From their journey with having a spouse with hearing loss to cochlear implants, these four couples have been through it all. Learn about their stories as they dealt with marriages affected by hearing loss and later, journeys of success with cochlear implants.
To watch the full series of videos from each couple, please visit our Cochlear Americas YouTube page.
Brenda and Brad
Brenda’s gradual hearing loss made it tough to connect with her spouse, Brad, and her two daughters. She had struggled with hearing loss since she was in the first grade and gradually began to feel disconnected and isolated. She knew she needed to do something about it. After Brenda found cochlear implants, she knew that this was the hearing loss solution she had been looking for. Since receiving the cochlear implant, Brenda can now hear turn signals, coffee pot timers and her grandkids saying, “grandma,” over the phone.
Watch Brenda and Brad’s cochlear implant journey below and see the positive impact that her cochlear implant has had on their marriage and family life.
Pauletta and Chuck
Pauletta struggled with gradual hearing loss over many years and after several generations of hearing aids, she reached a point where hearing aids were no longer enough. It was heartbreaking for Chuck, Pauletta’s husband, to watch her slowly lose her hearing. Pauletta was forced to retire early from a career she loved and stopped going to church because she could no longer hear the sermons. Pauletta and Chuck heard about cochlear implants and decided this was the best option for her. “It was just like magic” is how Chuck described Pauletta’s cochlear implant activation process.
Deb and Jim
Deb and Jim started as running partners and then eventually “ran” down the aisle together. Deb started to lose her hearing gradually and it began to put a strain on her marriage. As Deb’s hearing loss progressed, she could no longer talk with Jim during their nightly walks or participate in conversations with her son and daughter-in-law when they visited.
Deb had heard about cochlear implants before, but decided to stick with hearing aids to treat her hearing loss. As her hearing worsened, she needed to amplify sound and make it clearer. Unfortunately, her hearing aids were not providing the sound clarity that she needed. Deb decided that getting a cochlear implant was the best option to treat her hearing loss and get back to communicating with her loved ones.
Gary and Carol
Somewhere between 1967 and 1969, Gary and Carol fell in love. Gary started to lose his hearing gradually and began growing frustrated and angry at not being able to fully participate in everyday life. It began to affect his relationships with his kids, friends, work and, most importantly, with his wife. After receiving his cochlear implant, Gary regained his hearing and turned over a new leaf for him and Carol. In the video, Gary says, “Thank god for Cochlear because it’s given me a new life.” With his cochlear implant, Gary enjoys listening to music again, conversing with family and friends, and laughing about the little things with Carol.
Watch Gary and Carol’s journey below to see how they got their life back after Gary received his cochlear implant.
Are you interested in watching the rest of “The Sound of Love” series? View more on our YouTube Channel.
If you or a spouse are straining to hear even with hearing aids, it might be time to look into a cochlear implant. Learn more today.
