Young Patients with Hearing Loss Are All-Stars On and Off the Field

May 27, 2022

Young Patients with Hearing Loss
Are All-Stars On and Off the Field
Hank Aaron once said, “You may not think you’re going to make it. You may want to
quit. But if you keep your eye on the ball, you can accomplish anything.”

This inspirational quote is obviously about baseball, but it can apply to so many
different aspects of life. On Saturday, exceptional children from the University of
Miami Health System Children’s Hearing Program (CHP) proved just that when they
were the guests of honor at the Miami Marlins baseball game against the Atlanta
Braves.

UHealth’s CHP, which is focused on meeting the specific needs of children with
hearing loss, ages birth to 18, partnered with the upcoming feature film Rally Caps
for this special event to help raise awareness for hearing loss. “It is the first time
that the Marlins have selected hearing loss as part of their Impact Week—Baseball
for All initiative,” said Chrisanda Sanchez, Au.D., FAAA, the interim director of the
UHealth Children's Hearing Program.

Joining the big leagues
The first special guest at the game was 15-year-old Kylie, who threw the ceremonial
first pitch.

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May 27, 2022

She is now part of an exclusive club of famous people, including most U.S.
Presidents since William Howard Taft, SimoneBiles, and even Bill Nye the Science
Guy. Thankfully, Kylie is already a pitcher on her softball team, so she’s had plenty
of practice.

According to her mom, Danielle Guthrie, Kylie lost her hearing suddenly in the 5th
grade. At first, they had trouble getting a diagnosis. Ms. Guthrie insisted on a
second opinion and was referred to the UHealth Children’s Hearing Program. The
experts at CHP confirmed that Kylie was deaf, and it was a race against time to get
cochlear implants to ensure the best possible hearing and speech outcomes. As with
most children who receive timely hearing intervention, there is a high potential to
achieve normal speech and language development.

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May 27, 2022

Today, Kylie is a typical shy teenager who is very intelligent, and, according to her
mom, sometimes too smart for her own good. “When people see her now, she talks
normally,” says Ms. Guthrie, who is very grateful for the specialists at CHP. “I can't
thank them enough for what they did for me and what they did for Kylie."

The seventh-inning stretch
Kylie wasn’t the only star of the night.

Later in the game, several children from the UHealth CHP showed off their singing
skills. Before the game, 8-year-old Mason said he was excited about the Marlins
game because his mom told him that he’d be able to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball
Game” on the field during the 7th inning stretch.

Mason attended the Debbie School for much of his early childhood, said his mom,
Angie Martinez. Located on the University of Miami medical campus, the school is
an auditory oral educational program for children with hearing loss.

Born prematurely at 33 weeks, Mason did not pass his newborn hearing screening.
According to Ms. Martinez, the experts at the UHealth Children’s Hearing Program
diagnosed Mason with bilateral

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auditory neuropathy. Following his diagnosis, Mason received a cochlear implant
and a hearing aid, and was referred to the Debbie School.

“I feel like they really helped me,” said Mason. “They

helped me with hearing and to be able to fully hear words and sounds and also say
sentences.”

Mason’s mom agrees. “I believe that Mason was able to really tune into listening and
talking there at the Debbie School, which was kind of my goal for him with his
hearing devices,” she says. “Now Mason is in the second grade and is in the gifted
program at his school.”

Rooting for the home team
Another member of the chorus, David, 8, said he was "so happy to go to the game
and sing" with his schoolmates from the Debbie School. An active and curious boy,
David likes math and music.

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Milagros McNally, David's mother, explained that her son received bilateral cochlear
implants at eight months old, so he hears and understands practically everything.
She recounted that her baby failed the routine hearing test two days after birth.
After taking him to various doctors and hospitals, David's parents were eventually
connected to the UHealth CHP.

Mrs. McNally is delighted with the UHealth CHP and appreciates the professionals
who have cared for her son.

"All the doctors, therapists, and people who work on the project, who help the
children adapt to their implants and to this process, have taken us by the hand," she
said. "They assured us that everything was going to be fine, that I would not regret
the decision for David to have his surgery. And so it has been. Truly, any needs
we’ve had, whether psychological, for support, with more therapies, with referrals to
other doctors, they are really there, always ready to help and provide answers."

Children’s Hearing Program is a home run
for patients
According to Ivette Cejas, Ph.D., Director of Family Support Services at the CHP,
these children highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of their patients.
“Children with hearing loss can do whatever they put their mind to, just like every
other kid,” said Dr. Cejas.

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BothDr.SanchezandDr.Cejassaythateventslikethe
Miami Marlins Impact Week
are essential to raise
awareness and reduce the
stigma associated with
pediatric hearing loss and
hearing technology. The
Saturday event also
provided           hearing
screenings and educational
opportunities to learn about pediatric and noise-induced hearing loss and hearing
technology.

Early hearing detection and intervention are among CHP’s primary goals. Since the
period for language learning is from birth to age three, early diagnosis of hearing
loss is essential.

Being in the stands gave our patients and families the opportunity to educate the
South Florida community on hearing loss, said Dr. Cejas.

“Encouraging the public to participate in our pregame events and to witness our
patients throwing the first pitch and singing the 7th-inning stretch positively
showcases that our kids can do anything,” said Dr. Sanchez.

Written by UHealth contributors Natasha Bright, Dana Kantrowitz, and Cory
Zacharia.

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Content Type article

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