tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.comments2009-10-27T22:35:10.166-05:00Gregnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-65682692360247904842009-10-27T22:35:10.166-05:002009-10-27T22:35:10.166-05:00You will LOVE mentor training!! You MUST meet my friend Evelyn Gardner...she will be there. I know quite a few of the folks that you are meeting...you will have such a great time!<br />I&#39;m glad that Max and Claire are doing so well...it sounds like Claire is doing great with the new ear! Hooray! :)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10649007194044098187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-86054193056927664572009-10-13T11:56:42.097-05:002009-10-13T11:56:42.097-05:00Hello, This is my first time visiting here. Your blog is a nice,I thought I would leave my first comment. :)<br><br />Greets from<br /><a rel="external" href="http://duniasoer.com/archives/kenali-dan-kunjungi-objek-wisata-di-pandeglang.html" rel="nofollow">Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang</a>Adihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06355802787660974633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-83661946337042452962009-07-10T22:34:50.740-05:002009-07-10T22:34:50.740-05:00Hello I found your blog off of Meet Cal. My son is two, has LVA and just had the Bilateral Cochlear Implant surgery Wednesday the 8th. I was wondering can I add your blog to my blog. Check us out <br />Gavin hears a who!<br />-Dustin, Heather and GavinDustin, Heather and Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626608579443866208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-75067541970414139722009-06-20T10:58:29.275-05:002009-06-20T10:58:29.275-05:00Congratulations on joining the BEA (Bionic Ear Association). It helps so much for people to learn from one another. Edie is awesome!!! <br /><br />Kim<br />www.hearingjourney.comKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04419837894023330006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-85925304656560345062009-06-11T20:29:40.535-05:002009-06-11T20:29:40.535-05:00Thanks for sharing Greg. I&#39;ll pray for Claire and the surgery.Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01075125066025621614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-37348531945710343712009-05-29T22:35:31.162-05:002009-05-29T22:35:31.162-05:00I know -- isn't it the scariest thing in the world? We faced the same grueling decisions, came to the same conclusions. Like Amy says, we're also now on the other side of surgery, which went like a dream, much easier than the 1st - the wee one was bouncing around as if all she'd gotten was a funky haircut the next morning! <br /><br />And the difference is pretty astounding, from the sudden desire to have both on all the time to a leap in hearing ability, even in challenging environments that had previously been no-hear zones: loud restaurants and in the car. <br /><br />Sending lots of good thoughts your way. Beth (Li-Li's Mom)Grendelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05116361391404416025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-43917747974076736492009-05-29T18:19:26.612-05:002009-05-29T18:19:26.612-05:00Great choice! You won't regret it. I understand your concerns, but we've been through this and we've come out on the other side VERY happy with the results. Life is good!<br /><br />Amy<br />cochlearimplant.netkwilinskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578499526496396616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-39231748276315123442009-05-18T07:51:00.000-05:002009-05-18T07:51:00.000-05:00Wow, 4 sports camps! Sounds like he's going to have a fun summer!! :)Samantha Brillinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352400778173981413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-34592325540940970812009-05-10T12:49:00.000-05:002009-05-10T12:49:00.000-05:00Amen to Laura's comment!Nanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17278524341703246890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-43708180050565085132009-05-07T18:25:00.000-05:002009-05-07T18:25:00.000-05:00No advice...only prayers. God could never have chosen better parents for Max &amp; Claire than you two. Love you guys!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01866674133321836577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-22857653652440219632009-05-04T16:50:00.000-05:002009-05-04T16:50:00.000-05:00Greg,<br />Just wanted to tell you how beautiful your family is. They always have been, but the new pictures are just great. I can't believe how big Max is...and so handsome! My, my, where does the time go? Tell Steph hello!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603676680311734011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-63699344352514878782009-04-29T13:21:00.000-05:002009-04-29T13:21:00.000-05:00Thanks for the insight everyone. I'm sure that you will getting more questions from me in the near future.Greg Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770791206761317617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-91251639623724843842009-04-28T20:21:00.000-05:002009-04-28T20:21:00.000-05:00Greg,<br />I'm praying for you and Stephanie. I do have to say that Rachel's advice sounds really good!!!Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01075125066025621614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-60120486113540173352009-04-23T09:20:00.000-05:002009-04-23T09:20:00.000-05:00While wearing a hearing aid on the other ear may be an option, a good number of people cannot benefit from it because they have too little to no residual hearing. <br /><br />Even if they have some residual hearing, the benefit of having a second implant is still incredible. I know a few people who had residual hearing and still got a second implant, and they tell me that they hear a lot better with two implants than with one implant and a hearing aid. If you would like for me to, I can connect you to a few cochlear implant recipients who have bilateral CIs and used to wear a hearing aid on the non-implanted ear.