Raise Your Hand

User Stories

Susan B
Downers Grove, Illinois
I have had a progressive hearing loss since (I think) high school. I started wearing hearing aids while in college. I had my hearing tested as a result of taking a yoga class and not being able to hear to get into meditation. At that time I had approximately 40 Db loss. Over many years my hearing loss progressed to the point where I was hearing less and less and was less able to use the telephone successfully. In October of 2006 I was implanted with a Nucleus Freecom Cochlear Implant. I can now hear in situations where I never could before, such as at a lecture. I can also understand people with foreign accents which I had great difficulty with before. I can hear and understand conversations which are going on behind me--which I never could before. I expect my hearing to further improve over the next year.

Carol B
Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin
Several years ago a social worker from a local Senior Center asked me to visit one of her clients who was struggling with severe hearing loss. She was recently widowed and had lost the "hearing support" of her husband. The active 80+ year old woman became isolated by her deafness. She was no longer able to travel alone, use the telephone, or participate her community and family life. She was encouraged to get a cochlear implant, but she was terrified of possible assumed risks and uncertain about whether the device would be right for her. She had not talked with anyone who had a cochlear implant. I met with this lady, her daughter in law and the social worker. She was amazed at what a difference the cochlear implant made in my life and how easy it was for me to communicate. I was able to relieve her concerns and answer questions about the process. About six months later I learned this lady did indeed receive the Nucleus Freedom implant and is doing very well with it. She has traveled alone to Colorado to visit her son and family there - something she had not done since she became a widow. The cochlear implant has made a huge impact on her ability to remain independent. I have had my cochlear implant over 10 years and chose to become bilateral three years ago. These cochlear implants have given me my own life back!

Carol B
Spring Lake Park, Minnesota
Shortly after I received my cochlear implant I talked to my neighbor Carol at a craft show. She was so happy to know that my hearing had been restored. She told me that she knew a little 3 year old girl,who lived in the state of Virginia who had been born deaf.She said that she was going to share my story with the girls parents. As it tunrned out, the family was familiar with the cochlear implant. They had not yet made the decision to follow through with the implant. After hearing my story though they decided to pursue it. Ann was implanted on August 26,1997, exactly one year after my surgery. With the devoted attention of her parents Ann made great progress. The summer after she recived her cochlear implant, I had the pleasure of meeting Ann, her Dad and her Grandma in thier home town of Minnesota. At that time her Dad told me,"The eloquence of some sounds that she can produce is a pleasure to listen to and some of the sounds that she responds to,I am not sure that I can hear." Two years ago I again had the pleasure to be with Ann.I was amazed at how well she could hear and speak. Just this week I saw Ann's Grandma when we were shopping for plants for our gardens. She told me that Ann will be coming to stay with her in August and that we will get together again.I can't wait! Ann will be celebrating her 10th Cochlear imlant anniversary.

Carol B
Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin
On May 17th I joined several Cochlear Awarness Volunteers in IL to make choclate ears! The "ears" were taken to my local audiologist's offfice for him to share. I also left 50 brochures, "When Hearing Aids are not enough" in his office lobby area. My plans are to visit 5 more audiologist practices with this unique awareness material! I am attempting to reach out to as many individuals and organizations that I can. I have an interview with a local cable channel scheduled for later this month. The broadcast discussing cochlear implants and my experience, will be aired in Stoughton, WI. More to come. I have RAISED MY HAND - I proudly wear my bracelet and display my bumper sticker! Carol

Carol B
Downers Grove, Illinois
I have had progressive hearing loss since high school. I had my hearing tested because of a Yoga class. The teacher called a meditation period and I did not comprehend. At the time my hearing had aproximatly a 40 Db loss. I started wearing hearing aids in college. Over the years my hearing loss progressed. It declined to a point where I couldn't comprehend voices over the telephone. In October, 2006 I recieved a Nucleus Freecom Cochlear Implant. Now, I can hear lectures and similar correspondances clearly. Understanding people with foreign accents used to be difficult for me; now I can understand. I can even hear and understand conversations spoken behind me. I expect my hearing to further improve over the next year. Having the ability to hear has made a tremendous impact on my life!

Dale S
Bellbrook, Ohio
Dale S speaks to the Wilmington Rehab center in Ohio about hearing loss and cochlear implants. Dale S. resides in Bellbrook, Ohio and is a Freedom upgrade recipient. Have been volunteering since February 2006.

