Zera Cochlear implant Surgery

We found out slowly that Zera has severe-profound hearing loss from a virus called 

 CMV that I contracted when I was pregnant. Unfortunately there were no symptoms of CMV and so I did not know I had it. The CMV virus can cause multiple problems to the baby during pregnancy but thankfully it only took Zera’s hearing.  Due to Zera having severe hearing loss we were told hearing aids would not be affective for her to develop speech and she would need bilateral Cochlear Implants. Cochlear implant surgery with all the appointments after as they slowly turn the sound on her implants will cost a total of $130,000.  We are told surgery is covered at 90% which is a blessing.. however the work doesnt stop there...We will have to drive to the cities weekly, then monthly and then every couple months after that as they slowly turn up her implants.  She will not be able to hear words immediately.  It will start as beeps and soon around 6months to a year she will start hearing words with her implants.  But in order to hear with her cochlear implants she will need extensive speech therapy 2 times a week to start and for years after her surgery.  We have been told we have a long road ahead of us so that Zera can get full benefit from her implants... With no implants Zera is deaf and so our family has chosen to start learning ASL.  We have been told it takes Zera A LOT OF WORK to learn this new sound and so there is also a special school in Roseville, MN that helps parents and the child learn a technique to promote language faster and help her learn her new sound.  This is an additional added cost of $80 for 1 session and they would want me to do this weekly on top of the speech therapy costs.   There will be a lot of expenses and work to learn this new sound but we are thrilled that Zera is a candidate to receive Cochlear implants and the gift of hearing!  

Zera is scheduled to receive bilateral cochlear implants on Sept 3rd and we hope she will start hearing sound on her first birthday Sept 30th!  What a GIFT to be given the gift of sound on her FIRST birthday!  Brandon, Zander, Zera and I are hoping for a smooth transition with cochlear implants for Zera. She will have to wait about 3 to 4 weeks after implant surgery to activate the implant and then they will slowly turn up the sound.  Watch for video’s as we go through this journey of sound for Zera!

Brandon, Zander, Zera and I want to thank everyone that has already donated and those who feel they would want to bless us with a donation to help give Zera this AMAZING gift of sound!

❤ Martinson Family