Jordan had his visit with the ear doctor last week. The results were not what we had been hoping for.
After his hearing test, we had been excited to learn that he had a working cochlea and hoped he would be able to have reconstructive surgery to build an ear canal.
That is not to be.
The place where his ear canal should be is totally blocked by bone and the nerve that conducts sound is running through it. It's hard to explain, but basically, there are several factors that make it impossible to do any type of reconstructive surgery or open the area where his ear should be.
It IS possible at a later date to implant a B.A.H.A hearing device to help him pick up some sound. We need to talk to them more about this possibility.
He has two options for his outer ear. One, he can have a prosthetic, which can be done in one surgery (they implant magnets to hold the ear on). Because it is 'cosmetic' the prosthetic is not covered by insurance. Lovely.
His other option is to have multiple surgeries where they take cartilage from his ribs and slowly build an ear. This is totally covered by insurance because it is surgery. It is much riskier and obviously, multiple surgeries is no fun.
We have an appointment this Friday afternoon with the plastic surgeon to discuss the options.
Jordan was disappointed--we are all disappointed. However, we are very grateful that his other ear is perfect and he hears well in most situations. He is anxious to get his prosthetic ear because he is getting very self-conscious about the stares he gets. Normally, they do not do an ear prosthetic before a child is age seven though.
God is good and He will help Jordan deal with whatever he needs to face. We are just thankful for modern medicine that will eventually give Jordan an ear that looks just like his other one.
