Voices of Hearing and Balance Wellness

 Allen Humble is a resident of Las Vegas, NV.

The first time I noticed I had a serious hearing problem was about 20 years ago.  At the time I was working in banking and I had a young woman in my office with a soft voice that told me she had taken a call for me.  I couldn’t understand her at all.  Within 1 month I obtained hearing aids.  90% of my job was listening to people over the phone and talking to customers.  And if you can’t hear them….

I talked to my GP about my hearing loss and he recommended an ENT.  The ENT just said I needed hearing aids but didn’t really provide any other information.  I didn’t know where to begin.  I found a hearing aid dispenser and was fit with hearing aids.  They did enhance sound, but it didn’t clarify speech for me.  I still couldn’t understand what people were saying.   This went on for about 12 years.

My friends and family didn’t understand what I was going through.  Finally, the bank came to me and asked me what I needed to do my job better.  I met with an audiologist, and for the first time a cochlear implant was discussed. 

When the cochlear implant was turned on, my first thought was, ’wow, this is what I have been missing.’   This was like going from dark to light, but it was beautiful.   The audiologist told me it would continue to improve, and it has in every way.  

I don't know how to explain what it is like to lose a sense and then regain it.  It is like getting your life back.  It is being able to communicate.  I don't have to sit there and continually ask others to repeat themselves.  It is unbelievable, and a relief that I really, really enjoy.