Supporting those who support others
In 2024, four people from around Ontario received top technology hearing aids and services at no charge through the Hear Well Be Well Gift of Hearing program.
Hearing loss can make you uncomfortable in your life. From frustrating coworkers to avoiding social events, untreated hearing loss can create unhappiness and loneliness. Hearing tests are free at Hear Well Be Well so there’s no reason not to know where you stand before hearing loss takes some of your life away.
London residents see marked improvement in life
London Ontario had two Gift of Hearing recipients this year. For each of them, the new hearing aids were a blessing.
“This is going to be a wild ride,” said Cheryl Thomas of London when her hearing aids were turned on. “I had no idea my hearing was so bad. I got so used to things, I didn’t really think I had hearing loss. I thought it was just how things are. This is going to make a huge difference in greeting people before and after service, not just nodding and smiling at them because I couldn’t hear them in the background noise. I’m so pleased and so thankful.”
Cheryl is a pastor at Impact Church. In her role, she touches many people’s lives. One of her coworkers nominated her for Gift of Hearing.
“I guess that shows how frustrated they were with me,” Cheryl added. “With my coworkers, I know I missed a lot of things. I’m so glad my staff sent in the nomination.”
As a counsellor, Cheryl noted how she may not have been clearly understanding people.
“When you’re meeting with someone, one-on-one, and they’re sharing their life story and you keep having to lean in to hear them, it’s not the most effective meeting,” she mentioned. “I’m so looking forward to hearing everything that’s happening in a meeting.”
Sandra Blake was nominated for Gift of Hearing by two employees of Hear Well Be Well. When she would attend her husband’s appointments at the hearing clinic, they noticed Sandra was struggling to hear them.
“We noticed Sandra is struggling more and more at each of her husband’s follow up appointments,” said Jessica of the London hearing clinic. “Sandra is always asking for others to repeat themselves and also doesn’t answer questions asked to her correctly because she couldn’t hear.”
Sandra is looking forward to hearing the world around her without having to turn up the TV or continually ask people to repeat themselves. As the type of person who is always thinking of others before herself, Sandra is more concerned about the impact her hearing loss has had on others than with what she’s lost.
Huntsville recipient – getting back to meetings
Margaret-Rose Baker of Kearney ON stopped going to her horticulture and senior’s group meetings because she couldn’t hear the speaker.
“Basically since COVID I haven’t gone to meetings,” Margaret-Rose explained. “I couldn’t hear. But I’ll be going to the one next Monday!”
Margaret-Rose missed out on a lot because she distanced herself from conversations because of her hearing loss.
“I didn’t try to talk to a lot of people because I couldn’t hear what they were saying,” she added.
A woman of few words, Margaret-Rose doesn’t think she would have gotten hearing aids if it wasn’t for Gift of Hearing.
Margaret-Rose’s husband, LeRoy, nominated her for Gift of Hearing. In his nomination, he wrote, “She started not liking going out. She really struggles at church and in any group to hear. Tonight she is being awarded her 15-year Legion membership award and she’s not looking forward to it like she should.”
Bracebridge supports local resident
Joanne Dixon of Bracebridge was asking people to repeat themselves all the time. She decided it was time to get her hearing checked before she lost her hearing completely.
“I would go to exercise classes and I couldn’t participate in the conversations or hear the jokes the instructor was telling,” she said. “At the end of class, the instructor would read us little jokes or stories and I’d miss all of it. People would all be laughing and I wouldn’t know why. You feel all by yourself; It was a bit lonely. I’d stay off by myself.”
Joanne is looking forward to being able to hear in places with loud background noise as her new Serene 17s from Beltone are exceptional in background noise.
“I also had a ringing in my ears for a long time,” she added. “I have no ringing in my head now! I do still have it when I’m not wearing my hearing aids though.”
Joanne feels strongly that everyone of her age should get their hearing tested. Hearing tests are free at Hear Well Be Well.