Hearing Aids

As a child, I always had a hearing problem, but as the years passed it got worse, and in the end I could not hear at all.

I turned out to be a very good lip reader, and ran a business with my late husband for forty years. Over the years I had tried various hearing aids with no success. About 25 years ago, a specialist came to Perth from America, and I was able to make an appointment to see him in Perth. After an examination he told my Husband that we were wasting our time, as I had nerve deafness and would never be able to hear. I was devastated, but he did say that I was marvellous to be able to lip read so well.

About three years ago, a friend told me about Prof Marcus Atlas at the (Ear Science Institute) at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth. I made an appointment to see him and after many tests I was finally fitted with hearing aids that had microchips in them. The first noise I heard was when I flushed a toilet, I didn’t know what the noise was as it was so loud, it startled me. When I went outside to meet my daughter and niece, I cried and danced, as I could hear them speaking. It was music to my ears. I was told by Prof. Atlas to only leave the hearing aids in for 3 hours a day until I got used to wearing them, but once I had them in, I wouldn’t take them out. I had to read aloud to myself for ½ hour a day, to get messages to my brain.

People could not believe that I could hear, as they had known me as a hearing impaired person for the whole of my life. Before I could hear I didn’t like to socialize, as I found it hard to lip read when there was a crowd and a lot of noise, but now it is a joy to go out and talk to people and have a conversation with them. I still cannot communicate on an ordinary telephone, but I have a phone especially for the hearing impaired, called a TTY phone which I use a lot.

I will always be indebted to my friend, and to Prof. Atlas who didn’t give up on me, and who have helped me gain my independence. The only thing I am sad about is that my late Husband never got to know that I can hear, and I never got to hear his voice.

I would like to let people know that if you have a hearing problem, never give up, go to the best specialist like I did, as the joy of hearing is indescribable.

    - Mary

Hi, my name is Karri and I want to tell you a story about myself and the wonderful people at the Lions Hearing Clinic.

About four years ago, age twenty two, I realised I couldn't detect where noise was originating. In other words, when someone called my name I had no idea where they were. I new dad had a hearing problem in one ear and he also had the same problem with zoning in on noise. We would call him from the back yard pool and he would look for us in the front yard.

Dad had what is called Otosclerosis, something he had inherited and was very prevalent among his siblings and ancestors on his mother's side. After having it checked and confirmed that I had it in one ear ` I thought there was no reason to do anything about it as my actual hearing wasn't too bad. I began a hair dressing apprenticeship and I never worried too much about it.

About nine months ago, I began to think that maybe my hearing was getting worse. My room mate (Ben) would comment that the T.V. was turned on too loud and I started to struggle to hear my clients properly at work. Ben accidentally locked himself outside in his underwear one day and I didn't hear him knocking to get back in. Needless to say, the neighbours were aghast and I finally got the motivation to have my hearing reassessed. It had regressed to the stage where I had to get other staff to talk to my customers because I was unable to hear what they wanted. I was in tears constantly and became a bit of a social recluse as I couldn't join in conversation (which for a hairdresser is not good).

I came to the Lions Hearing Clinic in utter despair. Audiologist Elle Chapman went out of her way to make me feel comfortable and positive about my deafness. After another hearing test and the confirmation that both my ears were significantly affected with otosclerosis, I was wondering how I would cope in the six weeks before being able to see the specialist Prof. Marcus Atlas about options and the possibility of an operation.

