Take a moment and think about the sounds you experience everyday. How would your reality be shaped if you could only hear every other word? Would your childhood memories be different?

As an infant, each sound, touch or smell we encounter shapes our development, affecting our future and interaction with others. Hearing loss, even minor, can cause educational, language and emotional development to falter if not treated properly at an early age.

Often, hearing loss is seen as an ailment affecting senior citizens, yet according to a survey performed by the Center for Disease Control, five out 1,000 children between the ages of three and 17 were found to have significant hearing delay when parents responded to the question, “Which statement best describes the child’s hearing without a hearing aid: good, a little trouble, a lot of trouble, or deaf?”

Last year, over 1,100 adults and children, ages birth to 100, came to the Heartspring Hearing Center for hearing related services. Consultations ranged from hearing evaluations and Tinnitus screenings, to the purchase of hearing aids. The Heartspring Hearing Center, through the Donor Hearing Aid Program (DAP), provides hearing aids at minimal cost, as well as testing, evaluation and follow up to hearing impaired clients who cannot afford the full cost of these services. This unique program is the only one of its kind in Kansas, and serves clients from across the state.

Jesse is one of the Donor Hearing Aid Program’s younger clients. Born with Down syndrome, conductive hearing loss and two holes in his heart resulting in sleep apnea, Jesse lives with his father Jason and is an active nine year old. Not too different than many boys his age, Jesse loves swimming and according to Jason, tries hard to help outside with yard work and is starting to master the art of pancake flipping.

Jason works long hours at a local processing plant, but it is evident that Jesse is his world. The love and enjoyment that Jesse and Jason share is a true testament to the bond of father and son. “I try hard to plan things for Jesse to do each day,” said Jason.

Wanting only the best for his son, Jason searches out solutions no matter the obstacle. Jason easily recalled when Jesse’s hearing because an issue. “Jesse’s teachers and I had begun to notice that he wasn’t talking very much, wasn’t turning around when prompted and acting like he wasn’t listening. We realized that there might be a hearing problem,” he said. After personal recommendations from friends who were also Heartspring employees, Jason made an appointment for Jesse to have a hearing evaluation.

The initial hearing test for a child requires two staff, one to focus and direct the child during the process and the second to administer the tests. If the evaluation determines the child needs hearing aids, a follow up appointment is scheduled to make ear mold impressions for a comfortable and proper fit.

Because of structural differences inside the ear, 30% of babies with Down syndrome have varying degrees of hearing loss. Jesse’s first appointment revealed a moderate hearing loss so he was fitted with two behind-the-ear hearing aids.

Jason noticed a difference in Jesse’s speech quickly. At his two-week follow up appointment Jesse said cow, dad and a few more words, said Cassidae King, Heartspring audiology intern.

Jesse has worn hearing aids for close to six months and not only are words becoming easier, his classroom performance and confidence have improved, and his sense of independence has grown. “For the first time recently he actually spoke a command, ‘Come on’,” said Jason. The pride in Jason’s voice was unmistakable.