My Hearing Journey
Kevin's time in the army caused his hearing loss. Not once in all the years he served was it suggested he should wear hearing protection and in fact hearing protection was not yet available. By the time he knew about it, it was too late, for his hearing had been damaged.
Kevin FitzRoy 2009
Download a copy of Kevin's Story Brochure
I was born, I believe with normal hearing on the 14th June 1935. One of my earliest memories concerning hearing was when I was a boy of about 8. My maternal Grandparents had purchased a small holiday cottage at Mittagong, in the NSW Southern Highlands, and one evening when all was quiet, and I was supposed to be asleep not trying to listen to the grownups, I could hear a munching sound. When I mentioned it I was fobbed off, but a few months later my grandparents were faced with a large repair bill for termite attack. What I had heard was white ants chewing away on the timber in the house. That must have been close to the peak of my natural hearing.
At 18, I was conscripted into National Service in the Army, consequently dutifully doing what I was ordered; firing 303 Rifles, Bren Guns, Owen Guns, Grenades, and then Light Artillery (40mm Beaufort Guns). After completion of my full-time service, I was posted to a Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit, where I served part time for a further 4 years. These guns were 3.7 inch, the complete shell weighing some 90lbs, and when I was hand firing these shells, the resultant explosion was only approximately 45 cms from my left ear. In all my time in the army not once was hearing protection suggested and in fact was not available.
After leaving the Army, I continued with my trade as a carpenter and by the time I was in my late 20's, power tools, machinery and Ramset Guns had been invented and were very much in vogue. Great inventions, time and energy savers; all very noisy, no problem those days, still no ear protection though.
By the time I was in my early forties I realized I had a hearing loss, and was referred to an ENT Specialist. After due tests, he informed me, yes, I had a hearing loss, there was nothing much I could do about it and I had to learn to live with it. Taking his advice, for many years I did just that .
By the time I was 55 my loss really started to affect me and so I commenced the "catch-up" game with Hearing Aids, the first set fitted on 14th March 1991. Most were sold to me on the virtual promise of almost fully restored hearing, but in reality a restoration for a few months and then the hearing slide down hill started again. At aged 68 I was fitted with my 5th set of aids. By now friends and family were frustrated at being asked to repeat and/or face me. My lip-reading skills, used in conjunction with my residual hearing, improved out of sheer necessity. A Teletext TV was purchased, then a DVD player to watch the odd movie, again with captions. My wife became a relay service for phone calls, so a TTY Phone was rented from Telstra, which gave me independence for phone calls. However, very few people would ring me through the Relay Service because it was too much hassle for them. I carried a small notebook and pen for people to write down what they were saying for when I could not lip-read or understand. This period of my life started my isolation. Most social outings were just out of the question because I could not capably communicate and be a part of the occasion. When I did try I was constantly being asked not to shout. Staying at home was easier, less tiring from trying to lip-read and fewer hassles.
In May 2004, I had joined Deafness Forum, and attended a summit on "Hearing" etc., and present at that Summit were representatives from Cochlear Australia. I had heard of Cochlear implants, and remarkably, was contemplating my next move regarding my hearing. This meeting, together with talking to other Cochlear recipients at that Summit galvanised me into exploring that path.
I talked to people at the Deafness Forum.
I made contact with the Queensland Cochlear Implant Centre in Brisbane and Dr. Bruce Black, an implant surgeon, and commenced my candidacy tests for implantation. My own program was disjointed because I was residing in Cairns at that time and travel constraints and costs prevented a smooth flow. I entered BPHospital on the 21st April 2005 for my implant operation, and marched out of the Hospital just over 24 hours after I had checked in, no pain, no problems, and in a great frame of mind.
