A young girl named Sophia received a cochlear implant on her birthday, giving her access to sound for the first time through the device, according to Local 10 News. Sophia, who is profoundly deaf, was diagnosed with Noonan syndrome, a genetic condition that can affect the heart, ears and kidneys.
Her care is handled by a team of doctors at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. Sophia’s mother said the staff knows her medical history well, which helps the team take preventive steps.
Rena Levy, Sophia’s pediatric audiologist and cochlear implant coordinator, said testing shows Sophia now has significantly better auditory access than she had with hearing aids or without any amplification. The implant is surgically placed to stimulate the auditory nerve.
Levy said children can receive a cochlear implant as young as 9 to 12 months old.
