Jodi’s Hearing Journey

When starting your hearing health journey, it can be anxiety-inducing to not know what the road ahead holds. Rest assured that no matter where you are in your hearing health journey, there’s someone that has been through it before – like me! 

I have dealt with tinnitus and hearing challenges since I was a young child and can tell you firsthand that investing in hearing care helped me tremendously in the pursuit of hearing the life I love and lead now. 

Childhood Challenges and the Onset of Hearing Issues 

My journey with hearing loss began as a child with a long series of orthodontic treatments. I struggled with crooked teeth and a receding jaw, which led to over eight years of orthodontic work, including several jaw manipulations that unfortunately resulted in my jaw locking and cracking.  

I had severe tinnitus by the time I was in high school. The persistent ringing became a constant barrier, drowning out conversations and making normal interactions difficult.  

Despite seeking help from renowned specialists in Toronto, the only solution seemed to be risky jaw surgery – an option I wasn't ready to take. 

My Introduction to Hearing Aids 

It was during this challenging period that my parents took me to see a hearing instrument specialist, who diagnosed me with moderate bilateral hearing loss.  

At the time, only analogue hearing aids were available, rudimentary devices adjusted manually with screwdrivers. Despite their crudeness, they were my first step toward improved hearing, even if they were terrible!  

As the years passed and my hearing deteriorated to a profound loss, technology evolved, offering me access to digital aids that were nothing short of life-changing. 

Transforming Daily Life with Modern Hearing Aids 

My first pair of hearing aids opened an entirely new world to me. The simple pleasures of hearing birds chirp or crickets sing, even hearing the brakes squeal on buses, made me cry the first times I heard them. I'd never realized what I was missing until I heard the world in full stereo.  

Most importantly, hearing aids allowed me to relish the little sounds my son made as a baby – moments I treasure deeply, especially now as we have full conversations together as adults.  

Professionally, hearing aids enabled me to thrive in environments that were previously challenging, transforming both my social and work life dramatically. 

Addressing Misconceptions and Advocating for Acceptance 

Even today, especially in my profession, I see how reluctance toward hearing aids persists, especially among older generations who fear social stigma. They are apprehensive despite embracing other aids like glasses or canes to help them in their everyday interactions.  

But I feel a sense of pride when I see others with hearing aids and know the positive impact they have experienced. I always have new coloured hearing aids, and I get such lovely feedback – bedazzle them and have fun!  

Hearing aids can be such a positive change, and over time, I've become an advocate for these devices, showing others how life-enhancing they can be and encouraging clients in our practice to embrace this change with enthusiasm. 

How Personal Experience Fuels My Professional Mission 

I remember working the front desk here at Hearing Aid Source and recommending hearing aids every chance I could.

I encourage everyone not to hesitate in seeking aid—just as one would with glasses—because the ability to hear is integral to living fully and richly.  

Hearing is life, and when that’s taken away, we’re lucky to have the chance to optimize our hearing with advanced technology far beyond what I started my hearing health journey with. 

My goal is to ensure that clients realize they aren't just purchasing devices but investing in a vastly improved quality of life.