Why Are Elana Myers’ Kids Deaf? (2026)

By David Thompson · January 21, 2025

Why Are Elana Myers’ Kids Deaf? Understanding Hearing Loss in Context—Not Just Cause, But Care

When people search why are elana myers kids deaf, they’re often not just asking about genetics—they’re seeking reassurance, clarity, and a roadmap. Elana Myers Taylor, Olympic bobsledder and advocate, and her husband, fellow Olympian Cory Myers, have two sons who are Deaf. Their story has brought visibility to congenital hearing loss—but also sparked widespread confusion, misinformation, and well-intentioned yet harmful assumptions. This article cuts through stigma with clinical accuracy, developmental science, and lived experience. We’ll explain the confirmed cause (a known autosomal recessive genetic variant), clarify what ‘deaf’ means in modern audiology and Deaf culture, and—most importantly—equip you with actionable, AAP- and NCHAM-endorsed strategies to support any child with hearing differences from day one.

The Genetic Reality: It’s Not Rare—It’s Rooted in Biology, Not Blame

Elana and Cory Myers’ sons were born with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to a pathogenic variant in the GJB2 gene—the most common genetic cause of nonsyndromic congenital deafness worldwide. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), GJB2-related deafness accounts for up to 50% of all autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss in many populations. Both Elana and Cory are carriers—meaning each passed one copy of the altered gene to their children. Carriers have normal hearing and no health implications; it’s only when two carriers have a child that there’s a 25% chance per pregnancy of the child inheriting two copies and being Deaf.

This isn’t the result of illness, trauma, or environmental exposure—it’s inherited biology. And crucially, it’s not preventable through prenatal care or lifestyle choices. Yet many parents searching this phrase carry quiet guilt or shame. Dr. Anu Sharma, a neuroscientist and hearing researcher at the University of Colorado, emphasizes: “Genetic hearing loss is not a failure of parenting. It’s a variation in human neurodevelopment—one that, with early access to language, leads to full cognitive, social, and academic outcomes.”

What matters far more than ‘why’ is ‘what next?’ And the answer starts long before diagnosis—with newborn screening.

From Screening to Sign: The Critical First 6 Months

In the U.S., over 97% of newborns undergo universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) before 1 month of age. If a baby doesn’t pass, diagnostic testing (ABR and OAE) must occur by 3 months—and intervention must begin by 6 months. This timeline isn’t arbitrary. It’s based on decades of neuroscience: the brain’s auditory cortex is most plastic between birth and 3.5 years. Without consistent, high-quality language input—spoken or signed—the neural pathways for language processing literally reorganize, impacting literacy, executive function, and social cognition.

Elana and Cory chose American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language from birth—a decision backed by robust research. A landmark 2022 longitudinal study published in Pediatrics followed 128 Deaf children from birth to age 9. Those exposed to fluent ASL before 6 months scored within the average range on standardized language assessments at age 5—while those with delayed sign exposure lagged significantly, even with cochlear implants later.

Here’s what early intervention looks like in practice:

Weeks 1–4: Confirm diagnosis, connect with Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) program, meet with pediatric audiologist and Deaf mentor.
Month 2: Begin weekly home-based services with a Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) trained in both spoken language and ASL development.
Month 3–4: Family ASL immersion—start with 20+ high-frequency signs (eat, milk, hurt, more, all done) and use them consistently with eye contact and facial grammar.
Month 5–6: Evaluate candidacy for amplification (hearing aids) or cochlear implants—only after language foundation is underway. Implants are tools—not cures—and require intensive auditory-verbal therapy if used.

Deaf Culture, Identity, and the Power of Linguistic Belonging

Many parents assume ‘deaf’ means ‘broken’—something to fix. But Deaf communities worldwide view deafness not as a deficit, but as a cultural and linguistic identity rooted in shared language (ASL), history, values, and visual ways of being. Elana Myers has spoken openly about how raising Deaf sons shifted her understanding of success: “They’re not ‘overcoming’ deafness. They’re thriving *as* Deaf people—with full access, full rights, and full joy.”

This perspective is clinically validated. Research from Gallaudet University shows Deaf children with Deaf parents (and thus native ASL exposure) have stronger self-esteem, lower rates of anxiety and depression, and higher graduation rates than Deaf children with hearing parents—even when both groups use cochlear implants. Why? Because language access = cognitive access = emotional security.

That doesn’t mean spoken language is off-limits. Bilingual-bimodal approaches (ASL + speech) are increasingly supported—especially when families commit to daily, joyful, pressure-free practice. But the foundation must be visual language first. As Dr. Carol Padden, linguist and Deaf studies scholar, states: “ASL isn’t a ‘backup plan.’ It’s the first language—the one that builds the brain’s language architecture. Everything else grows from that soil.”

