My name is Velanche, and this is my story.

I have congenital hearing loss (aka, hearing loss since birth), which has been worsening over time. My hearing loss is in the moderate-to-mildly-severe range. Imagine spending your whole life this way, being challenged at times by conversations and voices that could not be fully heard or deciphered.

In spite of the challenge,  I'm a DJ on radio, a DJ in the clubs, and also in the middle of learning music production. I eventually would like to learn to play the piano. It might seem strange for a hearing-impaired person like me, but music is a deep passion for me..

Until about two years ago, I have worn analog hearing aids. I was then asked to try out a pair of digital hearing aids. They were entry-level, but immediately it was noticeable in terms of what I'm able to hear. Then about three months ago, during a DJ gig to commemorate the life of music artist Prince, who passed away days earlier, I removed one of the hearing aids because the battery died. I didn't have a replacement battery with me, and frankly was getting nervous about the prospect of DJing with a single hearing aid. I accepted that the other hearing aid was gone. Lost. When left with only one hearing aid, it becomes very challenging, and somewhat demoralizing, feeling like I’m half myself.

Some time later, I was planning on attending a pictorial exhibit that I was part of, a cultural event featuring images and stories of people of different ethnicities. That morning, my other hearing aid stopped working.  I called a nearby hearing aid dispenser that carried the brand I had, but it did not accept the insurance I have.  After a Google search, I found a place in town that carried the brand and accepted insurance, but I wasn't going to be eligible to use the insurance for another year.

I called the place, and then made the short trip after talking. Fortunately, the nice specialist was able to clean the hearing aid; there was trapped residue causing the battery to not connect properly with the aid's contact. Relieved that it was working again, she wanted to know if I might be interested in trying a new type of digital hearing aid, since the model that I have, she found, had been discontinued.

For the next hour, she ran a series of specialized tests. I caught on that what she was doing was calibrating a special pair of digital hearing aids; I was able to hear things that otherwise were very challenging, especially whispers. Also, I was able to hear music through them, in stereo, without having to remove them. I was told that because they would pair up with my iPhone, I would be able to listen to the podcasts and audiobooks (and I listen to them both daily), do music production, and DJ....all without having to take off the hearing aids. There were several different levels that I could choose from on the aids, and all were custom calibrated to different types of sounds.

They were AMAZING!!! I was very much willing to take them out for a spin, because I was very close to doing so.

Then, I was brought back to earth.

First, the total for the pair of hearing aids (Including them working with my iPhone), the visits to the specialist, the calibrations, and other ancillary costs, were closing in on $7,000. At the moment, I felt a big letdown. In the end, I’ve given back the amazing aids, walked out with the hearing aid that I had. I was disappointed that they were out of reach for me, and disappointed that I had to revert to something that, in comparison, was less. Not even near optimal.

The hearing aid in question is a brand called NuEar, and the model is the Behind-The-Ear, Made for iPhones hearing aids (see:  http://www.nuear.com/hearing-aids/made-for-iphone-hearing-aids/receiver-in-canal). These are top dollar, but they are top quality, and as I mentioned before, the sounds they are able to pick up are amazing; I feel, well...Much. Less. Helpless. Empowered, even.

Those who know me know that you have to pull teeth to get me to reach out to ask others for help, but I feel that this is so very important, life-affirming and life-changing.  A friend of mine, a disability specialist at Cal Poly SLO, thought that I should give it a try.

So that's what I'm doing; reaching out to you. My ability to hear is important. My ability to hear others clearly is even more important. All of this, while pursing my musical dreams for both me and others.

It's your call, your turn. So the saying goes, “It takes a village.”

I really appreciate your taking the time to read my words, and I hope that they will inspire you for your generous support. Thank you.

Peace.