Help me hear well….10 yrs old girl in need of cochlear Implant

Diagnosed at the age of 4 with bilateral profound severe sensor-neural hearing loss after a removal of adenoid, tonsils and insertion of grommet; a tube surgically implemented in the ear drum to drain fluid from the middle ear it has been a 6 year long journey for Elianah and her family. Despite acquiring hearing aids, her hearing has not improved but regressed.

Elianah has been wearing hearing aids since September 2014. Her hearing has gradually deteriorated since then. This made learning challenging for her and she moved at a slower pace compared to the other children in her class. With the dedication of the parents, family, and teachers, she has almost age appropriate speech, language and reading skills. However, Dr. Seema Shah, Audiological Scientist and Hearing Aid Consultant, confirms that they are reaching a limit with the hearing aids and FM system and recommends that the parents look towards cochlear implants as a way forward.

The cochlear implants cost $62,000 for both ears. The implants will help Elianah to hear normally again and improve her learning and social skills in school and at home. The doctors who will attend to her are based in India.

Elianah is a very talented girl; she loves reading, fashion, design and gymnastics. She believes she can achieve anything if she sets her mind to it and works hard. She still makes friends and tries her best to communicate by lip reading. She is extraordinary and the cochlear implants will make her potential limitless.