Born deaf, Danny later received a cochlear implant after his family discovered the technology. From ice hockey to being involved in high school leadership, his cochlear implant has helped him overcome social challenges and embrace his identity. Learn more about Danny’s journey here:
“I was born deaf. At only 12 months old1, I underwent surgery to receive my cochlear implant. My parents actively sought out different options to help me and found Cochlear to be the most effective and efficient devices on the market. I have not known life without my cochlear implant.
Coming to terms with my cochlear implant
As a kid I hated the fact that I was different from most children around me. I constantly wondered why children my age didn’t have the same cochlear implant, as I thought it was the status quo. At only 5 years old, I made every attempt to blend in with my peers. I knew I was different but I didn’t truly know what it meant. I would eventually find out later that it would be the coolest thing in my life.
As a kid, I was very involved in travel ice hockey. My parents were hesitant to let their 4-year-old child participate in one of the most high level contact sports with a cochlear implant, but I had proved their prenotions wrong. Having a cochlear implant gave me the chance to excel in the sport and has allowed me to build lifelong friendships with both my coaches and my teammates.
I was able to attend public school from kindergarten through eighth grade. My parents can attest to the fact that I was a particularly extroverted child. As a result, I would befriend and talk to everyone in my surroundings. In only first grade, I would go on to meet my six closest best friends. It would be incorrect to say I haven’t struggled with coming to terms with who I am.
My transition into high school was uneasy as I moved schools and also had to move away from all my friends. I did not know a single person at this new school, and I certainly began to feel insecure about myself, as I wondered what they would say about my cochlear implant.
Creating a new life at a new school
For a while I distanced myself from this new environment and closed myself off from succeeding socially. This was such a drastic change as I was usually the extroverted kid in the classroom. Eventually I had put things into perspective and realized that if people had something to say about my cochlear implant, they weren’t worthy of my time to begin with. My freshman year was difficult, but as I started my sophomore year, I began to branch out. I started talking to the people in my classes, gained close friends and became more involved with extracurriculars at school.
I am about to start my senior year of high school and I am currently the president of our school’s Medical Club, vice president of the Science Research Club, a Senior Leader for the incoming freshman class and I have made the honor roll every trimester since freshman year. I began to cherish my cochlear implant. I wanted people to know about it.
Gratitude and a mission
I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for my cochlear implant. I currently have the Cochlear™ Kanso® 2 Sound Processor and I can confidently say it is one of my favorite sound processors that I have had yet.
I am eternally grateful that I am able to hear through my sound processor and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have made it my mission to give back to the cochlear implant community, so I have created my own website called Cochlear Connect (Instagram: @cochlear.connect). Cochlear Connect will be a place specifically for those who wear cochlear implants and need a community to fall back on. At Cochlear Connect you can find my story, stories from others and referrals to medical professionals to get your cochlear implant journey started!”
Cochlear implants may help your child become involved with any areas of interest in their life, just like Danny. To learn about these hearing loss solutions read more here.
- In the United States, the Cochlear Nucleus 24 cochlear implant system is intended for use in children 9 months to 24 months of age who have bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss and demonstrate limited benefit from appropriate bilateral hearing aids. Children 2 years of age or older may demonstrate severe to profound hearing loss bilaterally. In Canada, the Cochlear Nucleus Implant System (CI500 and CI600 Series) is intended for use in children 9 months to 24 months of age who have bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss and demonstrate limited benefit from appropriate bilateral hearing aids. Children two years of age or older may demonstrate severe to profound hearing loss bilaterally.
