Mother's Day is a time to celebrate the bonds that shape our lives. For Diane and her daughter Kaylagh, this bond has been uniquely fortified through their shared journey of overcoming hearing loss. This Mother's Day, they share with us their hearing journey and a renewed ability to be present in every moment with their family. Their proactive approach to managing their hearing loss has transformed their lives, enabling them not only to hear but truly listen—to the needs, stories, and dreams of their children and grandchildren.
The Silent Struggle: Recognizing and Confronting Hearing Loss
Two years ago, Diane was diagnosed with high-frequency hearing loss. She found herself increasingly isolated in social settings, unable to participate in conversations with her grandchildren, who would often say, “you’re not listening.” “It was very isolating,” Diane recalls, expressing her frustration at feeling excluded from the lively chatter of family gatherings.
Kaylagh’s hearing loss became apparent as she adjusted to motherhood. Needing subtitles to watch TV quietly while her baby slept, she eventually realized her hearing was diminishing. "I started adding subtitles to TV shows so the noise wouldn’t wake my baby. Over time, I realized I needed those subtitles because my hearing was declining," says Kaylagh. Her subsequent diagnosis mirrored her mother’s, highlighting the hereditary nature of their condition.
Their Journey to Better Hearing
Motivated by the desire to be fully present in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives, both Diane and Kaylagh decided to explore hearing aids. “It took me a while to book an appointment to have my hearing tested," Kaylagh admits, underlining the common challenge of prioritizing one's health amidst life's busyness.
Kaylagh found that hearing aids bridged the gap between her and her young children. "Getting used to the hearing aids took a bit, but finding the right fit made all the difference. Now, I can hear my children better, and it feels like I’m part of their world again," she reflects. Wearing hearing aids has allowed her to be fully present during crucial and everyday moments of her children's lives.
For Diane, the turning point came when her family expressed frustration over her hesitance to address her hearing loss. "They were frustrated at first because I wasn’t doing anything about it," Diane shares. Her decision to finally get hearing aids brought excitement and relief to her family, improving their interactions. Getting hearing aids was a crucial step toward reengaging with her family. "It’s been good. I’ve been able to engage in conversations I was missing before, and it’s strengthened my relationships with my grandkids," Diane explains. The ability to communicate without constantly asking for repetitions has allowed her to enjoy richer, more meaningful interactions.
Life with Genesis AI Hearing Aids
Kaylagh now enjoys the clarity her new hearing aids provide, especially with features like Edge Mode+ that allow her to manually or automatically adjust her hearing aids to the environment she's in. This feature makes places like conferences, church, and meetings much more accessible. "The Edge Mode+ is particularly helpful, adapting to various settings and ensuring I’m always part of the conversation," she notes.
“These days, I certainly notice a difference if I have woken up and not put my hearing aids in yet. It's wonderful to hear conversations clearly and not need to ask people to repeat themselves or to miss out on conversations because I don't have the opportunity to ask people to speak up. I didn’t realize how much I was missing until I got my hearing aids and could hear much more clearly. If I wake up without them, I find myself constantly asking my children to repeat themselves, and they usually say 'never mind.' That always prompts me to run upstairs and put my hearing aids in because I never want to miss out on what my children have to say, especially when my teenage boy, who opens up so rarely, decides to share. I don’t want to miss those precious moments,” she reflects.
Diane also cherishes the newfound inclusivity in her social and family life, making gatherings like church or sports events more inclusive and enjoyable. "I no longer feel isolated because I can't follow along. These hearing aids have truly opened up my world," Diane expresses. "I can hear clearer and pick up on responses a lot faster. Being able to distinguish between shrieks of laughter and play versus shrieks of frustration with my grandkids has made it easier to respond supportively,” she explains, emphasizing how this ability has deepened her connections and made her a more integral part of her grandchildren's lives.
Discovering a New World of Sound
"I would suggest that people don't wait. Having hearing aids is a wonderful support that can enrich your relationships as you're equipped to fully participate in conversations," Kaylagh advises.
"People don’t notice I have them, so if you are worried about people being able to see hearing aids or misconceptions that they will make you look old, know that they are so discreet, Being able to hear opens up a whole new world. There are so many sounds in nature and safety items that I couldn't hear before due to high-frequency hearing loss—it was not safe. I couldn’t hear alarms; there was so much I was missing out on, like the beauty of nature, and it wasn’t until I got the hearing aids that I realized the difference" Diane adds.
A Celebration of Connection
This Mother’s Day, Diane and Kaylagh are not just celebrating motherhood but also the gift of hearing that has brought them closer to their loved ones. They share their story to encourage others facing similar challenges to take action.
Their journey is a powerful testament to the role of communication in motherhood. It's about showing up completely, which starts with the ability to listen fully. As we celebrate mothers and grandmothers everywhere, let's remember the profound impact of connecting deeply with our loved ones, and how taking care of ourselves allows us to take care of others more effectively.