Without me having to ask, Elle had me sitting down saying "Okay, now we help you get through work etc until your appointment with Prof Atlas and if suitable later surgery."
She tried some hearing aids on me and the difference absolutely blew me away. All the noises I'd forgotten about, like the rustling of papers, my own footsteps, the indicator in my car, it made me realise how much I was missing out on. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I could not believe that those two little hearing aids could make such a difference. I was so happy I think I knocked Elle over while trying to hug her. The effort she had gone to for me was more than anyone could ask for and although she may have felt like she was just doing her job, the gift she gave me of being able to hear again was the most precious thing I had ever received. I emailed my best friend in London and told her that she was off the list and I had 2 new best friends, Lefty and Righty, my lovely aids.
What I have found interesting though is the different responses I have gotten since having them. Some people are extremely positive and excited by the fact that I can finally hear them and have a proper conversation again while others have said "you poor thing, how are you coping?" It never occurred to me once that it could be a negative thing for me and I wear my hearing aids with pride. I don't know what I would do without them and I'm so grateful that they were invented. So to anyone who wears them, I say this, we really are the lucky ones and have the best of both worlds because who else gets to switch off all noise when it gets a bit too much. It's brilliant!

There might be people who are a bit upset about having to wear hearing aids or are just going to get their first ones and think that it's a bit uncool and all that negative kind of stuff but just remember lots of people wear glasses for poor eyes we just happen to wear hearing aids for poor ears.

No need to worry what you look like, they make them so good nowadays they are just about undetectable and I think quite fashionable even for a hairdresser and part-time model.

So now I wait for my operation in September and want to thank the Lions Hearing Clinic and especially Elle for doing an outstanding job on a talkative hairdresser whose neighbours are happy they don't have to view strange men in underwear anymore.

Keep up the good work!!!!

    - Karri

"I am 25 years old and I have been partially deaf in both ears since I was born. I am currently working as a library clerk at the Music and Performing Arts Library, State Library of WA and I am hoping to attend university to obtain an Arts Management degree.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me. The aids that you have kindly donated have more features than my old ones and enhance my hearing experience so to speak! I would not have been able to purchase such a high quality aid in my normal circumstance and I feel very blessed to receive such a gift. The gift of these aids has improved my life in many ways."

    - Lisa

"My work as an Environmental Consultant requires me to routinely attend meetings at industrial and construction sites, where there is significant background noise from the operation of heavy machinery. I often found it difficult to follow meetings and it can be stressful and essentially unprofessional to have to ask people to repeat things more than once. With the hearing aid device I can now easily follow what is being said in meetings, and I find myself not only enjoying work more but I am contributing more with my ideas and opinions.

I am also experiencing the benefits within our general office environment. Previously I would not tend to participate in general office discussions as it would require me to get up from my desk or move my chair closer. I can now hear clearly and precisely from my desk, and am consequently finding work a more relaxing and social place. I realise now that a lot of what I couldn't hear was about our different projects and problems and solutions encountered with them. As a result of the hearing aid both the quality of my work is improving and so is my working relationships with my colleagues."

    - Sasha (27 yrs)

"Since changing from the "in the ear" hearing aids to my new Savia "behind the ear" aids, I have found that my ability to engage in conversation has increased dramatically.

In the past I was constantly asking people to repeat themselves, which was irritating to both parties; - but now I can follow the conversation with ease! My family have noticed a big difference in me too. Where I used to withdraw from conversation in large groups - I am now able to join in and hear what's going on around me.

Background noise is far less intrusive as the aids automatically control the surrounding sounds, and no longer do I have the hearing aids whistling in my ears. In fact I find that I am much less aware of wearing hearing aids at all."

    - Bert

Cochlear Implants

"In July 2003 my youngest sister mentioned to me about the "cochlear implant" and suggested I go and see if I would be able to have one. It took her a while to convince me to at least see about it. After the initial appointment with the audiologist, a cat scan and a visit to Professor Atlas, I was advised that I was a candidate for cochlear. I went on the internet and read many stories from people who had had the operation and found myself warming to the idea that it was really worth having.

In November 2003 I was booked to have the operation. I myself had absolutely no problems with the operation or any side effects. Three weeks after, I went along to be "switched on". I have been nervous many times in my life, and this day was definitely one of them. After going through the mapping process which took nearly 1.5 hours, it was time! Initially I was shocked as I heard strange noises which seemed to be in my head. But after a little while I heard the audiologist and my sister speak. They sounded strange, but I could hear them. We left to go home. On the way my sister's mobile phone rang in the back of the car and I heard it. Normally I would not have been able to. This is good I thought.

