Chance Paxton is at first glance like any normal 5-yr old....but just a few years ago things weren't so normal when his parents discovered chance was severely deaf. Chances Mom had thought, "As a parent, how could I have missed [his hearing loss]?"

She went on to say, "There weren't any blatant signs, kids his age were making more words, Chance was trying but he was just not as clear."

Chance's hearing loss was picked up on childhood screening test. Since 1999, hearing screening for all newborn children has been mandated by state law. This screening helps identify nearly 100 children each year with hearing loss that would otherwise go undetected.

He says, "If you can identify and treat a child by the time they are about 6 months of age they'll tend to do a lot better."

Dr. Park and his team at primary children's say the state screening program is quite effective. For those children who fail the test, getting appropriate medical follow up is critical.

Dr. Park Recommends, "I think it is very important that additional testing be done and done relatively early. I would recommend, and this is consistent with the guidelines, to seek out a pediatric audiologist."

Through early testing chance became a candidate for a cochlear implant; a modern day miracle for those with severe hearing loss.

By introducing a very small electrode into the cochlea....the implant is able to convert sound waves to electrical impulses- - allowing people like chance, the chance to hear again.

Chance's mom says, "The cochlear implant, just from what we've seen thus far, you can see, hey, he is going to be able to reach his potential."

By Steven Mobley, MD
ABC 4 Medical Expert
www.MobleyMD.com

To learn more, see: http://www.infanthearing.org/legislative/summary/utah.html
http://www.audiology.org/

To find an audiologist, log onto:
http://www.audiology.org/

For Dr. Albert Park's University of Utah Pediatric Ear Nose and Throat Specialist link, log onto:

http://uuhsc.utah.edu/otolaryngology/pediatric_ent.html