This year, for the first time, Sharon Atkins heard her cat meow.
"You should see some of the conversations we've been having," she joked. "I had always seen his mouth move but never knew what that sounded like."
Thanks to the latest technology in hearing aids and help from Providence Speech and Hearing Center, Atkins is hearing the world as she never thought she could.
Providence helped Atkins, who suffers from a rare degenerative hearing disorder, pay for new hearing aids that allow her to pick up sounds she hasn't been able to detect in more than 30 years.
Atkins can now distinguish background music from the voice singing the lyrics and is able to hear conversations in somewhat noisy places when before, the many voices would meld together.
"I'm having fun getting more enjoyment out of watching "American Idol" and "The X Factor," she said. "I can't wait to try these out on the dance floor."
Orange-based Providence Speech and Hearing Center is one of eight local charities benefitting from the Register's Season of Caring campaign. All proceeds raised will go to the organizations. Providence helps children and adults who suffer from various speech or hearing disorders.
Atkins started to lose her hearing at age 13. She returned from summer camp and complained her ears felt clogged. She woke up one day and her hearing was gone.
"I remember I turned on the shower and couldn't hear the water running," she said. "I freaked."
Her hearing returned but slowly got worse.
One doctor said it was tonsillitis; another told her she had attended one too many concerts. Atkins was about 20 years old when doctors discovered she was suffering from degenerative hearing loss.
A handful of doctors and two other hearing centers later, Atkins found herself at Providence Speech and Hearing. That was more than 10 years ago.
She gets yearly evaluations to check on the progression of her hearing loss.
About six months ago, Atkins said a new type of hearing aid was introduced but the cost was too high at $2,300. Her medical insurance does not cover it.
"Then I got the best Christmas present I've ever received," she said. "They had a grant available for people just like me. I still cry when I think about it."
Providence paid more than half the cost of her new hearing aids.
Atkins said she hopes her story will help others like her struggling with how to pay for hearing aids.
"I would hate to see somebody say they can't afford it when there is help out there," she said. "Without Providence, I wouldn't have hearing."

(by ocregister.com)

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