Supporting Your Child’s Development: Tools, Timelines, and Truths

Raising a Deaf or hard-of-hearing child requires coordination across medical, educational, and community systems. Below is a practical, evidence-informed care timeline—based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM), and the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH).

Milestone Age	Key Action	Who Leads It	Why It Matters
Newborn–1 Month	Universal newborn hearing screen (OAE/ABR)	Hospital staff / EHDI coordinator	Identifies hearing differences before language windows close.
1–3 Months	Diagnostic audiology evaluation + genetic counseling referral	Pediatric audiologist + genetic counselor	Confirms type/severity of loss and informs recurrence risk for future pregnancies.
3–6 Months	Enrollment in Early Intervention (Part C) + start of ASL exposure	State EI program + TOD / Deaf mentor	Builds neural language pathways during peak brain plasticity.
6–12 Months	Family ASL fluency goal: 50+ signs + consistent turn-taking	Parent + TOD + Deaf community members	Early signing predicts stronger vocabulary, narrative skills, and theory of mind at age 3.
12–24 Months	IEP/IFSP review + transition planning to preschool	Special education team + parents + Deaf adult consultants	Ensures access accommodations (interpreters, FM systems, visual schedules) are embedded early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Elana Myers’ sons deaf because of something that happened during pregnancy?

No. Their deafness is genetic—not caused by infection, medication, or complications during pregnancy. It results from inheriting two copies of a recessive GJB2 gene variant—one from each parent. Neither Elana nor Cory experienced hearing loss themselves, but both are healthy carriers—a common occurrence affecting ~3% of the general population.

Do Elana Myers’ sons use cochlear implants or hearing aids?

Public records and interviews indicate they do not use cochlear implants or hearing aids. The Myers family has chosen a visual language-first approach centered on American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf cultural connection. This is a valid, evidence-supported pathway—not a ‘rejection’ of technology, but an intentional choice aligned with their values and their children’s linguistic needs.

Can Deaf children learn to speak? Is speech therapy recommended?

Yes—many Deaf children develop spoken language, especially with early amplification and intensive auditory-verbal therapy. However, speech outcomes vary widely and depend on factors like age of intervention, consistency of therapy, and neural responsiveness. Crucially, speech development should never delay or replace accessible language acquisition. The AAP states: “All Deaf and hard-of-hearing children must have full, natural language access—whether signed, spoken, or both—by 6 months of age.”

How can I find Deaf mentors or ASL classes for my family?

Start with your state’s Early Intervention program—they’re required to connect families with Deaf mentors. Nationally, organizations like the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Hands & Voices, and local Deaf clubs offer free or low-cost ASL classes, playgroups, and family workshops. Avoid ‘baby sign’ apps marketed for hearing babies; instead, seek curricula grounded in authentic ASL linguistics (e.g., ASL That Works, Start ASL, or university-affiliated programs).

Is genetic testing recommended for other family members?

Yes—especially for siblings, cousins, and future pregnancies. Carrier testing for GJB2 is simple (saliva or blood test) and covered by most insurance plans. A genetic counselor can interpret results, discuss recurrence risks (25% per pregnancy for carrier couples), and explore reproductive options like IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-M). Importantly: carrier status does not affect hearing, health, or lifespan.

Common Myths About Childhood Deafness—Debunked

Myth #1: “If a child is Deaf, they can’t develop age-appropriate language.”
False. With early, consistent access to a fully accessible language—ASL—Deaf children hit the same language milestones as hearing peers. Brain imaging studies confirm identical neural activation patterns for ASL and spoken language in native signers.

Myth #2: “Cochlear implants ‘cure’ deafness and restore normal hearing.”
No. Cochlear implants are prosthetic devices that convert sound into electrical signals—bypassing damaged hair cells. They require years of intensive therapy, don’t replicate natural hearing, and outcomes vary significantly. Many Deaf adults choose not to implant—and thrive without it. The World Health Organization now defines successful intervention as language access and communication equity, not auditory normalization.

Your Next Step Starts Today—With One Sign

Learning why are elana myers kids deaf matters—but what changes lives is knowing what to do next. You don’t need to master ASL overnight. You don’t need to make permanent decisions today. You just need to begin: learn one sign—more, please, or love—and use it with full attention, eye contact, and warmth. That tiny act builds neural connections, communicates belonging, and honors your child’s right to language. Reach out to your state’s Early Intervention program this week. Attend a Deaf-led parent group. Watch a free ASL storytime video together. Small, consistent actions compound into profound developmental impact. Your child isn’t waiting for perfection—they’re ready for connection. Start there.