My mom stood at the kitchen sink one morning, running water into it, while Denise was sitting in the door, looking outside. When she heard the water, Denise immediately turned her head towards it and listened.

Advertisement

Also, when she sits with us and we talk to her, she'll laugh. She doesn't necessarily look at you, but she laughs.

I just want her to react when I talk to her or when I use her name, but that doesn't happen yet. When I talk to her, she doesn't look at me, but when I make a noise right next to her head, she turns and looks at it. I always love doing that and seeing that she hears the sound.

Loud, high-pitched sounds
She more often reacts to sounds at the left ear than to sounds at the right one. Usually when we whistle, she'll look at us and smile. It's as if she hears the loud, high-pitched sounds better.

My dad breeds birds and there have been times when he took her to the birds. But she didn't like it very much. When she talks, she also doesn't talk as loudly anymore and one can hear that she is starting to make other sounds as well. During the last two weeks or so, she started making this "grrrr" sound. It's too cute!

We have never treated Denise differently because of her hearing impairment. We chat to her all the time – even when she's not wearing her "ears", we talk and sing to her. My whole family has been, and is still, very supportive. Everyone loves her to bits as she is such a cute, beautiful little thing.

My friends are also very supportive. They often talk to her and always enquire about her progress. Everyone is willing to help. It makes things a lot easier for me. During the day, when I work, Denise stays with my mom. She treats Denise very well. She always tries to see if Denise reacts to new sounds and if she has started to make new sounds. She often sings and plays with Denise.

She is her grandmother's and grandfather's favourite. My dad often chats to Denise and tries to get her attention – even when she's not wearing her "ears". He tries to speak louder and louder to her every time. Then I must tell him that she wouldn't react while she's not wearing her "ears".

Her dad also gives her a lot of attention and talks to her. He often walks with her in the yard and shows her the dogs.

'I've learnt to accept it'
In the beginning, it was difficult for me. But I've learnt to accept it and am thankful that only her hearing is affected. Denise could have been physically disabled.

I am just worried about her future – especially when I think of her as a grown-up, staying on her own. How will she hear in the night, when her "ears" aren't in, and somebody tries to break in?

I am also worried about the school that she will have to attend. I don't want to send her away to boarding school in another town. I want her to stay here in Potch with me, attending school here.

But at the moment I'm just enjoying her. I love to see how she is reacting to sounds. And I believe that things will be even better in future.
 

Print this article

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Operations Manager R20,000-25,000 Per Month Cost To Company Incl Benefits Gauteng - East Rand Financial Accountant: CA(SA) R400,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Key Account Manager Gauteng Java Developer-CT Western Cape - Cape Town Java Developer-Jozi Gauteng Account Manager R460,000-540,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Plus Benefits Gauteng Account Manager R460,000-540,000 Per Annum Market Related Plus Benefits South Africa Case Manager R210,000-220,000 Per Annum Negotiable Gauteng - Pretoria Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job