“I finally felt like someone was listening to me and understanding how I felt about my hearing loss.”
Lynette, from Australia, searched for over 40 years to find a hearing solution. Then she finally met someone who listened—a VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE surgeon called Dr. Chang.
I’m Lynette, 65 years old from Australia. In my free time I love to spend time with my friends and family. My friend owns a hairdressing salon and I love helping her out with it.
I have had a hearing loss for 41 years, and I’ve spent many years trying to find a solution to help me. I have always had a lot of ear infections from a young age, and so have had many hearing tests. After a major operation for a brain tumour, I lost a lot of my hearing on the left side. I tried to wear a hearing aid but that didn’t work due to all my ear infections.
With my hearing loss, I found it really hard to hear conversations at any occasion with my family and friends. I couldn’t hear most of what was being said. I felt like I was just sitting there and not able to enjoy being with anyone. It made me feel really lonely, and in the end I just stopped going out. I also tried not to drive because I couldn’t hear if anyone was behind me, and I also couldn’t hear any sirens.
Finding Out About The Solution
On one of my many appointments at the Prince Alfred Hospital back in 2015, a doctor told me about the ENT surgeon Dr. Chang. It was Dr. Chang who told me about the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE, and how it could help me with my hearing—it really surprised me.
I went home and excitedly told my little family about it all. Soon after that I decided I would go ahead and get it done. I had nothing to lose, and I felt Dr Chang could be the first surgeon to help me.
My son and my best friend were there for me the whole time during the surgery, during the recovery after surgery, and right through to getting my device switched on. They provided me with so much support through my journey. I will never know how to thank the people that were there throughout my journey in getting my hearing back.
Switch-on Day
我记得澳大利亚听证会的那一天，我有Samba连接。我的Med-el代表莎拉和ushma我的听力学家，和我在一起。当他们打开设备时，我真的很惊讶。我试图不要哭，我想我震惊了，因为我突然听到他们都说。然后我开始笑，而他们正在解释异常的噪音。我无法相信它在做什么。然后，我哭了。我可以听到我的儿子和我最好的朋友跟我说话，我可以听到每一个字。
From the very first day, I was amazed at the sounds all around me. I could hear the cars, music and the birds outside. I really didn’t realise how much I was missing out on before I got the hearing implant. To hear every word and to understand what my son was saying was the greatest gift I have ever received.
Life With Improved Hearing
My favourite thing about my improved hearing is simply being able to hear my son and my friends clearly. I’m surprised that I can hear everything that they are talking about when we are together—I used to have to lean in to hear what had been said so I wouldn’t miss too many words. Now, I no longer feel left out. I am also really excited that I now help my friend at her hairdressing salon, and love being able to hear all of the people who come to the salon. A lot of people see my device and they ask me about it. After I have explained what it is, they want to know more about it. I don’t hesitate to tell my story!
Some of the things I enjoy hearing now are rain, wind, and music. I used to love to dance but stopped because I couldn’t hear the music properly, which I can now. Now I can go to the movies with my son and I can actually enjoy it because I can hear.
I continue to hear new sounds. I heard a sound the other day and I began running around the house trying to find what it was. When I realized what it was and I ran outside to tell my family. It was the clock on the wall! I laughed at myself because to be able to hear that and not know what it was, showed me just how much I have been missing for years.
展望未来,我期待着贝ng involved with different things and just enjoying life itself. My life really has changed with the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE.
Thanks, Lynette!
Subscribe To The MED-EL Blog
Want to make sure you get all the latest articles from the MED-EL Blog? Subscribe now!
The content on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please contact your doctor or hearing specialist to learn what type of hearing solution is suitable for your specific needs. Not all products, features, or indications shown are approved in all countries.
