Meet Hadley, a mom and avid runner, and hear the tools she uses to keep up with her active life. Running Through Silence: How Hadley Reclaimed Her Hearing—and Her Confidence—with Cochlear™ Baha® 6 Max Sound Processor
In 2015, Hadley, a busy mom of two and passionate runner, faced a life-altering challenge. One morning, she woke up with intense vertigo and flu-like symptoms. By the end of the day, she had lost all hearing in her left ear.
Terrified and overwhelmed, Hadley’s first thoughts were of her children. “What if I never hear my boys’ voices again?” she wondered. With that fear propelling her forward, she quickly sought help from a local audiologist. Over the next few months, she underwent treatments, including rounds of steroids, but her hearing didn’t return.
Eventually, Hadley and her care team realized it was time for a new solution: that’s when she was introduced to the Cochlear™ Baha® 6 Max Sound Processor.
“It changed EVERYTHING. In fact, when I finally got my device in 2016, they tried it on me and walked me around the building to help figure out the settings, etc. I couldn’t stop crying at the difference it made.” – Hadley S.
Hearing the World Again — One Mile at a Time
While the Baha processor immediately helped Hadley regain clarity in everyday conversations, it was in social settings, with background music, side chatter, and ambient noise, that she noticed the biggest difference. Where she used to feel isolated, she now felt part of the moment again.
But for Hadley, hearing again wasn’t just about conversation. It was about running.
At the time of her hearing loss, she had been training for a marathon. Running, especially in the early morning, had once been her sanctuary — a space to focus, to recharge, and to push herself. But suddenly, it became a source of vulnerability. Without full hearing, she couldn’t always hear approaching cars, bikers, or even fellow runners. Her safety and confidence were shaken.
Smart Technology for Smarter, Safer Runs
Using the Baha Smart App,1 Hadley could customize her sound processor for different environments, including an outdoor setting that helped minimize wind feedback while she ran. The app also allowed her to safely stream music, giving her back one of the joys of long-distance training.
In addition, Hadley made great use of the Mini Microphone 2+,2 a small but powerful tool that expanded her hearing range. Whether she clipped it at the far end of a dinner table during group gatherings or handed it to a running partner on a long trail, the Mini Mic 2+ helped her stay connected to conversations, no matter the distance or noise.
A Community of Support
From her family, who supported her recovery and training, to her running friends, who instinctively placed themselves on her right side (her better-hearing side), Hadley is quick to credit the community that surrounded her with patience, understanding, and love.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that with the right tools and the right people beside you, it’s possible to not only recover but thrive.
Are You a Runner Living with Hearing Loss?
If you’re an active person who’s experienced hearing loss, you don’t have to choose between safety and doing what you love. With the Baha Smart App, and accessories like the Mini Mic 2+, you can customize your hearing to match your lifestyle, whether you’re at a noisy dinner or out on a sunrise run.
To learn more about the Baha Smart App and how it could help you, visit: Baha Smart App: Getting started and watch the video below.
- The Cochlear Baha® Smart App Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information, visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
- The Mini Microphone 2+ transmits speech and sound directly to your sound processor over a distance of 82 feet (25 meters)(clear line of sight). It provides complete connectivity (FM, Telecoil, line-in jack), ideal for use at work or in the classroom.
