CCHAT Alumni Spotlight: Lilly

Brynn and Bryan Marotte’s son passed his newborn hearing screening. Five years later, he was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. 

This delay in diagnosis negatively impacted his ability to communicate and socialize as a young child. When Brynn gave birth to her second child, Lilly, she and her husband knew they needed to diligently get a clear, immediate answer regarding her hearing capabilities.

Now a fresh CCHAT alum, Lilly continues to show the power of early intervention for children with hearing loss, and her parents have been equipped with the tools to help both of their children navigate very different hearing loss journeys.

Empowering Two Children with Hearing Loss 

Unlike her brother, Lilly failed her newborn hearing screening. The Marottes learned that the hearing loss of their children was genetic, and they now had to work to find services for each child – services that would look quite different based on each child’s age and history.

“While arranging services for Lilly's brother, we met the school district’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher, who happened to be employed by CCHAT,” Brynn said. “During our discussion about her brother's needs, I mentioned that Lilly had failed her newborn screening. The teacher told me about CCHAT's Baby & Me program. I immediately contacted CCHAT to learn more, and the rest is history.”

Lilly joined CCHAT at just 3 months old. The Marottes were now immersed in a community full of valuable information to handle the hearing loss of both of their children. They also felt an immediate connection to the other families within the program, leaning on these parents as an invaluable support system.

The experience at CCHAT empowered the Marottes but also left them wondering “What if?” when it came to their son. 

“Because of Lilly's brother's late diagnosis, we could compare his experience with Lilly's early diagnosis and intervention,” Brynn said. “Once he was diagnosed, we had to rely on the limited resources provided by the school district, which were insufficient to compensate for his auditory/oral deprivation from birth. We can't help but think if her brother had received the same early diagnosis and treatment, he wouldn't have felt left behind as his peers advanced.”

Lilly Continues to Develop at CCHAT

The benefits of Lilly’s immediate diagnosis and speedy enrollment at CCHAT could be easily seen as she progressed through the program. She jumped from Baby & Me to CCHAT’s Toddler and Preschool classes, and those close to her quickly saw clear strides in her listening and spoken language development.

The Marottes saw the leaps and gains made by Lilly manifest in a variety of ways. 

“CCHAT provided Lilly with the resources and services needed for her auditory/oral skills to flourish,” Brynn said. “They also instilled in her the confidence to proudly wear her hearing aids, advocate for herself and educate others about her hearing aids.”

The Culmination of Early Intervention and Family Involvement

Thanks to her parents’ diligence, CCHAT’s comprehensive program and her own hard work, Lilly was ready to graduate from CCHAT and mainstream at age 5. In the fall of 2024, she joined the kindergarten class at her local school, sitting alongside her hearing peers.

The Marottes know there were many factors that played into Lilly’s success, but they cannot understate the importance of CCHAT’s role. 

“We are forever grateful for the CCHAT community and honored to be a part of it,” Brynn said. “CCHAT has educated us on many levels, from understanding the basics of hearing to reading an audiogram and equipping us with the knowledge to confidently advocate for our children in both medical and educational settings.”

Brynn and Bryan are also comforted in knowing that Lilly will not be forgotten by the CCHAT program. Thanks to CCHAT’s mainstream support system, Lilly will continue to receive consultations from CCHAT staff members who will ensure she is receiving the services and assistance she needs to succeed. 

“We know that we can reach out to anyone at CCHAT at any time for support,” Brynn said. “The friendships both Lilly and our family have formed with staff and families of CCHAT will continue to thrive even though we are no longer physically there on a daily basis.”