Hearing loss almost stalled my career
Click on the image to go to the transcript of Danny's article in the West Australian June-08
email: danny_scott_2000@yahoo.com
Danny works as a Helicopter Aircrewman for Adelaide Bank Rescue. Hearing is essential for safety - his, his crew members and those he rescues. Danny lost his hearing due to head injuries and this loss put his job at risk. This is his story.
My name is Danny Clarke.
I lost total hearing on both sides essentially within the same year, back in 2005. I had existing hearing loss on the right side caused by a skull fracture when I was 8yrs old. Although my level of hearing remained stable through the years, I woke one morning in February '05 to discover I was suddenly totally deaf on that side.
At that time, I was working as a Helicopter AirCrewman in Search and Rescue, so I was rather concerned that this sudden loss may affect my ability to continue in that role. To my great relief, it turned out I was still able to manage to do my job without any problems, though socially I was noticing some situations becoming difficult.
In October of the same year, I was the victim of an unprovoked assault while leaving a club in Fremantle WA, the attack left me with a another fracture through the temporal bone, this time on the left side. I regained consciousness on the pavement, completely deaf. After testing, it was revealed my hearing loss was total and permanent.
After four difficult months of communicating only by writting notes and lip reading, I went into theatre for bilateral Cochlear Implantation performed by Professor Marcus Atlas of The Ear Science Institute Australia. 11 days later, my Processors were activated and I began hearing again - not perfectly, but the sound quality gradually improved and continues to improve to this day. Eventually my bionic hearing reached a level such that I was confident I could once again return to my role as AirCrewman. It took a little more than two years from when I went deaf before I strapped on the flight helmet again in December '07. I was finally back in the sky, resuming the career I had worked hard to achieve. I now work as EMS Aircrewman on the Adelaide Bank Rescue Helicopter Service for Australian Helicopters and I could not do this if I did not have my bi-lateral cochlear implants.
My hearing is still not perfect, and I continue to struggle in certain situations, but I am constantly reminded of the wonder of this technology. People, who after asking about my Implants, are amazed when I tell them that I am totally deaf without them. They often say, they would never have guessed I have a hearing problem.
Hearing loss is a disability that is not seen, and is continually misunderstood. It usually has a huge impact on a person's life - as I know it has mine. Now that hearling loss is such a large part of my life, I am always excited to 'hear' about new developments in both bionic hearing technology and in the research of other hearing solutions. I would like to thank Cochlear Ltd for their incredible technology, and Ear Science Institute Australia for all their support in making my implantation possible and my rehabilitation a success.
Other articles by Danny:
- CHC Aircrewman overcomes injury CHC Helicopter Employee Magazine
- Overcoming serious injury