Hearing clearly, living fully: Mary's story

For Wellington-based Communications professional Mary, sound has always been a big part of life. When she’s not working, you’ll find her writing, meditating, or listening to her favourite music — a treasured pastime that now feels even richer thanks to her new hearing aids.

“I’ve always loved listening to music on my headphones,” Mary says. “It’s my favourite way to relax — and now I’m lucky to do so with the clarity of my new hearing aids.”

A lifelong challenge, managed with resilience

Jennifer’s mild hearing loss has been with her since birth, and she has attended hearing clinics since she was a young child.

“I was given hearing aids as a teenager,” she explains, “But in true teenager style, I refused to wear them at school.”

It wasn’t until her twenties that Mary realised how much difference hearing aids could make to her life.

“When I finally started wearing them, I realised the multiple benefits in doing so — and I never looked back.”

Breaking free from isolation

Before getting hearing aids, Mary often felt isolated and frustrated in social situations where she felt like she didn’t know what was going on in the world around her. This included at home with family and when spending time with her friends.

“I’d ask someone to repeat themselves and they’d say, ‘Don’t worry!’ as if it didn’t matter,” she recalls. “But when you have hearing loss, that means you’ve missed the information — and that can make you feel cut off from others.”

Today, that’s all changed. Mary shares how she can now go into a crowded restaurant with friends and follow the conversation with minimal difficulty. She can even stream her music directly through her hearing aids using the Bluetooth function. Mary reinforces how the hearing aids have made a massive difference to every area of her life.

The cost of hearing clearly

As Jennifer explains, hearing aids are life-changing — but they come with a price tag.

“The technology is incredible, but it’s really expensive. Realistically, I can only afford to replace them every 10 years or so.”

When her Audiologist suggested she apply for the Hearing Aid Fund, Mary didn’t hesitate.

“We were both thrilled when I was awarded the funding. It meant I could upgrade to the latest model — something I couldn’t have done on my own. These new hearing aids are brilliant, and very much worth the learning curve.”

Gratitude that speaks volumes

Jennifer is quick to acknowledge the people who made her upgrade possible.

“Thank you! I’m so grateful to have been a recipient of this funding. My hearing aids are vital to help me function at work and in my social life. Please know that your generosity really does change lives — I couldn’t live without my new ‘ears’.”

Mary also hopes others with hearing loss will seek out support as she has. She shares how hearing therapy sessions have also taught her many useful tips — like where to sit in a busy restaurant so she can hear the best, or how to wear her hearing aids while playing sport. She’d recommend these sessions to anyone with hearing loss.

Mary’s story is why the Hearing Aid Fund exists

For people like Mary, the cost of hearing shouldn’t come at a cost to their quality of life. Every donation to the Hearing Aid Fund helps another New Zealander reconnect with the world around them — to hear, to laugh, to work, to belong.

Donate now to the Hearing Awareness Month Appeal