Tommie W
Dallas, Texas
Tommie W. speaks about hearing loss at the girls teen summit in Dallas, TX

Connie J
Ohio
Connie J. of Ohio shows her support for 'Raise Your Hand' every time she drives with a license plate and bumper sticker.

Mary S

I was at Target earlier and saw something on sale that I was interested in. But I couldn't tell if this home accent was an outdoor or indoor item. I saw that there was a clerk close by so I walked up to her and started talking to her. Of course!!!!! She didn't hear me but I saw that she saw me out of the corner of her eye as I got closer. She turned around and signed, I'm sorry!" and then she said in a whisper, "I'm deaf!" Whoa, Target now hires hearing impaired people? It has come a very long way since I was a young person because I couldn't get a store to hire me, no matter what! Anyway, making sure she could see my lips, I said, "Oh okay! I was asking if this is an indoor or outdoor item?" And she replied that she didn't know. So I thanked her, and said, "By the way, I am deaf too when I don't have my implant on. Have you ever thought about getting a cochlear implant?" She said she wasn't interested, and I said that I was sorry to hear that as having a cochlear implant opened up career opportunities for me, and it might for you as well. I did give her one of those contact cards so who knows? There! I raised my hand!

Ida, Sylvia, and Barbara
San Antonio, Texas
Ida Rose S., Sylvia L. & Barbara H. at the San Antonio Jr. College Open House in conjunction with the school's Sign Language Department held, May 4th in San Antonio, TX. We had a great time meeting everyone and talking/showing the pamphlets on the FREEDOM and Better Hearing Information.

Irene J
Hampshire, Illinois
Irene Johnston is 89 year old woman from Belgium who lives in Hampshire, IL. She is a widow and lives on her own. Since Irene doesn't drive, so she counts on neighbors to take her to church and run errands. Although she has a strong accent and talks loudly, she becomes very quiet-because when the local ladies group goes to dinner since she can't follow the conversation in a restaurant. A few weeks ago, I sat next to Irene and my neighbor, Pat Lehman, at church. I noticed she wasn't following along with the readings and that Pat had to point to the missal in church so she'd know what was being read on the altar. After church, I was chatting with Irene and found out that she lost some of her hearing many years ago when she worked in a factory. At the time, she tried hearing aids, but they didn't help, so she sent them back. Over the years, her hearing loss has progressively gotten worse and now she can't afford hearing aids. I called my local audiologist and told her about Irenes' situation. She told me that if Irene had Medicare, that both that visit and the audiologist tests would be covered. I knew that Irene had Medicare from working in the factory, but could not afford aids. The audiogram showed that Irene has lost much of her high pitches and her median pitches have dropped slightly and that she would do well with hearing aids. I remembered that I had two hearing aids at home that I used before I received a cochlear implant that could be remolded to help Irene. I asked my friend Pat to talk to the local Lions Club in order to find out whether they were willing to consider paying for the remolding of my aids for Irene. The audiologist is writing up the report and a letter detailing cost to be sent to our local Lions Club. Irene is thrilled at the prospect of hearing better again.

Val B
Altoona, Alabama
I have to raise both hands since I have two deaf children. One is bilateral the the other unilateral,both wearing Freedom processors. I took out an ad in small local newspaper announcing Better Speech & Hearing Month and sent 500 copies of a letter I wrote out to my son's entire elementary school citing the warning signs of hearing loss and what to do should they suspect problems. I also posted topics on the subject on three different forums encouraging them all to do as I had already done and send emails to all their friends and family stating how hearing loss had touched their family and give the warning signs of hearing loss and what to do if they suspect a problem. Then encourage those people to forward the message. Oh yea, I also had my daughter implanted this month for the second time...we've been busy as usual spreading the word, and practicing what we preach. Love those implants!!!!!

Barb W
Fairview Park, Ohio
Judy, my sister, and I always ran races together, but we had a great deal of trouble talking before I recieved the Cochlear Implant. Now, we have a great time running together while listening to music using the cords for the CI and my MP3.

