In honor of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, we’re celebrating the incredible journeys of those with hearing loss.
Meet Sadie—a bright, fearless little girl who turns two this month. Her parents, Aimee and Brandon, lovingly describe her as “the happiest kid you’ll ever meet.” She’s curious, cuddly, confident, and full of laughter. But more than anything, Sadie is already teaching everyone around her what it means to face challenges with courage and joy.
Sound Beginnings
Sadie’s hearing story started just days after she was born, when she didn’t pass her newborn hearing screening. At only two weeks old, she was referred to Hearts for Hearing, where she was diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears.
“As new parents, we didn’t know what to expect,” Aimee remembers. “But Hearts for Hearing gave us the guidance and hope we needed. Thanks to their support, Sadie has embraced her hearing aids and adjusted beautifully.”
A Relationship with Sound—and Herself
Today, Sadie doesn’t just wear her hearing aids—she celebrates them. Each morning before heading out the door, she points to her ears with a smile and says, “hearing aid,” making sure she has them on. One of the family’s sweetest traditions is Sadie singing “night night hearing aids” before bedtime, creating a positive relationship with the devices that help her connect with the world of sound.
One unforgettable moment for her family came in the car one day. Aimee vividly remembers buckling Sadie into her car seat when a train horn sounded in the distance, Sadie turned to her mom and exclaimed, “choo choo!” “I remember thinking, ‘She heard it!’” Aimee shared, still moved by the memory.
A Team That Feels Like Family
The family’s journey with Hearts for Hearing has been nothing short of transformative. From their very first appointment, Aimee and Brandon say they’ve felt “welcomed, validated, and supported.” Sadie shares a special bond with her audiologist, Dr. Kelsey Mount—her “bestie,” as Aimee puts it. Dr. Mount’s warmth and patience make hearing tests feel like play, while also ensuring Sadie’s unique needs are always prioritized.
Sadie also works with Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Jessica Fuqua, who gently guides her development, encouraging milestones while meeting her exactly where she is. And the connections don’t stop there—Sadie and Aimee have found community through Hearts for Hearing Baby and Me group and recently completed a year in the Listening for Littles classroom in Tulsa.
A Life Full of Sound, Love, and Possibility
Sadie’s world is filled with laughter, music, books, and adventure. She adores baby dolls, playing at the park, walking outdoors, and spending time at church. She gives hugs freely, loves her friends, and finds pure joy in reading and music.
Her parents chose a listening and spoken language approach because they believed it would give Sadie the best tools to express herself. Brandon, a high school teacher and coach, and Aimee, a devoted stay-at-home mom, are passionate about helping Sadie build a bright and confident future.
Looking ahead, Sadie’s parents hope their daughter “will have confidence in herself and that her hearing loss can be an inspiration for others.” With her fearless spirit and the strong foundation her parents and support team have built, Sadie is already well on her way to achieving both goals – one joyful “choo choo” at a time.
Advice for Fellow Parents on a Listening and Spoken Language Journey
Aimee and Brandon want other parents of children with hearing loss to know: You’re not alone—and there’s joy ahead.
Here are a few of their favorite tips:
• Create positive routines: Sadie says good morning and good night to her hearing aids every day, helping her see them as a natural and happy part of life.
• Get creative with earmolds: Let your child have fun choosing colors—they’re part of what makes hearing aids uniquely theirs.
• Pilot hats are lifesavers: Especially for active little ones, they help keep devices snug and secure.
As noted during National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, “Communication is the essence of human connection—giving everyone a voice ensures no story goes unheard and no potential remains untapped.” Learn more about National Speech-Language-Hearing Month and how you can help change the lives of children with hearing loss in Oklahoma by clicking here.
