Evie and Lilla showed the first signs of hearing loss during their newborn hearing screenings at 36 weeks of age. They were diagnosed with bilateral moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss, and by 42 weeks, Evie and Lilla were fitted with their very first hearing aids.
By 10 months the girls joined the Chatterbox program at Telethon Speech & Hearing and began weekly playgroup and therapy sessions, meeting and making new friends.
With no history of hearing loss in the family, the world suddenly felt unknown but Telethon Speech & Hearing supported, educated and connected Evie, Lilla and their parents with other families sharing similar hearing loss experiences.
At age 3, despite hitting all their milestones, it became apparent that hearing aids may not provide adequate access to sound in a busy school environment. So, with the support of the incredible CHIP team at Perth Children’s Hospital Evie and Lilla each received a cochlear implant in their right ear.
Now aged 8, Evie and Lilla are in control of their own listening. At school, Evie and Lilla benefit from being supported by Telethon Speech & Hearing’s Outpost program. With staff integrated within their mainstream school, both girls receive weekly therapy sessions with a Speech and Occupational therapist, and a dedicated Teacher of the Deaf while learning alongside their normal hearing friends. This was an immense level of support as they transitioned into school and into a new level of hearing. To this day they look forward to their sessions and have a special bond with the people who support them.