NC sisters among first to try new hearing implant in U.S.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- This week marks Educational Audiology Awareness Week. In Wake County, audiologists are helping students like Kenzie and Lily Ferguson thrive in the classroom and beyond.
The sisters, who attend Oakview Elementary School, are among the first children in the United States to use a new kind of hearing technology called Bonebridge. It's an implanted internal bone conduction device that works with an external sound processor.
This is the latest milestone in their journey.
"When Kenzie was about 18 months old, I just felt like she wasn't really, like, hitting her communication milestones," their mom, Jill Ferguson, said.
We really saw a significant improvement in their confidence, in their ability to answer questions.- Dr. Meg Guenther, WCPSS audiologist
Jill, who works as a speech pathologist, knew something was off early on. Her concerns led to doctor visits, hearing evaluations, and eventually a diagnosis that explained both girls' hearing challenges.
"Their ear canals narrow to the point that they are closed," said Dr. Meg Guenther, an audiologist with the Wake County Public School System. "In that situation, a traditional hearing aid isn't really effective because it doesn't matter how loud we make it. That ear canal is not open, and the sound would always be dampened."
Dr. Guenther is one of 14 audiologists supporting students across the county. She worked closely with the Fergusons to support their classroom experience and ensure they have equitable access to the curriculum.
Kenzie and Lily were eventually chosen to take part in a clinical study at the UNC School of Medicine. The study tested the Bonebridge system, a bone conduction implant that, until then, had only been used in adults.
"Because their ear canals are not open, the bone conduction hearing aid vibrates their skull, delivering sound to their inner ear," Dr. Guenther said. "It's a remarkably efficient way of hearing."
Kenzie became the first child in the United States to receive the Bonebridge device as part of a clinical trial at UNC. Lilly received hers a few months after.
"They did very well when they got these new devices," Dr. Guenther said. "We really saw a significant improvement in their confidence, in their ability to answer questions."
Their mom said it has been amazing seeing them become more independent.
Both girls are now learning at or above grade level and thriving socially.
"My friends talking to me," Kenzie said when asked what she loves hearing most through her Bonebridge.
When asked how school is going, Lily said: "Really good."
"It's a big thumbs up," Kenzie added.
The Fergusons say they're proud to be part of a study that could help more children access the life-changing technology.