Monday 9th May 2005; Switch-on day, (ESPrit 3G), one eagerly awaited by both myself and my wife Rosemary. Karen Pedley, my Audiologist established my initial map. For me, the switch on was not dramatic, I just suddenly became aware of the sound of voices, mostly my own since it was my custom to talk loudly. Voices were very "electronic or robotic" but lip-reading became easier immediately and some words were understandable. The directional microphone became very apparent, and it felt great to be able to hear again, other voices as well as my own, and consequently being able to monitor the volume of my own voice.
Wednesday 18th May; Visited friends by train, by now I am becoming accustomed to the noises, and using it to help make my brain work to process and understand the sound. We had a great day with friends we had not seen for some years. For me it was another good occasion because I was able to participate without too much trouble. Maybe the couple of red wines helped as well! On the return journey in the train, I heard a noise that to me sounded like a cat being tortured. When I asked my wife to identify the sound, it was a baby crying in the next compartment; at best, I heard it.
Sunday 29th May; For the first time in many years, I was able to sit on our rear patio after breakfast and have a quiet conversation with my wife over a cup of coffee. Real quality time! That evening we had a Bar/be/Que and I heard the crickets in the garden chittering.
I am now much happier with life.
Wednesday 1st June; I am now hearing many more environmental sounds and with the help of my wife, identifying them. Not all of them sound true as I remembered them. Being able to converse with people without constantly straining and lip-reading is just great, I am not as tense and it is less tiring for me. Life is also better for family and friends because I am moderating my own voice and not annoying them by yelling. In fact I have had people say the odd "pardon" to me. I am now much happier with life; the birds are screeching in the trees, but the doves are "cooing".
Thursday 9th June; I am hearing so well now, it seems to improve daily, I have regained the ability to use the phone. I have disconnected and returned the TTY phone and connected a speaker-phone. Hearing almost 90% through the speaker using the microphone setting and about 70% through the handpiece using the "T" setting, however, I am finding computer messages are a problem.
Tuesday 14th June; Another mapping session with some small changes again. My Audiologist Karen said I am doing extremely well. Spent my 70th birthday arising at 4.15 a.m. and either waiting at Airports, flying, in the train or at my mapping session. A friend took me to a very nice lunch, which was most enjoyable; complete with a couple of red wines, for health reasons!
"You now have another life."
Monday 27th June; Review visit to Dr. Black, he was happy with the healing and my progress and went on to say "you now have another life", a sentiment I totally agree with.
Tuesday 19th July; Very pleased to participate in some more community service and drove a bus for a local Retirement Home on an outing. This is the first time I had driven the bus for some 18 months as I had previously been stood down because with my hearing impairment I was considered a risk.
The relief from tinnitus is a plus.
December; I had suffered from tinnitus for about 20 years, but by now I only have an occasional short and mild bout. The relief from another most trying part of my hearing life is another great plus.
Wednesday 10th May; My 12 month mapping and assessment. My map is now stable and the assessment proved just how far my hearing has progressed. I still have a few problems with some consonants. Some tests, which showed I had a score of 8% pre my implant, I am now getting 94%. While not all tests were that good, but it is indicative of the overall improvement.
Tuesday 19th June 2007; Upgraded to a Freedom Processor, with more programs it has widened my hearing range, especially the quieter sounds and with the ADRO program for meetings. But best of all it has enabled me to once more enjoy music.
Conclusion; At the end of the day, I am still practically deaf, like when I remove the processor to shower, before retiring, having a haircut. Wearing a hat causes some problems.
As with hearing aids, the microphone picks up wind noise when facing directly into it, which is annoying, but for the balance of the time, this small magical digital masterpiece performs miracles for me. Most voices now sound normal and natural. My own has a slight electronic edge to it and the louder I speak the more pronounced this is. However, I have now gotten used to and accept this as normal. One plus is that some sounds are better than I remember their original mechanical click/thud/bang. It has given a new life to both Rosemary and myself, and to my family and friends, a new perspective and relief from my loud voice. My Cochlear processor is now one of my most prized possessions; I hate to think what life would be like without it.