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Miracle Ear helps De Soto child

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Millions of children suffer from some level of hearing loss. Of the more than 28 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss, close to seven million are under the age of 18. At first the signs of hearing loss may be subtle and go unnoticed by parents, and are not recognized until the child begins to lag behind other children his or her age. Chelsea Johnson was a lucky child to have parents that recognized her hearing loss at a very early age.

Chelsea Lynn Johnson of De Soto is now one of many children to benefit from the hearing aids provided by the Miracle Ear Children’s Foundation. Chelsea has struggled with hearing loss her entire life, as she was diagnosed at the young age of 4 months. Since then, Chelsea has been using hearing aids and participating in deaf education classes. Despite these efforts, Chelsea’s mother Barbara still speaks of the frustration that Chelsea experiences, and her lack of understanding of certain conversations and situations.

Chelsea’s family has a positive attitude about her hearing loss and are excited for her to receive a new hearing aid from the Miracle Ear Children’s Foundation. Her mother spoke of one of the first times that the family experienced joy in relation to Chelsea’s hearing loss, which occurred when Chelsea was 12 months old and quit taking her hearing aids out. The hope is that this new hearing aid will bring even more joy. Her mother, Barbara, said, “I believe Chelsea will be less frustrated and will be able to join in on family conversations more easily, making her a happier young lady.”

The Miracle Ear Children’s Foundation, a non-for-profit organization, works in cooperation with local Miracle Ear Centers nationwide to provide free hearing aids and services to children under age 16 whose families to not qualify for public assistance, yet cannot afford the expense of hearing aids. The local Miracle Ear Centers of Cape Girardeau, Farmington and Perryville all support the Children’s Foundation by providing hearing aids to local children. For more information about the Miracle Ear Children’s Foundation, please call 1-800-234-5422.