ESTERHAZY — Esterhazy found their recipient in the Gift of Hearing campaign.
Of the 13 nominations, three people were selected for a hearing assessment.
“The top three selections were chosen based on a variety of factors, such as the reason the individual was nominated (how the gift of hearing would impact the life of the recipient and their family), the degree and severity of hearing loss, financial need, suitability for the style of devices that would be gifted, length of time they have had hearing loss, and perceived benefit the individual would receive from binaural hearing devices,” explained Chelsea Stewart, Audiologist at the House of Hearing.
A case history and interview process also took place, and Shirley Maximnuk was chosen as the recipient.
“Shirley has a moderately severe, sensorineural hearing loss in both ears,” Stewart said. “This is a significant hearing loss and poses severe challenges to hearing in both quiet and noise. Shirley’s hearing loss started in approximately Grade 6 and has gotten progressively worse over the years.”
The new hearing aids will help her participate in conversations, and she feels more comfortable when company visits.
“I found out what water sounds like when it’s boiling,” Maximnuk said when asked about things she noticed in the first few weeks of using the new hearing aids. “ Also, I hear my dog panting. I only saw it before, now I know what it sounds like.”
Maximnuk was nominated by her three daughters, who have seen the impact of the hearing loss on their mother over the years. They have missed visiting with their mom and having special conversations about what is going on in their lives.
The ability to hear more clearly has a huge impact on people’s lives, and Maximnuk was becoming more isolated due to her hearing loss.
“Shirley, as well as her family and friends, are looking forward to her becoming more engaged in conversations and involved in family gatherings,” Stewart noted. “The hearing devices will provide Shirley with the opportunity to connect rather than withdraw in difficult listening situations. She will be able to keep in touch with her daughters as the hearing devices will make it significantly easier for her to talk on the phone.”
When asked what that moment was like when she tried on the equipment for the first time, Maximnuk said she noticed “how loud everything is for me now and realizing how it is for others.”
“When Shirley first came in for her hearing assessment, it was very difficult for me to communicate with her—even in quiet—and while sitting directly across from her,” Stewart said. “I had to speak very loudly and enunciate the words clearly and it was evident that Shirley had to really strain to follow the conversation. At the end of the appointment, I fitted Shirley with loaner hearing devices to see if they would be something she would be willing to wear and could manage. It was amazing how much more engaged Shirley was in the conversation with the devices.”
The difference was immediate, even with the temporary devices.
“I was able to ask Shirley questions without her seeing my face and she was able to answer correctly,” Stewart said. “I was able to have a conversation with Shirley and her daughter, Melissa, and she was following and understanding the conversation. Her face lit up! It was amazing to see first-hand how the experience changed from her straining to hear and nodding in response to questions, versus her being able to hear with much less effort and responding to the questions and being more involved in the conversation.”
One thing Maximnuk is looking forward to is hearing the birds when they come back in the spring—something many people take for granted.
“I can easily participate in conversations with family and friends and hear their actual voices,” Maximuk said. “Most are high pitched and some of them are too rowdy!”
Gift of Hearing will continue
Stewart says she plans to hold the second campaign next winter as well.
“I am very happy with how well the campaign went,” she said. “It was very difficult to choose the top three selections and ultimately, choose one individual. The lack of funding for hearing devices makes it very difficult for many individuals to purchase hearing aids on their own.”
Stewart noted that her team can help identify funding opportunities clients may be eligible for.
“I aim to ensure everyone has access to hearing devices by working with their budget and providing payment plans,” she said. “Untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of social isolation and depression, poor balance and fall-related injuries, accelerated cognitive decline, and dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”
Hearing health is a priority, and Stewart noted some ‘early warning’ signs that show it might be time to book an assessment appointment. Frequently asking people to repeat themselves, difficulty hearing conversations, finding that people tend to mumble when they speak or misinterpret what they say, avoiding social situations, turning up the volume on the TV and hearing ringing, buzzing or humming in your ears are all signs of early hearing loss.
“Also, due to the gradual nature of age-related and noise-induced hearing loss, many people are unaware they have a hearing loss,” Stewart said. “If a hearing loss is identified, the audiologist will counsel on appropriate recommendations, help initiate medical consultations, identify funding opportunities, discuss preventative measures, counsel on communication strategies, and discuss plans for follow-up.”
