I'm empowering people with hearing loss.

As all who know me are aware, I was born deaf in my right ear and hard of hearing in my left ear. Through the years I have had speech therapy, hearing aids and a cochlear implant. All assist me with conversations and hearing. Many believe that once you have a hearing aid and/or cochlear implant your hearing is magically restored. People think of it like wearing a pair of glasses. With glasses if you do not have profound sight loss, you should be able to see as clearly as you would if you didn't have any sight loss. Unfortunately that is not the case. Wearing a hearing device is an aid, not hearing. They do help make words a bit more intelligible, but don't help when there is mumbling, loud environments, or even when the person isn't facing you. They don't restore your normal hearing.

I am hoping by early 2024 to have a hearing dog. I get asked a lot about what a hearing dog can do for me. Even with a hearing aid there are sounds I don't hear, but I don't wear my aid 24/7, so the dog will definitely help during those times.

Sounds I don't hear that a dog can help with

Alarms

Knocks on doors

Phones

Tea Kettle

doorbell

People calling my name 

Microwave beeping

and so many others

I am fortunate to work for a company that is all about Hearing Health. I'm proud to say they decided to have a team walk at this year's Walk4Hearing Chicago.

Please support me in the walk by either, raising awareness, walking with us, or donating. Donations will go to the Hearing Loss association of America. HLAA helps the deaf an hard of hearing community in many ways. Their information is below.

Hearing Loss Association of America’s (HLAA) Walk4Hearing is a nationwide campaign that brings hope to people with hearing loss in 20 cities, joining them in their communities to raise awareness and show support. Teams of family and friends join with HLAA Chapters and nonprofit business partners to raise funds for local programs and promote hearing health.

HLAA is the leading organization representing the growing number of Americas with hearing loss providing them with education, advocacy and empowerment. HLAA is bringing attention to hearing loss as a growing public health crisis affecting one in seven Americans and an often-ignored part of overall health and wellness.

As a walker, I've joined with HLAA Chapters, hearing care professionals and nonprofit and business partners committed to helping every person with hearing loss thrive. Your support with a donation will help me bring empowerment to our community.