Phase 4 Patient Story: Becky

Becky is great example of what we’re trying to accomplish in our Phase 4 program, as we’re working to help those we fit with hearing aids mainstream into life.

At a young age, Becky’s mother noticed she was falling behind her younger brother in school. She took Becky to a local hospital in Kenya, and a doctor confirmed that she has significant hearing loss.

Becky’s family could not afford the hearing aids she needed to hear, so she unfortunately was forced to live with her hearing loss and was moved into a school for the deaf. 

We met Becky and fit her with hearing aids in June 2014 and she was overjoyed at being opened up to the world of sound. However, since she could not hear during several key hearing development years growing up, she knew she would need to work hard to fully incorporate hearing into her life.

That work has taken a huge leap forward as Becky continues to attend Martin Luther School for the Deaf where we are conducting our Phase 4 work. We’ve been working with teachers at that school to help them better understand the needs of students using hearing aids, like Becky, and equip them with the knowledge and skills to incorporate total communication into their curriculum.

The difference this education is making in Becky’s hearing and speaking development is proving monumental. She is making great strides in understanding the words being spoken to her, as well as her ability to pronounce words. Becky’s teachers are already sending her to mainstream classes a couple times each week.

Becky’s progress is proving significant at home as well. When we recently caught up with her mother, she was raving about the changes she seen. She talked about how she no longer has to be directly in front of Becky to talk to her, and they can even communicate from separate rooms.

Becky’s mother also mentioned that she used to avoid sending her to the store, or if she did, she would have to send a note to convey what she needed. Now she sends Becky to the store in full confidence that she’ll be able to communicate well with anyone she needs to.

It’s great to see so much progress in a student. We’re looking forward to hearing more stories about the difference Becky’s education with hearing aids is making in her life.