Good Health Report: Cochlear implant helps pediatric Noonan syndrome patient with hearing loss
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HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Sophia received something pretty special on her birthday: The gift of sound. She was diagnosed with Noonan syndrome , a genetic condition that affects development across many parts of her body. “They call it the most common rare disease,” Sophia’s mother said. Every patient is different. It can affect the heart, the ears, and the kidneys. Sophia, who is profoundly deaf, has a team of doctors at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. “It’s just a lot of preventative measures that we take with the team, which is why it’s great that everybody here knows her situation,” Sophia’s mother said. Rena Levy is Sophia’s pediatric audiologist and Cochlear implant coordinator. Sophia had the electronic devices surgically implanted to stimulate her auditory nerve. “We have been able to measure responses through audiology testing, showing that Sophia now has significantly improved auditory access as compared to when she had her hearing aids or without any amplification,” Levy said. Children can receive a cochlear implant as young as 9 to 12 months old. Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.