A couple of days later, back for more mapping. I was definitely hearing better, the brain was getting used to new sounds. Over the next few weeks more mapping and hearing so much better. I started to use the phone with family members and listening to the radio in the car. I was getting so confident with the phone that I did not hesitate to answer it. It had been twenty years since I had actually had a conversation with anyone on the phone.

I have had the implant now for just on two years and honestly don't know how on earth I managed before. People have told me I am a different person, more independent, confident, happier and laughing all the time. It is wonderful to hear that funny comment, hear someone speak or call me from another room, watch the television without asking what was said, hearing all my old favourite songs that I used to dance to, being able to answer people confidently because I know what was asked instead of guessing what was said. Best of all = there is no more whistling of hearing aids which I know used to drive people up the wall.

The cochlear has taken a lot of pressure off my wonderful husband, daughters and other members of my family. They are more relaxed because I am, happier because I am. I do not have to rely on them to answer the phone and speak on my behalf.

The post-operative counselling has been absolutely superb. I would thoroughly recommend the cochlear implant. A "whole new world" is waiting for many people who are in the position I was in 3 years ago."

    - Julie

"Born profoundly deaf due to rubella, I was brought up totally orally; and lipread and speak fluently. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in geology at UWA, I worked at various gold mines in the Western Australian outback, before working at a Perth mining consultancy and subsequently setting up my own consultancy business. Little did I know the frustrations and setbacks I would face in my professional career!

Prospective employers ran a mile when they heard about my deafness. Socially I tended to avoid group conversations, as they were too difficult to follow. Conversations were repeated frequently, as I had difficulty understanding people the first time.

I had heard about the cochlear implant during the 1980's, but was initially told that it was not suitable for my congenital deafness. However, my fiancé's family knew of a cochlear implant recipient in Switzerland, and encouraged me to have some initial tests. I was an ideal candidate for a cochlear implant!

I decided to take the big step, and still vividly remember my nervousness and apprehension while waiting to go into theatre. The switch-on 10 days later was a very moving experience. The sound felt like it came from within the body, rather than the external, dull, muted sound I had become so accustomed to with my BTE hearing aids. One of my first 'new' sounds I heard upon leaving the audiologist's rooms was the crunch of my footsteps on the loose bitumen surface of the car park. I had to stop and marvel at this sound, as I had never heard it before!

More enthralling sounds awaited me when I got home. My dog came and greeted me enthusiastically at the door. However, the sound of her toenails trotting on the floorboards was not very pleasant! There was a squeak in the pantry door; I heard my mobile phone and the cake timer for the first time, also water gurgling down the drain and my cat meowing at me.

Two years on, I am now learning to hear conversation over the telephone, which I could not have dreamt of previously. Other sounds that I really appreciate are the cicadas chirping at night, and understanding what people are saying behind me. However, my biggest appreciation of the implant comes from simply understanding speech better, through being able to hear 's', 'sh', 'z', and 'ch' sounds which I had not heard previously. Sound now is far crisper, more melodic, and through a wider spectrum.

My family and friends have commented that my voice now sounds more melodic, instead of the dull monotonous voice pre-implantation that they were used to.

The world can certainly be a noisy place. However it is far better to be part of it and to appreciate life's various sounds rather than being isolated in a world of lonely silence!"

    - Fleur (no.1)

"I was on a plane flight from Darwin to Perth in December of last year. Being tired, I nodded off to sleep after the lunch meal in order to recharge my batteries. All of a sudden, in the midst of my sleep, I heard this rustling noise through my cochlear implant. I eventually recognised the source of this noise, and my eyes flew open. The steward had just progressed past me, but I was able to get his attention. He doubled back and gave me my prize. The source of the rustling noise? Other people opening their foil wrappers for Magnum icecreams! Licking away happily on my icecream, I thanked the team at LEHI once again for giving me the gift of a cochlear implant. If I had been wearing my previous behind-the-ear hearing aids, I would not have heard the rustling noise at all and missed out completely on a delicious icecream. A happy little vegemite was the result..."

