Celebrating The Small Victories

Hello from the Department of Audiology! My name is Hannah Calhoun and I’m a pediatric audiologist who joined The Children’s Hospital last fall. I have enjoyed my time here thus far and have especially loved working with our patients and families. Often, people ask how I discovered this small field of audiology and why I am so passionate about working with children with hearing loss. For me, it stems from my own experience as well as my love for children.

I was born with normal hearing, but as a child, I contracted meningitis and spent 10 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). Thanks to my team of ICU doctors and nurses I was able to recover, but I did lose my hearing and became profoundly deaf in both ears (caused by the infection entering the cochlea, damaging the hair cells and causing ossification – a common side effect of meningitis). After a sedated auditory brainstem response (ABR) exam with an audiologist and an ENT evaluation, I was then implanted with a cochlear implant in 1996 when I was two years old.

While a cochlear implant has been touted as one of the best medical advancements, it in no way is it an “easy fix” for hearing loss. My journey included many audiology appointments and speech and occupational therapy sessions over the years to get to where I am today. My cochlear implant has helped me improve my hearing and allows me to use listening and spoken language to communicate.  As a pediatric audiologist, one of my greatest joys is using my story to provide a living example to families that their children can be successful and achieve their dreams.

I share this with you all because the moral of my story is that it takes a village. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the medical professionals like ours at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio who care about their patients. Each small victory, such as discharging a patient from the ICU, teaching a patient how to walk again, or providing a child with access to sounds, often turns into major life milestones for that family.

Our Associates’ impact reaches further than we can see. I am so lucky to now be working at a hospital that prioritizes high standards of care, empathy towards patients and their families, and diversity in the workplace. Celebrate the small victories, turn disabilities into abilities.

— Hannah Calhoun, AuD, CCC-A

To learn more about how you can help, please visit ChildrensHospitalSAFoundation.org