Ahaana’s magic ears: Speech and Hearing Month

At five years old, Ahaana’s deep joy and desire for connection are easily observed by everyone around her. Her playful but intelligent conversation demonstrates how she is goofy, creative, endlessly curious, witty and has deep empathy for others. She lives with her parents, Ankit and Mansi, and her one-month-old baby brother Agastya. 

Ahaana is surrounded by love that stretches across generations and cultures, enjoying visits from her grandparents on weekends or when her family travels to India regularly to stay connected to their roots. Ahaana loves science experiments with her dad, Ankit, and crafts and reading with her mom, Mansi. Social by nature, Ahaana is often the first to help a new child at school, guiding classmates through routines, holding hands to provide comfort and even helping them put on their winter attire. A natural leader with a strong sense of responsibility, she is learning multiple languages, including Hindi and French. She has a love for music, dance and creativity that continues to grow. 

Ahaana’s drive and ability to explore her world were once only a dream to her parents. Born during the COVID-19 pandemic, she entered a world already filled with much anxiety. Shortly after birth, Ahaana failed her newborn hearing screening in both ears. Like many families, Ankit and Mansi were initially reassured that this was common and often temporary. However, follow-up tests through Grandview Kids’ Infant Hearing Program and Audiology service told a different story. After three screenings and a detailed audiology assessment, Ahaana was diagnosed with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. This meant she could not hear sounds at all in either ear, and traditional hearing aids would not help. 

With no family history of hearing loss, the diagnosis was shocking. Due to COVID restrictions, only one parent could attend appointments, making the experience even more isolating. At home, Ankit and Mansi found themselves testing sounds–calling her name, dropping toys, turning on music–hoping for any reaction. Slowly, it became clear that Ahaana was not responding to sound, though her other senses were heightened. She relied on physical closeness, movement and touch to feel safe and connected. 

Like many parents, Ankit and Mansi moved through denial, grief, fear and overwhelming uncertainty. But once the diagnosis was fully understood, they reached a turning point: acceptance. With that acceptance came the determination to learn everything they could and to make the most informed, loving decision possible for their daughter. 

Ahaana’s care journey became a shared decision-making process, guided by specialists at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Grandview Kids and cochlear implant support organizations. The family learned about cochlear implants, how they bypass underdeveloped parts of the ear and use electrical signals to stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing the brain to learn sound over time. Speech therapy, they learned, would be just as critical as the technology itself. 

They researched extensively, attended virtual meetings and connected with other families, including a cochlear implant community advocate who lived nearby and shared her own lived experience of parenting a child with cochlear implants. Seeing older children with cochlear implants thrive gave them hope. While the risks of surgery were frightening, the compassion and expertise of the medical team, especially their surgeon, Dr. Papsin, at SickKids, helped ground them. Rather than focusing on unanswered questions like “why,” the team encouraged them to focus on what came next: recovery, growth and possibility. Their SickKids Audiologist, Dr. Laurie, was a source of constant support since Ahaana was two months old. She took the time to listen, answer their queries and assist the family in overcoming the learning curve of cochlear implant use. 

Throughout this time, Grandview Kids played a pivotal role. Before surgery, Ahaana received audiology support, early speech-language pathology (SLP) and guidance from educators specializing in deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Even while knowing hearing aids would not restore Ahaana’s perception of sound, they were used to help her and her parents become familiar with the devices and routines. More importantly, Grandview Kids supported the family emotionally, acknowledging the grief, helping them prepare for surgery and reminding them they were not alone. Ahaana’s Speech-Language Pathologist, Alishia C., exemplified Grandview Kids’ values of belonging, excellence and connection through her kind, caring and family-centred service. Alishia helped Mansi and Ankit discover their own potential, amplifying their voice and value as partners in care, and celebrated successes together along the way.  

In October 2021, Ahaana underwent a six-hour bilateral cochlear implant surgery. It was an emotional day for her parents, but the surgery was successful. Recovery was swift, and by the time she arrived home, Ahaana was already playing on her playmat, resilient and determined. One month later, on November 8, 2021, a day before her first birthday, her implants were activated. Six months after activation, the results were extraordinary. With consistent speech therapy, family dedication and ongoing support, Ahaana’s speech developed rapidly, soon on par with her hearing peers. She hums, sings and listens to music every night before bed, and she is preparing to learn piano! Her cochlear implants, lovingly called her “magic ears,” have become a celebrated part of who she is.

Grandview Kids continued to walk alongside the family before, during and long after surgery. Through audiology check-ins, SLP and the Infant and Child Hearing Program, Ahaana’s parents gained confidence in their approach and reassurance that they were doing the right things. However, it was the Family Engagement Program, specifically their Caregiver Café, a monthly networking and respite event for Grandview Kids parents and caregivers, that truly transformed their journey. Through connection with other families, Ankit and Mansi found a powerful sense of belonging. Hearing others’ stories helped them heal, dream again and even find the courage to grow their family. They realized the power of community, not just for support, but for the discovery of their own strength and potential as advocates. 

Today, Ahaana’s family celebrates not only how far she has come, but the community that helped make it possible. They now volunteer, share their story openly and connect with families just beginning similar journeys. They are raising awareness, offering hope and reminding parents to give themselves grace. They are teaching Ahaana that her differences are her special powers, to find beauty in them by making her headbands colourful and pretty and to learn to advocate for her needs