Jason W
Middletown, New York
I was diagnosed with hearing loss in 1994, during the end of my sophomore year in college. I was an ROTC cadet at Tulane University in New Orleans. I had gotten a slot to jump school (Airborne) at Fort Benning, GA. I had to take another physical at the MEPCOM center on the north side of town. Being a young healthy college student/cadet in New Orleans, failing the hearing test was the last thing I thought I would have to worry about or would hold me back. Well, it did. High frequency loss. Not enough that it had begun interfering with my social or educational communications or interactions, but enough to throw up the red flag to the US Army. I received a medical discharge shortly thereafter. I went back to Kentucky to finish school in-state at the University of Kentucky. I finished in two more years. No real, perceptible loss was apparent. I had continued to see different otolaryncologists and fail the hearing tests in the same way. No real degradation. Until 1999. I had transferred to Chicago and with my job and had begun working nights. I was working linehaul dispatch for a major trucking company and spent much of my nights on the phones and over the radio. I began having a more difficult time hearing over the phone. It began really affecting my work. I went to my otolaryncologist at the time and got fitted for hearing aids. This was the beginning of a six year struggle with an array of different models, brands, sizes, and types or hearing aids. My hearing continued to deteriorate. Finally, after those frustrating six years, a new wife, and baby girl later, I was fortunate enough to see an otolaryncologist/neurologist/audiologist group that noted my candidacy for cochlear implantation. I had transferred again with the same company to Connecticut. I was missing out on too much in life, on the job, and with my new family. I shuddered with fear at not hearing my daughterï¿½s first words or the first time she said, "Daddy!". I underwent the surgery in August of 2005 and received my Nucleus Freedom implant. I was mapped and fitted just after Labor Day, six weeks later. Next to my wife and children, it has been the greatest thing in my life. My hearing has literally been restored. I am proud to say that I have been at 100% on every one of the hearing tests I've had after the implantation. Not having been born or gone through much of my life deaf or hearing-impaired, I knew exactly what I was missing. I can honestly say, my Nucleus Freedom implant has helped me regain every single bit of it! And now, not a week seems to go by that someone doesn't approach me or ask about "that thing on my head". I am absolutely thrilled to tell others about it and the advances Cochlear is making. It's hard to stop talking to someone about the unbelievable clarity and overall ability to hear. Only the next person in line at the store, the fact that their table for the restaurant has been called, or the line of traffic is being held up for too long cuts the conversation short! But with the contact cards and awareness information in hand, I am thankful that now the conversation will never end!!!

Debra E
Moundville, Alabama
I'm hard of hearing. When I was in first grade, I always sat in the front of the class. This made it easier for me to understand what my elementary teacher was saying. Some other teather's didn't take the time to work with me. When I entered the 5th grade, I started wearing my first hearing aid. I wore it for the duration of high school. Upon my completion of high school at ASD Alabama School for the deaf in Talladega, Ala., I went to a Rehab center. They advised me to wear two hearing aids. Now, I am wearing the cochlear implant. All I could say after getting the implant was "Wow". To me it is amazing!! In the past I could never hear birds singing outside, some one walking behind me, or someone sleeping. I also had trouble figuring out what turn signal corresponded to left and right. My hearing aid sounded like a constant heart beat in my ear. I believe that the hearing aid is a weak device - it did not help me. The cochler implant on the other hand had doen wonders for my hearing. I love it.

Maureen C
Leonardville, Kansas
I grew up with exceptionally good hearing, hearing things that most people could not. I awoke one morning, at age 43, with terrible tinnitus, and some minor loss in one ear. Over the course of the next few years I continued to lose hearing in both ears. I progressed through the three main types of hearing aids, in both ears, until my left ear began to distort sound. The sound distortion became so bad that it was useless to use an aid because I couldn't understand what I was hearing no matter how loud it was. Speech sounded as if it was coming through a kazoo. That left me with one ear that was hearing poorly, not well enough to do my job as a middle school science/social studies teacher. I had to sit out a semester while my school district and I figured out where to put me so that I could remain both employed and useful. We found a place for me where I could work with individual students, where I stayed five years, as things continued to deteriorate. It was at that point I qualified for bilateral cochlear implants... I HAVE MY LIFE BACK! I can't say that everything with my hearing is "normal"; I am, and will always be, hearing impaired. Without my speech processors, I am completely deaf. But, WITH my processors, I have a full time job in the school district that I love (as a library/media specialist), and am able to function normally in most situations. I no longer worry about being run down in parking lots because I can't hear what is coming up behind me...I can order through fast-food drive up windows...I can go to the movies...I use a cell phone. I can truly say that I have not let hearing loss destroy my life, nor my sense of purpose. My struggle has made me a better person, much more appreciative of the things I have in my life.

