Testimonials

Real Stories. Real Impact.

Voices from our community that inspire awareness, inclusion, and change.

THAIS GUERRA B.S., RN

Bilateral Hearing Loss

This story reflects the experience of Thais Guerra, who discovered their hearing loss in elementary school but didn’t receive hearing aids until seventh grade, navigating much of childhood without formal accommodations. Though born hard of hearing and raised in a supportive family where communication felt natural, they later realized the broader challenges of living with hearing loss, especially in group settings, loud environments, and professional spaces. Conversations in noisy rooms, unclear instructions, and the constant effort to keep up were often exhausting and isolating. Now more confident and aware, she advocates for herself, greater inclusion, communication accessibility, and patience, stressing that being hard of hearing is just one part of who they are, not a limitation. With friends who support her in simple ways, such as repeating things, turning on subtitles, or learning sign language, and workplaces that offer accommodations, she thrives. Her story is a reminder that small acts of awareness can make a difference. Most importantly, people with hearing loss belong fully in every space, every conversation, and every opportunity.

JASPER MILES BSc

Bilateral Hearing Loss

This story shares the journey of Jasper Miles, who became bilaterally deaf as a toddler and developed a severe form of cholesteatoma into adulthood. In Jasper’s case, he was bound to have hearing loss sooner or later. With cochlear implants from an early age, he faced challenges in school—from noisy classrooms to feeling different—but everything changed when he found confidence over time. Surrounded by supportive friends who took the time to understand his circumstances, they embraced his deaf identity with pride. Now, he strongly believes in the need for more awareness about cochlear implants, emphasizing that deaf individuals often miss out on vital communication when people do not understand how to be inclusive. He spoke passionately about how small acts, like facing someone when speaking or not saying “never mind,” can make a world of difference. His message is clear: hearing loss does not limit you—it can strengthen confidence, perspective, and self-advocacy, especially when the people around you choose to communicate with care and awareness.

LEANNE DABAH B.S.

Unilateral Hearing Loss

Leanne Dabah reflects on a deeply personal journey of living with hearing loss, first discovered in elementary school when she could not hear anything from her right ear during a routine hearing test. That moment marked the beginning of years spent in confusion and tribulation, worrying about what others might think, unsure of utilizing hearing aids, and struggling with the emotional weight of feeling different. It was not just about not hearing—it was about feeling misunderstood, left out, and sometimes embarrassed. Over time, she has grown into her truth, learning to tell people upfront about her hearing loss and finding strength in the compassion of friends and coworkers who accommodate her without judgment and include her without hesitation. Through that vulnerability, she has come to see that hearing loss awareness is not just about recognition—it is about empathy, dignity, patience, and creating space where people feel seen, respected, and supported exactly as they are.