Nainy, on/ dancing her way to the top with Advanced Bionics’ Cochlear Implant System

Nainy, on/ dancing her way to the top with Advanced Bionics’ Cochlear Implant System

“In September 2005, God blessed me with a beautiful Angel. We decided to name her that, right on the first day. At home, we call her Nainy. Almost a teenager now, Nainy is the youngest and the most pampered one in the house” says Nainy’s mother.

Coming to terms with the fact that she cannot hear us was very difficult for our family. Her elder brother started responding to sounds when he was 15 or 20 days old. I knew something wasn’t right when she didn’t. Neither her father, nor her grandparents were ready to believe that she doesn’t hear.

As per a pediatrician, she was just being “moody”. For a while, we believed him. I deliberately spoke loudly around her hoping that she’d listen and look in my direction. With Diwali, my fears returned. The crackers didn’t startle her even a little bit. She slept like a panda throughout the Diwali season.

My family was still reluctant, but I was adamant this time. We consulted an audiologist and at the age of 9 months, my Angel was declared deaf.

For a brief time, I was drenched in desolation. Then I lifted myself up and promised myself that I will not let deafness affect the quality of my girl’s life.

Back then, we were living in Sikar, Rajasthan. Post some research, we found out that ‘Asha Kiran Language and Habilitation Center’ situated in Jaipur is the best private clinic in Rajasthan, catering to the needs of hearing impaired children. For 2.5 years, I must have visited Jaipur a hundred times, before we ultimately moved to the capital city. Mrs Rita Piplani did not just provide us with quality medical care, but also stood by us, firm as a rock, supporting us emotionally.

Cochlear Implants require a good financial planning. Till the time we managed that situation, Nainy struggled with hearing aids. She didn’t like her hearing aids at all and refused to wear them at home. She used to cry a lot and often complained of headaches.

She’s now using a Cochlear Implant from Advanced Bionics.

Hearing is not painful for Nainy anymore. To enhance its effect, we’re planning to go bilateral soon.

These days, she’s trying my patience with her laziness. TV is her life, and dancing is her newfound love. We’ve enrolled her in a Kathak class. She can dance in front of mirror the whole day, but ask her to do something else, and look at the speed with which she declines.

She isn’t much of a talker at home, but is very chirpy with her friends. I guess it’s some pre-teen phase which will pass.

She takes her grades very seriously because she wants to become a teacher when she grows up. Although she’s good with academics, English Grammar has been giving her sleepless nights lately. She’s bummed about it. Till last year, I tutored her at home. Her brother helped her too. This year, we’ve signed her up for a tuition class.

Summer break is about to start, so her father and I are planning to take her to ‘Crossword’. I’ve heard that reading improves language skills, so we’ll buy her some English novels.

“I don’t come across as a deaf kid anymore. In fact, people who don’t know anything about my hearing history don’t even realize that I have any hearing problem. It has enriched my life with positivity, a will to dream, and a hope that I’ll actualize them very soon...” says the 13 year old diva, Nainy.