Dora W
Minnesota
Among her many great efforts, Dora used our sample pitch letter in her local community newspaper. It was published on Friday, May 11. See below: ++++++++++++++ Spring Lake Park Life May 11, 2007 To the Editor: Hearing loss affects approximately 1 in 10 Americans (28 million). Everyday in the United States, approximately 1 in 1,000 newborns (or 33 babies every day) is born profoundly deaf with another 2-3 out of 1,000 babies born with partial hearing loss, making hearing loss the number one birth defect in America. Despite these statistics, only 22 percent (6.35 million individuals) with hearing loss currently use any kind of hearing assisted device. The majority of people associate hearing loss with a stigma, instead preferring to just cope (via lip reading or nodding), or have little to no understanding of treatment options. May is Better Hearing and Speech Month and I am working to help raise awareness about hearing loss and treatment options. What many people donâ€™t know is that there are life-changing treatments, including cochlear implants which can help restore hearing for those with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. I have had hearing loss since age 12. I wore hearing aids and underwent several middle ear surgeries before becoming profoundly deaf at age 38. Ten years later I visited my local ENT center and was told about cochlear implants. Six months later I underwent cochlear implant surgery and my hearing was restored. I have now enjoyed wonderful hearing for 11 years. During these 11 years, I have worked to make the public aware of the cochlear implant. I will be sharing my story and distributing pamphlets at the McDonaldâ€™s restaurant 8124 Highway 65 N.E. May 11 from 9-11 a.m. Sincerely, Dora W.

Jackie F

As I walked in the grocery store one day in May, I spotted a young girl with earbuds in her ears listening to her ipod. She was with her Mom and sister. I smiled and winked at Mom and said to the girl, turn the sound down! She looked at me strange, of course. I told her it was better hearing month and handed her a bracelet. I told her I was deaf and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I showed her my speech processors and explained that I wore "bionic ears" or cochlear implants. She looked at her mom and said, "A girl in my class has one of those". I was so surprised that she even knew what it was! I asked the implant person's name. It turns out that it was Julie, a young girl I'd had the opportunity to meet on several occasions when I was a substitute in her class when she was in pre-school. Ironically, it was Julie who inspired me to look into getting an implant 5 years ago when I saw how well she did with her implant. Small world, isn't it?

Martha
Oregon
My main event for Raise your Hand for May was to give the Childrens Sermon at my church. I explained how hearing loss effects people of all ages. And how they (the children) can be hearing ambassadors for family and friends. And then passed out the bracelets.

Heidi L
NA, Colorado
Heidi Lervik took this picture during a recent trip to Costa Rica. ?I had a few of my friends show their spirit of May's Better Hearing & Speech month by Raising their Hands just before we hit the river to do some rafting.?

Tatia G
NA, Colorado
On Wednesday, May 16, I visited my daughter\'s kindergarten class for Show-n-Tell. It was at her request that we \"show off\" her sister and talk about her hearing device. How fortuitous given May as Better Hearing & Speech month. Consequently, I brought Rheis (age 2-implanted with Nucleus Freedom in Nov \'06, activated Jan \'07) and some of the Kaci Koala coloring books that I had left from the Communication Fair. My daughter talked about how Rheis couldn\'t hear at first but after her surgery she can. It was touching for me to know that big sister thinks about little sister so caringly. The kids loved the coloring books and everyone learned something about Better Hearing & Speech month from me. DJ Montague Elementary School--Ms. Cline\'s kindergarten class. *Finally, I shared an email campaign with family and friends about Better Speech & Hearing Month and Rheis\' progress. I included about 125 recipients...we\'ve been in touch with most of these folks at some point during Rheis\' diagnosis, surgery, recovery and progress. Copy of email below...included suggested text from the Cochlear Awareness resources. Please let me know if you need additional information on any of these items. All the best, Tatia~

