Broken Wings - III-

"Click...Clack...Click...Clack..."

Renfro ignored the sound of her heels on the tile as she focused on the door ahead of her. Pushing her way through, she entered the elaborately decorated gray/blue room. The room had short grayish carpet with a few functional yet comfortable chairs all facing one direction. Covered by a one-way mirror, the wall that the chairs faced looked into the medical room on the other side. Usually, this is where she would bring potential or current backers to give them demonstrations or updates. Today, she was alone. She didn't want anyone else witnessing this meeting.

Another door opened and a male Asian doctor in his mid to late forties came in. Renfro extended her hand in greeting.

"Doctor, it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

The Doctor nodded as Renfro motioned to the chairs.

"Please have a seat. As you know, we have asked you here because we have heard that you are the best in the field of audiology. Your research and tests have been extensive and ground breaking to say the least. We hope that you will be able to aid us with our...small problem. I have your report but why don't you give me a summary of what you have learned."

"The child's condition is a very unusual one. It is hard to say what has caused it."

Renfro nodded. The Doctor continued.

"From the information that you gave me, I assume that the child has an extraordinarily high level of frontal lobe activity that has been increasing from birth."

Again, she nodded.

"This has been another area in which I have done some study. The frontal lobe usually develops from the age of six months to twenty years. It develops gradually in small intervals and influences various abilities as I have outlined in my report. Since this child has accelerated development in this area, it is possible that other areas of his body have been neglected as the body focuses on this one area."

"So, how would this cause a hearing loss?"

"It is possible that the part of the ear called the cochlea has been partially ossified, or hardened which results in the hearing loss. As the body is putting all of its resources into the frontal lobe, it is drawing them away from the cochlea."

"What are our options?"

"The best option that I can see would be a cochlear implant. There has been much progress in this area over the past twenty years. The first part of the process would involve the insertion of the Implant permanently into the bone behind the ear. An electrode array would be inserted into the cochlea itself and there would be a reference electrode on the outside of the skin behind his ear."

"How noticeable would this be?"

"In the late twentieth century, it would have been a few inches long and rather noticeable. Now, with sufficient resources, it is possible to make one so thin that it can be concealed in a "skin patch" and no one will ever know."

"And the operation?"

"Less than two hours with a 99.89% cumulative survival rate."

"What happens after the operation?

"Considering that the boy already speaks, not too much. You will need to arrange some speech therapy to adapt him to the difference of the sounds as affected by the implant. Other than that, there should be nothing unusual."

"When can you start?"

"You are sure about this? I have listed the fees involved both for the implant and my services."

"Secrecy is of the utmost importance on this project."

"My Hippocratic Oath prevents me from divulging anything about this patient to anyone including my own family.

"Good. See that it does. You will stay with us until I am satisfied with the results of this procedure."

"There are some things that I must take care of..."

"Doctor, this is your priority now. You see to it that this operation is a success and that fee schedule you have outlined will be doubled."

"And if the operation fails?"

Renfro looked at him with steely eyes. "See that it doesn't." With that, she turned to exit the room leaving the Doctor staring after her.