Brynn is a bright, curious and compassionate high school student who loves reading, writing poetry, playing basketball and caring for animals.
Brynn’s journey with hearing loss began at birth in 2008. Although her newborn hearing screening indicated typical hearing, her parents—already familiar with hearing loss due to her older brother Jevin’s single-sided deafness—remained attentive. As Brynn grew, they noticed her babbling wasn’t progressing into words and that her responses didn’t seem quite typical.
Further testing revealed the newborn screening had been inaccurate: Brynn was born with profound hearing loss in both ears. The diagnosis marked the beginning of a period full of major decisions. Due to internal anatomy, Brynn received a cochlear implant on her left side at two years old. Shortly thereafter, she began receiving early intervention services through Clarke Pennsylvania. In her final year at Clarke’s Preschool/Early Elementary Program, just after her sixth birthday, Brynn received an auditory brainstem implant on her right side.
The early years of personalized services Clarke’s Birth to Age Three and Preschool / Early Elementary Program were transformative. Brynn blossomed into a confident communicator—verbalizing in full sentences, listening with intent and connecting with those around her.
Today, Brynn’s an avid traveler and delights in discovering new places and learning about different cultures. Whether she’s dog-sitting for neighbors or playing with her team on the basketball court, Brynn brings energy, empathy and enthusiasm to everything she does.
Looking ahead, Brynn is planning to attend college and is exploring her academic interests with excitement and curiosity.
Reflecting on their experience, Brynn’s mother, Michelle, shares, “I don’t even know where to begin! We quite randomly met Clarke team members Sherri and Jeana at a conference, and it forever changed our lives. The time the Clarke staff spent understanding Brynn, supporting us through tough decisions and encouraging us made all the difference. Those early years of focusing on listening and spoken language skills helped Brynn get the most from her devices. We are forever grateful.”
Learn more about Brynn’s cochlear implant journey here.
