Children’s Hearing Program Restores Hearing and Hope
Dean Berrones was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of 1. His family turned to UHealth’s Children’s Hearing Program for help.
The first day of kindergarten is a milestone for all children, but it was particularly momentous for Dean Berrones and his family. There was a time, not too long ago, when his parents feared their son would never be able to attend a mainstream school.
Shortly after Dean’s first birthday, the Berrones realized his speech was not progressing. He was still babbling and only had one or two words in his vocabulary. They also noticed that, if Dean was walking in front of them, he did not respond when they called his name. Concerned, they brought their son to the pediatrician, who referred the family to an audiologist. Preliminary tests showed moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss.
Multidisciplinary Care for Hearing Loss
The Berrones knew there was no time to lose. They needed to get Dean support and intervention to get his speech and language development on track. That brought the family to the Children’s Hearing Program (CHP) at the UHealth Ear Institute, one of the few comprehensive programs in the world for children with hearing loss.
“From our very first appointment with Dr. McNair, Dean’s audiologist, we knew we were in good hands,” said Lauren Beronnes, Dean’s mother. “After a series of diagnostic tests and imaging, the doctors and audiologists at the Children’s Hearing Program gave us the answers we were desperately seeking. We learned Dean was profoundly deaf in both ears and would need bilateral cochlear implants.”
As shocking as that news was, Berrones says the multidisciplinary team of pediatric otologists (ear surgeons), audiologists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists and educational specialists was there to guide the family through every step along this journey. Ultimately, they shred in the family’s excitement of seeing Dean react to sound after his cochlear implants were activated.
Hearing Regained, Dean is Thriving
It’s now been more than three years since Dean regained his hearing, and he is thriving. His parents say he’s on par academically with his classmates and excels in jujitsu, having already earned his gray/white belt.
“It’s hard to put into words just how grateful we are for the Children’s Hearing Program and how they have embraced our entire family,” said Lauren. “Although there was no genetic cause of Dean’s hearing loss, they are now closely following our newborn son, conducting special auditory screenings to detect if any hearing loss develops.”
Taking a proactive role in hearing health is fundamental to the mission of the Children’s Hearing Program. Because the critical period for language learning is from birth to age 3, early diagnosis of hearing loss is crucial.
“We try our best not only to educate families and patients about hearing loss, but to promote the importance of hearing screening for children who either have siblings that have hearing loss or present symptoms of hearing loss,” said Jordan McNair, Au.D., assistant professor of clinical audiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “The Children’s Hearing Program offers a multidisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to ensuring that each patient reaches their full potential, just as Dean has.”
Philanthropic Funding
The Berrones’ boys are just two of the nearly 5,000 children who benefit from the Children’s Hearing Program’s services each year. These services include hearing evaluations, speech therapy, psychological support, educational consultations, family support and community outreach. Often, a child’s first hearing aid or implant is only the beginning.
“Donor support is critical to the ongoing success of the Children’s Hearing Program because it ensures that our services remain accessible to every child and family who is in need,” said Chrisanda Marie Sanchez, Au.D., director of the Children’s Hearing Program and associate professor of clinical otolaryngology at the Miller School. “Philanthropy is what turns the spark of hearing into a lifelong journey of language, learning and connection. It transforms medical treatment into a limitless opportunity, ensuring that all children with hearing loss reach their fullest potential and the promising future they deserve.”
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Tags: audiology, Children's Hearing Program, cochlear implants, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Audiology, hearing, hearing loss, otolaryngology