Following is Li-Li’s most recent audiogram (2/11/08), showing her current hearing level with cochlear implant compared to the same test conducted without CI in August.
A few weeks ago we increased Li-Li’s speech therapy sessions to 4X a week, and Li-Li has a whole new batch of toys for this purpose! We now test the Ling 6 sounds (Dr. Daniel Ling’s test for sounds across the speech spectrum) every day:
- ghost = ooooooo
- airplane = ahhhhh
- mouse = eeee
- a sleeping baby = shhhhh
- a snake = sssssssss
- an ice cream cone = mmmmmmmmmmmm
We started by pairing the toys with specific sounds. We first encouraged her to make the sounds with us. Now, we make the sound and she selects the matching toy, or she makes the sound and we offer the toy. Li-Li recognizes every one of these sounds and is now consistently making them herself (except for oooooooo and ssssssss) when presented with the corresponding toys.
So, in addition to a large number of signs, and a small number of spoken words: Mama, Dada, Bye Bye, Meow Meow and Woof Woof, Li-Li has developed quite a repertoire of sounds, which she tends to cycle through on her own when we’re not verbally interacting directly with her. So, when we’re driving or carrying her from one place to another, we’ll often hear a little voice chirping away with sweet random sounds, narrating the trip.
3 Comments
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WOW! Li-Li is doing better then I am! That is absolutely amazing! She is well on her way :) I’m so proud of her!
I must tell you, you left one of the most inspiring and highly motivating comment that I ever received on my blog. I wanted to say thank you and it made my day! I’m seriously starting to think about writing a book and its comments like those that really jump start my creative engines.
Thank you!!
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I’m impressed by that audiogram, too. Mine isn’t that good…I’m nearly positive. It was in the 30 dB range in most frequencies except the highest at 2 weeks past activation…and I don’t think I’ve picked up much new since then, although I could be wrong! Awesome!!! She’s making such good progress!!
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You know, I wish we could assess speech comprehension the way the two of you can. We’ve got our big 6 month evaluation coming up in a month.
Abbie, just let us know when we can get in line with our 1st edition for your autograph at your first reading!