At first glance, Edward “Teddy” Sloane seems like any other energetic 10-year-old.
He loves baseball, running, and hanging out with friends. But for most of his life, Teddy was quietly battling a condition that made everyday sounds harder to hear—and school and sports harder to navigate.
Teddy was born with a congenital cholesteatoma, a rare growth in the middle ear that can damage hearing over time. “I noticed I couldn’t hear as well as my friends, especially when people weren’t facing me or when it was noisy,” said Teddy.
His parents first noticed something was wrong when he was a toddler. “They told me I wasn’t talking much, and I screamed instead,” said Teddy. Doctors initially thought it was fluid in his ears, but a specialist eventually diagnosed the cholesteatoma. Teddy underwent multiple surgeries, including a procedure to repair his eardrum and hearing bones using a titanium implant.
According to Teddy’s doctor, Kevin Peng MD, a neurotologist (ear surgeon) at PIH Health House Clinic, early treatment is critical. “Cholesteatoma is not a tumor, but it can be destructive if left untreated,” Dr. Peng explained. “In children, it can interfere with hearing, speech development, and learning. Surgery allows us to remove the growth and, when possible, restore hearing.”
Before surgery, Teddy struggled to hear certain sounds and often had ringing in his ear. “I couldn’t hear letters like F or S very well, and I had trouble hearing my teacher,” he said. “I used to say ‘what?’ a lot, and people thought I wasn’t paying attention.”
After surgery, Teddy had to sit out from sports while he healed, which was especially hard for a kid who loves baseball. But the results were worth it. “Now I can hear my teacher clearly,” he said. “I even hear my dog’s different barks. Everything sounds sharper.” Teddy’s advice to other kids facing surgery? “Don’t be scared. The doctors are really nice, and it helps you feel better in the end.”
Today, Teddy is back on the field hearing clearly, playing hard, and excited for what’s next.
For more information about cholesteatoma or other inner ear conditions, go to PIHHealth.org/HouseClinic
