Born deaf, Christian learned to communicate in sign and speech. When he began to babble more, his hearing was re-evaluated. After a trial period with a BAHA, and consultations with Dr. Robert Peters and Linda Daniel, Christian became a candidate for an implant.
Christian seemed a happy and assertive child. Speaking, though, took great effort. While pursing his lips to shape sounds, his eyes would roll upwards, searching for expression. Aware of the implant’s controversy, his parents wanted to honor their duty to him and to God. Through prayer his parents realized that, with the implant, Christian would become a Deaf child who could hear.
A week after his 5th birthday, Christian’s implant was activated. Six weeks later, Christian learned to make “s” and “sh” sounds for the first time and respond to speech with more ease and spontaneity.