Family Celebrates Gift Of Hearing
Beaver Dam Boys Celebrate First Year Of Hearing
It's been a year to remember for a Beaver Dam family after a revolutionary surgery changed the lives of three boys.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe Mueller family said it is celebrating the one-year anniversary of an event that drastically changed the lives of Coltin, Casey and Riley Mueller. Last February, the three boys all received cochlear implants, allowing them to hear after a lifetime of silence.Brenda Mueller said all three of her boys were born deaf, but after the surgery, she said it's been a wonder to watch them experience one new sound after another."This year was the first year they could hear the fireworks, so we went to the fireworks," said Mueller. She said their eyes lit up at the Rhythm and Booms event in Madison.She said there were some hilarious moments along the way."I got a good boy one. I don't think they ever thought that mommy passed gas, so as embarrassing as that is for me, it's rather funny because the first time, I thought I was going to die laughing," said Mueller.She said that despite the progress her boys have made, the implants weren't a complete cure. The boys' teacher said they were learning to talk much the way a baby does, but were still more comfortable being deaf."My hope for this is that they learn to use hearing and use their implants for what best suits them so they can comfortably move between the hearing world and the deaf world. That they don't have to be one of the other. That their not forced down one path," said Mueller.Officials said that the implants and the rehabilitation can cost as much $40,000 and isn’t covered by many insurance companies. Rep. Frank Lasee, however, said that he proposed a bill that would mandate that insurance would cover the procedure for children younger than 11 years old.The bill is currently in the early stages, but many people like Mueller said that they hope it goes to a vote soon.Mueller said that she counts the implants as a blessing, no matter what happens."They heard the fireworks. They can hear a phone ring. They hear their dog bark," said Mueller. "You know, someday they'll probably be able to hear their baby cry. Those are things that they didn't have prior to the surgery and if that's all they get, well that's good enough."
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe Mueller family said it is celebrating the one-year anniversary of an event that drastically changed the lives of Coltin, Casey and Riley Mueller. Last February, the three boys all received cochlear implants, allowing them to hear after a lifetime of silence.Brenda Mueller said all three of her boys were born deaf, but after the surgery, she said it's been a wonder to watch them experience one new sound after another."This year was the first year they could hear the fireworks, so we went to the fireworks," said Mueller. She said their eyes lit up at the Rhythm and Booms event in Madison.She said there were some hilarious moments along the way."I got a good boy one. I don't think they ever thought that mommy passed gas, so as embarrassing as that is for me, it's rather funny because the first time, I thought I was going to die laughing," said Mueller.She said that despite the progress her boys have made, the implants weren't a complete cure. The boys' teacher said they were learning to talk much the way a baby does, but were still more comfortable being deaf."My hope for this is that they learn to use hearing and use their implants for what best suits them so they can comfortably move between the hearing world and the deaf world. That they don't have to be one of the other. That their not forced down one path," said Mueller.Officials said that the implants and the rehabilitation can cost as much $40,000 and isn’t covered by many insurance companies. Rep. Frank Lasee, however, said that he proposed a bill that would mandate that insurance would cover the procedure for children younger than 11 years old.The bill is currently in the early stages, but many people like Mueller said that they hope it goes to a vote soon.Mueller said that she counts the implants as a blessing, no matter what happens."They heard the fireworks. They can hear a phone ring. They hear their dog bark," said Mueller. "You know, someday they'll probably be able to hear their baby cry. Those are things that they didn't have prior to the surgery and if that's all they get, well that's good enough."
Previous Stories:
- February 11, 2008: Family Celebrates Gift Of Hearing
- February 9, 2008: Brothers Adjust To Sound Year After Cochlear Implants
- February 1, 2007: Deaf Brothers Get Implants To Hear For First Time
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