. My children are actually hearing at an almost normal hearing range, something my husband and I never thought would happen. Cochlear is constantly looking for ways to improve the device, and possibly someday a device will be invented that is completely internal. We were told by the team at CHOP that deafness will become obsolete with all of the technologies offered.

Below is a video of a child having her cochlear implant turned on for the first time. Watch her reaction. To have lived something similar to this with my own two children is amazing. Their activation was exactly like below. TECHNOLOGY AT IT'S BEST!

A night out at the ETTC

First and foremost, I'd like to give kudos to Michelle on her presentation of the SMART board. I am a big fan of the SMARTboard. I love mine in my classroom and our new school is lucky enough to have a SMARTboard in EVERY SINGLE classroom. I've used the SMARTboard for about 8 years now and watching it evolve has been pretty cool, because like all technology, 8 years is a lifetime....

As for the class last night, it was great to get to put faces with names.. with the exception of Julia because I already knew her, LOL. I enjoyed my night out, even if it was in class and not out shopping. Paula's presentation on customized Google searches was excellent. I have used customized Google searches for some of my projects in school, I also put one in my Webquest that I turned into Amy. It's so much easier to create your own Google search when working with middle school children because they do seem to find the darnedest websites when searching... :(

I'm glad I got my tool time presentation done, one more thing off the check sheet. Now I just need to record my jing describing what I described in class and submit. If anyone needs any specific questions answered about MovieMaker, just let me know. I can answer questions through the tool time discussion on BB.

As for the face to face meetings, I think the next time I'll see all of you is for the last class, and YES if my house is done, I'll be happy to host! :)

Back in the saddle again :)

I've got to say that I am relieved to have finished and presented our IT project. I'm looking foward to seeing the products of the rest of our classmates. I had two great partners, Kathy and Julia. I actually spent a majority of my day yesterday getting caught up on other work. I can say proudly that I've sumbitted three of my wildcards already and feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest. I hate owing work almost as much as I hate owing money! I can't believe that we are already at the middle of October and the sememster will be over before we know it.

As for our trip to the ETTC this coming Wednesday, I am welcoming a night out, even if it is only too class. I've been stuck in the house for the past month and a half and only made trips to doctors and the hospital, yay me :P

Looking foward to the rest of the semester.

Everyone is home.... now trying to get caught up!!

Giovanna FINALLY came home on Thursday afternoon so now we are all trying to get into a routine. I will be spending most of my time Tuesday between feedings trying to get caught up with all of my school work. It was a rough week running back and forth between the hospital and home. I'm glad to have all my kids under the same roof! We had our first doctors visit on Friday and she has already gained weight and grown an inch. She will be out of newborn clothes by the end of the week. Our late night feedings are not that bad, every four hours :). She likes to let mommy sleep a bit. Big sister, Maria is a big help. She loves to help by getting bibs, holding the bottle (with mommy's help of course) and holding her little sister's hand. Francesco, her big brother, loves her. He will just stare at her and smile and try to give her kisses! Maria already gave Giovanna her "name sign" a G over your heart. When I asked Maria why that is Giovanna's name sign she said, "Because I love Giovanna." Melts your heart! Looking forward to returning Wednesday to class! Thank you for all your support and talk with everyone soon!
Love, Angela

She's here!

Hi all,
Just an update.....
Giovanna Michelina Maione made her appearance on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 10:55pm weighing in at 6 lbs 14 oz and 181/2 inches long. Hopefully we will be able to bring her home soon. She needs to improve her eating a bit which is a FAR CRY from my other two kids that ate me out of house and home :)......