A little over a year ago, my life took an unexpected turn when I experienced sudden hearing loss. I was working as a correctional officer in Sydney while juggling two young children aged 4 and 2. Life was hectic but good, until it took an unexpected turn.
At first, I thought my ears were blocked — surely it was just a temporary thing that would go away on its own. But as days turned into weeks, I began to worry.
“My husband’s deep voice became a mumble, and I found myself frustrated from missing out on conversations with him and our children."
At home, things had become difficult. My husband’s deep voice became a mumble, and I found myself frustrated from missing out on conversations with him and our young children. I’d often ask him to repeat himself. The kids’ cries, once a normal part of our routine, now sounded sharp and painful, almost unbearable. It took a long time for me to admit that something serious might be going on.
My husband would get very frustrated, and it put a big strain on our relationship. Once he realised the severity of my hearing loss, he was a big support and encouraged me to not accept no for an answer.
Work was no different. I developed skills to cope, like lip-reading, and most of my colleagues had no idea how much I was struggling. I’d often get through meetings by watching people’s lips move rather than actually hearing what they were saying. During my hearing test, the audiologist would ask me to close my eyes, but I kept opening them—I was so reliant on reading lips that I didn’t trust myself to understand what was being said without it. And then the hard reality hit when I wasn’t allowed to resume my regular role as correctional officer after returning from maternity leave, due to my hearing loss. I had no choice but to look to alternative career choices, and have since been working as a Staging Technician at Telstra.
Every day, I’m still amazed at how much I was missing before addressing my hearing loss. I wonder now what else I had overlooked in all those conversations and meetings.
My GP referred me to an Audika Hearing Clinic and, when I finally went to see the audiologist, I was hoping to find out that the issue was temporary. Instead, my audiologist Rose-Mary told me my hearing loss was permanent and very severe. I sat there in disbelief, my mind racing through all the moments I had missed with my husband and young children because I couldn’t hear them clearly. The denial I had been living in finally gave way to the harsh reality of my situation.
Rose-Mary said I needed medical attention right away. Despite my hearing being classified an emergency, I couldn’t get an appointment to see an Ear Nose & Throat Doctor for two weeks. The ENT discussed my options with me, one being to “get used to my hearing loss” or else to address it with the help of an audiologist.
I left feeling very confused and overwhelmed, believing that my hearing loss would become my new reality given I am completely deaf in one ear. I was told to take six months to decide what to do about it. I ended up going nine months without any support and significant hearing loss. It’s heartbreaking looking back at this time, which is why I want to help others from experiencing the same situation.
A whole new world of hearing
Finally deciding to do something about my hearing was one of the best choices I’ve made. I reached out to Audika, and they were incredibly accommodating. My work schedule can be unpredictable, and I often finish at odd hours, but Audika was flexible, allowing me to reschedule appointments when necessary.
From the very first visit, I felt understood. They weren’t just addressing my hearing loss—they were listening to my story, and that made all the difference.
Now, I can be more engaged in conversations, and I’m no longer worried about looking inattentive from asking people to repeat themselves. My husband and I are closer and communicating better than ever, and for that I am so thankful.
Every day, I’m still amazed at how much I was missing before addressing my hearing loss. I wonder now what else I had overlooked in all those conversations and interactions.
Audika has truly gone the extra mile to ensure I get the care I need. Knowing that someone cares about my story and my journey has given me a new level of comfort and confidence. I no longer feel like I’m just coping—I’m thriving.
For more Unheard Stories, visit audika.com/unheard-stories
