It was supposed to be a routine checkup for five-year-old Thomas Curtis of Kyle, who was about to start kindergarten. But what his family was told was devastating – that Travis was fine except for nearly total hearing loss that, in the words of his grandfather Thomas Gunn, “probably couldn’t be fixed with a hearing aid.”
“We just assumed his lack of attention when being talked to by teachers and family was a normal five-year-old’s rebuke of authority,” Gunn said.
“Maybe it’s just an act of medical technology, or maybe not. The Curtis family certainly believes the 100 percent restoration of this happy child’s hearing was performed by a higher authority.”
–Thomas Gunn, grandfather of child whose hearing was restored
Further testing revealed Thomas’ inner ear was working perfectly, but his hearing was blocked, possibly by fluids. That diagnosis prompted the family to pray and for Thomas’ Dad, Allen, to even take time off work in order to be more closely involved in his son’s treatment and healing.
“Anesthetics and surgery, especially for a five-year-old, has risk and is somewhat terrifying for family,” Gunn said. The surgery was performed at the Hays Surgery Center on Sept. 6.
“Surrounded by prayer and love of the family, including Thomas’ brother from San Antonio and an aunt all the way from Chicago, Thomas arrived into post-op hugging Pablo, his favorite stuffed bear,” he continued.
As Thomas came out from under the influence of the anesthetics, he was peppered with questions. “Can you hear?” “How does it feel to hear?”
Everyone held their breath, Gunn said, as Thomas gave no immediate answer. Finally, he put both hands over his ears and responded, “It’s too loud!”
“Maybe it’s just an act of medical technology, or maybe not,” the boy’s grandfather said. “The Curtis family certainly believes the 100 percent restoration of this happy child’s hearing was performed by a higher authority.”
