My family was used for the fundraiser event in An...

My family was used for the fundraiser event in Anaheim. My daughter was bilaterally implanted and then activated Jan 2020. Dr. Guzzo was her Audiologist and initially seemed fine. After we brought up the fact that after several months, she was not responding at all to any sound, she assured us it was due to our shortcomings and not hers since "she's got extensive training in watching for signs that our daughter is hearing" during her time in the booth. We requested several times to adjust the mapping to which she replied that "she would not make adjustments just to make us feel better". I told her that when we are in the booth my daughter isn't turning to the corner due to sound, but due to the large bright screen that "assists" the child. She said she was passing her tests great and we just needed to work with her more. I insisted we turn off the monitors and try again. Once we did, she failed COMPLETELY.

This is NOT the type of attitude a doctor should have and NOT the type of facility that you should visit. After working with a new audiologist and speaking to a large community of implanted kids/parents, I truly feel that those kids that take to hearing quickly, do so heavily on their own. Providence parades those cases as though it is a result of their efforts and attempts to pass those of us who have more difficult cases, where it almost seems our kids prefer to be deaf, off as lazy or neglectful. We spent 9 months with Providence and had NO positive signs, so we started with another who remapped our daughters devices with which we instantly saw a change, literally day ONE. I can't describe here how happy yet angry that day made me feel.

If you watch our video interview online, which played during the fundraiser, we were 5 months in and still naive but beginning to have our doubts as to what was a result of their skill and what was the natural progression with the implant. We are very happy we left and are now working with our new audiologist instead. Hopefully your journey will not be as difficult, but if so, that you find someone who is observant and patient, or who has children so they understand the value in being receptive to the parents' experience day to day.