PEI Helps Improve Young Patient’s Hearing

When you first meet 11-year-old Peyton Hunt, you’ll notice she’s a chatty and inquisitive young girl, with a big personality who loves to ask questions. However, according to her mom, it wasn’t always easy for Peyton to engage with the world around her.

Peyton was diagnosed with hearing loss at a young age. She was initially treated with tubes inserted into her ears. However after going through 11 different pairs, the tubes were deemed ineffective and she was eventually fitted for hearing aids.

“At first everything seemed fine but I noticed she would always ask for me to turn the volume up on her hearing aids,” said Teena Hunt, Peyton’s mother.

After discussing her concerns with an ear, nose and throat doctor, Hunt was referred to the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) for further treatment. That’s where Peyton and her parents met with Dr. Lindsay Bondurant, director of PEI and pediatric audiologist.

The initial visit revealed that Peyton’s hearing aids were not fit properly and were in need of a readjustment.

“We had to refit Peyton’s hearing aids appropriately for her hearing loss. We also had to replace her ear molds - which are the pieces that connect the hearing aid to the ear,” said Dr. Bondurant.

The difference in Peyton’s hearing was almost immediate.  At one of her very first appointments, she was able to hear her baby sister clearly for the first time.

“When we first started fitting the hearing aids, her baby sister started babbling and almost immediately Peyton perked up. That’s when her mom said, ‘I think that’s the first time Peyton heard the baby,’” Dr. Bondurant said.

Not only has Peyton’s hearing improved with her newly fitted hearing aids, her communication has as well. According to her mother, while Peyton would talk in the past, she’s now more engaged in conversations both at home and at school.

“Her biggest improvement has definitely been her speech. Now she’ll sit down and have a conversation with us,” said Hunt. “And she can actually hear her teachers asking questions so she’s doing much better in school.”

Hunt says she’s so grateful for the quality care Peyton has received at PEI.

“My experience at the Pennsylvania Ear Institute has been great,” she said. “They took the time to pay attention, listen to my concerns and to see what was actually wrong.”

As for Peyton, what does she think of her new and improved sense of sound?

“These are my favorite hearing aids in the world,” she said.

“Peyton really loves it. Now she wants to keep her hearing aids in all the time,” said Hunt with a laugh. “It’s made such a huge difference.”