Voices of Hearing and Balance Sample Story
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.