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523631828407249127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-68688665986284585412009-04-20T08:05:00.000-05:002009-04-20T08:05:00.000-05:00Hey! <br /><br />Have you thought about trying to put a hearing aid in the other ear for Claire to see if that helps with getting more sounds on both sides? <br /><br />I have a CI in my right ear and a hearing aid in my left. This really helps me by getting sounds through both ears. And since I benefit with the hearing aid, I'm holding off on the surgery to go bilateral. <br /><br />But I am sure, whatever you decide, you're kids will be just fine! :) Good Luck!<br /><br />~SamSamantha Brillinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352400778173981413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-60673412692998195162009-04-17T23:20:00.000-05:002009-04-17T23:20:00.000-05:00Hi there!<br /><br />As you know, I am a bilateral cochlear implant user, and I can tell you that it's one of the best decisions of my life. There is no comparison between hearing with two implants and hearing with one implant. The sounds sound richer and fuller. My distance hearing improved. For instance, I can have conversations with people who are in a different room. My hearing in background noise is also better. I could go on and on with the benefits. You can see more information about it on my website here - http://cochlearimplantonline.com/site/?page_id=619<br /><br />Also, I understand that Mary Ann Costin worked with Max. She told me on a few occasions that she has personally noticed that when her clients got a second implant, their language development improved dramatically.<br /><br />Another important thing - the nerves begin to close and lose its plasticity after the age of 9 years old and so, I would get them bilateral implants while they're young so that they can receive incredible benefits. <br /><br />I truly think it's worth going through the surgery for better quality of hearing! <br /><br />Also, an advice for you - I would wear an ear plug in one of your ears for a week - this will give you a better idea of how your kids are hearing with one implant.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523631828407249127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-35726077929476874672009-02-02T12:13:00.000-06:002009-02-02T12:13:00.000-06:00Hey thanks for sharing. I came across your blog on the bionic ear site. Our son is 5 months old and profoundly deaf and we are thinking implant route. Do you have any regrets with the implant? Also, do you like the bionic implant?<BR/><BR/>This probably seems weird since I don't know you, but your situation seems similar to ours. <BR/><BR/>Any info or thoughts would be helpful. <BR/><BR/>Thanks, <BR/><BR/>Steve <BR/>sperkins88@gmail.comStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749675227318061418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-40734729774018395612008-09-12T04:28:00.000-05:002008-09-12T04:28:00.000-05:00Go Max, He's awesome little guy... Got so much confidence hasn't he... Well done for biting your teeth and let him get on with his little life... <BR/>look forward hearing more stories of Max and of course Claire..<BR/><BR/>Hugs <BR/><BR/>CharlotteCharlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08878660057038399149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-9793269764946617362008-09-03T14:52:00.000-05:002008-09-03T14:52:00.000-05:00Hooray for Max!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10523026102207613431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-55545845608430866782008-09-02T23:34:00.000-05:002008-09-02T23:34:00.000-05:00Congratulations! The exciting journey has just begun! Now the hardest part is waiting for activation! We'll all be following and cheering you along at Deaf Village!elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10663929239169742222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-27114084817642111252008-09-02T22:34:00.000-05:002008-09-02T22:34:00.000-05:00I can understand your fear of putting your precious child under the knife. After being profoundly deaf from birth, the CI was the best thing it has ever happened in my entire life. We (my CI brother) are hearing so many things we have never heard of with our HAs till we both were implanted. WOW, what an incredible CI journey to hear all the amazing sounds that surround us. I can't wait to hear all about his journey.<BR/><BR/>DebbieDebbie/Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756577573134148616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-26228748542675636572008-08-21T15:45:00.000-05:002008-08-21T15:45:00.000-05:00Hi Eddie,<BR/><BR/>I hope you didn't mind me using your name.<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/>GregGreg Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770791206761317617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-83976633331236121812008-08-21T15:43:00.000-05:002008-08-21T15:43:00.000-05:00Yes. Max and Claire both have cochlear implants. I'll try to write about their surgeries and their turn-ons soon.<BR/><BR/>ThanksGreg Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10770791206761317617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-63288431915552766752008-08-21T09:02:00.000-05:002008-08-21T09:02:00.000-05:00Hello Hawkins family! You guys certainly are on an excellent adventure! I was surprised to see my name mentioned. You made my whole career! Thanks for the kudos - but you guys have made the difference to Max and Claire. I look forward to reading more and seeing more photos. Max is so big! When did that happen? EdieEdie Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16182240877051979404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-490382716117614701.post-30425758853955922352008-08-16T01:06:00.000-05:002008-08-16T01:06:00.000-05:00So does Max have a CI?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04419837894023330006noreply@blogger.com