Finding Her Voice: Kaylee’s Story

After failing her newborn hearing screening and attending several follow-up appointments, Kaylee, only 9 months old, was diagnosed with bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueducts (EVA), a form of sensorineural hearing loss that can progress over time. At that point, her hearing loss was mild to moderate. 

Initially, her parents were navigating a new reality while learning how to support her and how to communicate with her. 

For her mom, those early days were overwhelming. She remembers wondering if Kaylee could hear her voice when she said, “I love you.” She filled their days with sound, talking, reading, singing, and doing everything she could to help her daughter connect with the world. 

For her dad, Clarke became a trusted resource, not just for Kaylee, but for him as a parent. It gave him confidence and clarity in how to support her day to day, knowing she had a team behind her helping her grow and thrive. 

With support from Clarke, Kaylee is learning to listen, talk, and express herself. Today, she’s a bubbly, confident, and adventurous child who loves to sing, tell stories, and connect with everyone she meets. 

And now, she doesn’t just listen, she performs! She can sing every word of “Let It Go” and the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” and tell stories that go on and on. She can now do so many things her parents were once unsure would be possible. For them, Clarke has been more than a school. It’s been a source of guidance and community, helping them grow alongside Kaylee and celebrate milestones that once felt out of reach. 

At this year’s Listening Walk, they’ll come together as part of “Kaylee’s Hearoes,” walking with friends and family to raise awareness for hearing loss and show what’s possible for children like Kaylee.