    - Fleur (no.2)

"The Cochlear Implant has made a great difference to my life. The joy has never left me and it is a very emotional feeling. I am so grateful for all the help I have received from many people. It has given me so much more confidence in myself, and dare I say it, I have lost a lot of inhibitions."

    - Elizabeth

"I am a very fortunate recipient of one cochlear and now I am having the second implant. Time is fast approaching and the excitement is building up daily. Yes, I do know what to expect this time but I am sure the second implant will make it just that much better to hear and understand speech. I know I will find it so much easier not having to strain so much when in a noisy background. No deaf side now for me.

Everyone has said to me why I should have a second implant. Satisfaction for myself is my aim. I will definitely have improved speech perception in a listening environment and it is better to have the second implant now while my health is good.

If I can interpret music better even in a small way with the second implant then I will have achieved what I have been after for a very long time.

With the second implant I will have the back up I need. I don't know how I would manage without the cochlear. It has made an enormous difference to my life and my family. Using the phone is a bonus after years of asking others to do my phone calls. Outsiders could never know the frustrations of not being able to simply pick up the receiver and dial a number.

When people come up to you out of the blue and say "cochlear", shake your hand and wish you well, whether it is here of overseas, you feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction knowing you have done the right thing. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. I am counting the days until I have the second implant. Can't come soon enough for me. They "turn on" day will be one to which I am eagerly awaiting. I am absolutely sure that with the second implant I will hear that much better. Thanks must be given to the team at SCGH for their sincere help. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today. I have complete faith in the medical team."

    - Pat

"Deafness has been a problem in my family for many years, my mother was profoundly deaf, in my case, I first noticed I was having hearing problems when I was around 25 years of age. I purchased my first hearing aid about 5 years later and the Hearing Sales Center which was looking after me, recommended to me I go bi-lateral. Bi-lateral means having a hearing aid in each ear. As time went by my hearing did not improve and I required very high powered aids to enable me to have any sort of hearing.

This situation did not change and as time progressed my hearing problems seemed to me to be unsolvable. I was very fortunate my wife understood the problems I was having and she became my hearing tool. It must have been very difficult for her as I tendered to become somewhat of a recluse. I made all sorts of excuses not to go out, rejecting dinner invitations and things like that; we never bothered about the movies they are a bit of a waste of time if you can not hear them.

Meeting up and having conversations with friends or anybody for that matter, is embarrassing when you have to ask people to repeat it time and time again. It is embarrassing not only for our friends but it hurts the deaf person as well because he knows there is nothing he can do about it.

It was in the year 2000 my wife was diagnosed with cancer and this was going to be terminal, her main concern was not of herself but of me and hearing problems. She did not want me to sit at home in front of the TV and never go out. We realised I had to do something about it. We made arrangements to see the Cochlear Implant people and after many tests by the Doctors and Audiologists I was advised I was medically suited for a Cochlear Implant. We made the necessary arrangements and the operation was done in September 2001. You are only in hospital a couple of days at the most, and after around 2 weeks you are referred to the Audiologist who then commences a post operation program to help us with the new implant.

Unfortunately my wife past away a short time after, but she died knowing the implant had been a great success for me and I now had 98% of normal hearing again."

    - Neville

FM System

"We didn't really know what to expect with Jye trialling the FM system and thought it may be more of a hindrance to the class teacher. WOW was the result we all got. As soon as it was operational that same day Jye's teacher and the EA were in total shock at how much more Jye instantly became involved within the class. His teacher couldn't wait to tell us the news. It was like he could finally hear what was going on.

The FM system has been a totally positive experience. Jye has progressed so much in the 6 months while using the FM system and he definitely wouldn't be where he is now without it. His teachers and fellow students have all been very supportive of him using the FM system.

Teacher hint: Just remember to turn off the transmitter when going to the toilet!

We sincerely thank Anna Kania and the Lions Hearing Clinic."

    - Craig & Julie Jensen, Jye's parents