Can You Hear Me Now?

We have been on a long journey trying to provide Ryland what she needs to have the best quality of life. As some of you know, Ryland began losing her hearing around age 2. After more testing and evaluations she qualified for a hearing aide by 5. Insurance has refused to help pay for anything. As a single mom at the time, coming up with $2500 for just the aid was tough but my girl deserved every bit. Last January we went to our normal audiology appointment and discovered that she had lost ALL hearing in her right ear…to say the mom guilt and all the horrible what ifs flooded my mind and heart. We then began another long journey of specialist visits, MRIs, Oncologist, optometrist , and genetics testing. We finally discovered what was causing her hearing loss.

There is an enlarged right vestibular aqueduct/endolymphatic sac measuring 2 mm in thickness at the ostium. There is normal appearance of the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals. Right cochlear nerve is present but decreased in size, approximately similar size to the facial nerve. The left cochlear nerve is normal in appearance. Bilateral facial nerves are normal in appearance.

Armed with answers we were presented to the board of Texas Children’s and approved for a Cochlear Implant!!!!! I sobbed!

We set up the surgery, went through pre op requirements, and planned out the mapping appointments. Two weeks before surgery insurance denied her surgery. We appealed and finally received an answer…two days before surgery…no. Insurance claimed it was unnecessary because Ryland had one good ear still.

Devastated wouldn’t even begin to describe what I felt. So I tried to presume other avenues with no success. She wouldn’t qualify for SS disability because she was already getting death benefits due to her father passing away.

When I inquired about potentially paying cash for the surgery I discovered it would be $64,000 for one ear! We aren’t even sure if her left ear would maintain an ability to fully hear as she has begun to decline slightly.

By the grace of God we had someone step up and offer to help us with the costs…but we don’t want to sit on our laurels…if anyone is able to help in anyway to help our generous silent Angel, we would love to pitch in for some of the costs. It would also help with speech therapy, machinery, and specialist visits.

If you know us…this isn’t an easy ask, but Ryland deserved a good quality of life. Thank you for all who help and please pray!