Aid-less

Today, I write to share great news, great news indeed!

Elijah Ramirez can hear unaided. HE CAN HEAR!

Today, Elijah had an ABR test done to determine his hearing abilities. He was put to sleep with an oral sedation medication. Then, sound was piped into his ears and electrodes measured his brain’s response. Eli’s results were awesome! His right ear is normal and his left ear has minimal loss. I cannot describe to you our joy! Eli deserves this miracle! I’ve included Eli’s hearing on every prayer request I’ve made even though doctors and therapists told me that your hearing is as good as it gets at birth. It may get worse, but it won’t improve, they say. They are wrong.

Elijah originally failed his newborn hearing screening in the hospital the day before his discharge. He failed his first ABR a month later at the ENT’s office. He was then diagnosed with mixed (conductive and sensorineural...the only two kinds) hearing loss in both ears. We were devastated! He was fitted with a bone conduction hearing aid. He hated it. It is no more!

Even more good news on the Eli front. Yesterday, he sat, unassisted, in his bath water playing with his new bath toys for FIVE minutes. The photo with this post is of Elijah sitting on our kitchen counter (don’t worry, helpful hands were nearby although cropped from the photo).

Elijah is thriving! His surgery is less than one month away to correct one or maybe both wrists at the Shriner's Hospital in Shreveport.

Please accept my sincerest appreciation for continuing to remember sweet Eli in your prayers.

Love you all!
Melissa