Both my children are deaf

I’m Chloe, and I’m mum to Dylan (8) and Millie (2). Both of our children are profoundly deaf with cochlear implants.

I found out Dylan was deaf around two weeks after he was born when he failed two newborn hearing tests. We had more testing done at the hospital where they gave the diagnosis of profound deafness.

Looking back, I went into autopilot and just dealt with everything that came our way. I don’t think I ever fully processed it. This was just our normal, and I didn’t look at him any differently! I did have days that were hard, and I couldn’t believe this was real. He was still the most chatty, happy baby I could have ever asked for!

We found out Millie was deaf the day after she was born. We had an in-depth newborn hearing test in hospital due to our history, and she failed this. We were referred to an audiology clinic that day. Once we had our diagnosis for Millie’s profound deafness, the referral process for cochlear implants was very speedy.

Finding out about Millie being deaf did hit me a lot harder because I believed it wouldn’t happen again, even though I knew the chances were high. Having to go through all those emotions and process them again bought everything I felt with Dylan back. Millie is the most perfect little girl whose smile lights up a room! She's also becoming a little sass pot in her twos!

It’s never easy knowing your child can’t hear, especially when they're your tiny newborn baby. It did take time for it to sink in, but I wouldn’t change either of them for the world. It’s a bond they will have forever. Their own superpower with their special ears! Each morning Millie gets Dylan’s 'ears' and takes them to him, and then he gets hers – it’s so sweet.

Dylan is obsessed with football and being outdoors. He doesn’t let anything get in his way and will give anything a try! Having cochlear implants hasn’t affected his confidence. He’s the same as anyone else, just with some funky ears! I’m forever proud of him!

Millie is just the happiest little girl and loves being around people. She has taken to wearing her implants so well, and I’m really thankful we never have had a problem with her wearing them. They are a part of her and who she is, and she certainly doesn’t let anything stop her!

The bond they both have is everything and more.