Dora W
NA, Minnesota
I Raised My Hand In 1986, I became profoundly deaf in both ears. Along with the deafness, my tinnitus became worse. I awoke one morning and heard roaring like a lion and hissing like a boa constrictor in my ears. It never stopped. I started walking daily to ease my mind of the commotion. One morning I stopped at a local McDonalds. The friendly atmosphere and just sitting and watching people come and go calmed me. I began stopping there every day. The cashiers realized I was deaf and made ordering easier for me. This was a pleasant break in my day. During my period of deafness I made many friends. We communicated by writing notes on napkins. After 10 years I received the Cochlear Implant surgery. I continued my daily stop at McDonalds, only now I could engage in conversation. My friends and I no longer had to rely on written notes to communicate. I chose my neighborhood McDonalds to partner with me in raising awareness to deafness. The manager agreed; her nephew is deaf and she is aware of his struggles. On May 11, I raised my hand for awareness. I was dissapointed when the first person I approached did not wish to speak with me. I did not give up though and to my surprise the next individual I spoke with thanked me for the information. Her two-year-old grandson had meningitis; he was scheduled to receive an implant. I continued on my mission talking to people and handed out forty ?When Hearing Aids Are Not Enough? brochures in the course of two hours. For the most part everyone was very grateful for my advice and information. I am glad I chose to Raise My Hand to help raise awareness to deafness and available treatments to my community. Sincerely, Dora Weber Dora has continued to raise awareness for all of her community and extended organizations. She has spoken at the Minnesota Department of Human Relations Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Advisory Board, as well as at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and school. Doara's story was printed in her hometown newspaper, "Pelican Rapids". Dora has stepped up to a challenge to raise awareness of the Cochlear Implant, her experiences and many life-changing stories.

Lois J
NA, Texas
Yesterday HLAA of Houston had a fantastic workshop for Better Speech and Hearing Month presented by Dr. Sam Trychin on Living with Hearing Loss. This event was how Maurice and I were sharing with our community our hearing loss and how we Raise our Hand for Better Hearing. After the workshop we went to Hickory Hollow Restaurant for barbeque and Raised our Hand for Better Hearing with Pat Gavin & The Buckaroo Band.

Kathy A
NA, Illinois
More Chocolate Ears! CAN St Louis (Kathy Allen & 7 Volunteers) rocked the NBC 5 Morning News June 8th with an interview and passing out Chocolate Ears. They got the Cochlear website announced and Cochlear signs proudly displayed. They were able to pass out 600+ chocolate ears! Way to go!! This picture is of our group and our signs outside of the studio...left to right: Gay Miller, Myself, Gayle (Angela Botz's Mother), Angela Botz, Debbie Jones & Courtney Graham. My mom was there but she took the pictures!

Tatia G
NA, Colorado
Thank you letter: Dear family and friends, You have been so kind and so supportive of us during our journey with Rheis' hearing loss that we wanted to share both an update on her progress as well as some useful information. Hearing loss is much more prevalent than we think. Please be aware of the best circumstances to help you to have healthy hearing. Did you know?: 1. Everyday in the US, approximately 1 in 1,000 newborns is born profoundly deaf, with another 2-3 of 1,000 babies born with partial hearing loss, making hearing loss the number one birth defect in America. 2. Most hearing losses develop over a period of 25 to 30 years, and the prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, up to 1 in 3 adults over age 65 experience it. 3. Among adults over 65, hearing loss is the third prevalent and treatable disabling condition, behind arthritis and hypertension. 4. While the 95% of Americans with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, only 25% currently use them. 5. There are amazing surgical and implantable hearing solutions available today that can really help As you know, our life has been impacted by hearing loss and we have taken action to not let this hearing loss impact the quality of life and ability to communicate within our family. May is Better Speech and Hearing Month and I am participating in an awareness effort called "raise your hand". If you have ever taken a hearing test yourself, you know that when you hear the tones in the headphones you raise your hand. When looking for solutions for Rheis' hearing loss, we "raised our hands" and did something about it. If you or someone you know is dealing with the far reaching effects of a hearing loss help them "raise their hand" for better hearing by directing them to www.raiseyourhand.info Here they can learn more about hearing loss and the solutions that are available today! As for Ms. Rheis, she is doing fabulously well! It's been 5 months since she was "turned on and her progress continues to amaze". She is saying several words, including "mama" and she understands so much of what we say to her. It's already obvious that she is going to talk circles around the rest of us--of course that was our prayer. We are now beginning to prepare for surgery number two. Most of the research supports the bilateral (two-sided) implant as the best means of creating a near-natural hearing environment. We will certainly keep you posted. Thanks again for all of your love and support...and, because you have us as a personal connection to hearing loss, continue to "raise your hand" for better hearing. Peace & Blessings, The Granger Family (Earl, Tatia, Rhyan & Rheis)