Sounds come alive for Jordan

“The moment we had been waiting for, for 14 months finally arrived on October 20; our little boy reacted to sound.”

These were the emotional words of Nicoleen van der Merwe, whose 14-month-old son, Jordan, had his first cochlear implant (fitted on September 29) switched on.

Mom Nicoleen and dad Dwyne struggled to find the words to describe how they felt.

“I felt Jordan’s breathing increase, I felt him look up and then he reacted to sound for the first time in his life,” said Nicoleen.

Though Jordan can now hear sounds because his implant sends electronic impulses to his brain, he does not know that these impulses are sound and will now begin learning how to interpret them.

“We are just over-the-moon that he is able to hear,” Nicoleen added emotionally.

“Soon our little boy will be able to hear our voices and recognise them.

“He will know what his mommy and his daddy sound like.”

To the delight of his parents and doctors Jordan has had no problems with the device and he’s not pulling and tugging at it.

“Jordan seems so much happier now that he can hear,” added Nicoleen.

The family will continue to visit the audiologist for more implant programming.

This will enable Jordan to listen to finer sounds and to absorb background noise around him.

The family once again thanked the community for their support.

“Honestly’, without your help none of this would be possible,” Nicoleen said.

The family is still raising funds for Jordan’s second cochlear implant.

They have several fund-raisers planned, including:

•  a golf day, which will be held at Germiston Golf Club on November 10.

For more information call Nicoleen on 072 176 8759 or 011 436-0354, or Tanya Smit on 060 975 4514, or email to tanya.smit@investecmail.com.

• The sale of educational toys.

For more information contact Nicoleen on 072 176 8759.