HEARING AID FUNDRAISER for Shaira Cruz

HEARING AID FUNDRAISER FOR  EDUCATOR & COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

 

I'm Shaira and in the summer of 2021 I experienced sudden hearing loss on my left ear. At first I treated it with medicine but as it got worse, I visited an ENT doctor and got an auditory test. Unfortunately, the results were alarming with moderate sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) on the left ear, severe SNHL and poor threshold on the right, and frequency level issues. The tests demonstrated that I was hearing below average compared to people of my age.

 

How did it happen? I am still not sure despite a series of auditory tests and MRI Scan. However, I am sure that it is impacting my day to day life.

 

As a teacher, being able to hear my students is so important to me. Teaching during a pandemic is difficult enough, but trying to strain my ears to hear the soft voices of my students through their mask has made it even more challenging. Class discussions and engaging activities I usually do in class have become ten times harder.

 

I am also an immigrant community organizer and church leader. I volunteer at a monthly free food distribution and facilitate educational workshops. I value the conversations I have with community members. My hearing loss has posed an obstacle in my ability to do that and continue outreach in the community.

 

Given the significant hearing loss, my doctor recommended a hearing aid. One pair of hearing aids cost at least $6,000. New Jersey is among the 45 states in the USA where insurance companies do not cover the cost for adults.

 

Currently, I am unable to afford the hearing aid so I am asking you to please help me cover the cost with however much you can donate. It would be an amazing Christmas gift to be able to hear with clarity and even the smallest of donations are appreciated.

 

I am filled with so much love and gratitude for the time you took to share this Go Fund Me page, donating, or even reading my story!