MM10 - Interview with Chris Stern

One of our regular readers, Chris Stern, shared a story a few months back after submitting a photo into our "What I'm Thankful For" photo contest. This story, led to on-going discussions which have blossomed into a joint effort between Chris, Towner Jones Photography, and Jason Moore Photography to raise money and awareness for Walk4Hearing and the Hearing Loss Association of America.

We'll be announcing a special project Chris, Jason and I have been working on later in the week, but for today's MM10, I asked Chris a couple of questions (actually 11, instead of 10 - sorry) about his experiences. That interview follows:

TJP: How old were you when it was first discovered that you had a hearing impairment, and what was the extent of the hearing loss?

CS: I was first diagnosed with a hearing impairment at 18 months old and suffered severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.   

TJP: As a child what was life like? How were you treated by friends and family?

CS: As a child, I was the same as any kid in the neighborhood and did all the same things they did.

I started going to the McGrath School in Worcester where I had exceptional teachers who cared about their students.  The only difference was that the kids in my class were deaf and I was hearing impaired with exceptional speech.  Around 4th grade, my parents fought to get me the best possible education by attending many meetings and convince the school systems on where I should go.  With their hard work and determination, I was able to graduate from public elementary, middle, high school and attend a state college.

My family and friends treated me no differently than anyone else.  They encouraged me and stood by my side through the good and bad times. 

TJP: What was your initial reaction when you were told that you might be a candidate for cochlear implants?

CS: I was very excited about the possibility of receiving cochlear implants as I heard so many great things about the technology from my audiologist.  I knew this technology would provide me an opportunity to hear more than I did with hearing aids.   

TJP: Can you describe the technology for the nerds in the audience?

CS: The Nucleus cochlear implant system works by picking up sound through tiny microphones on the sound processor, and converting the sound into digital signals. The implant (internal component) uses those signals to stimulate hearing nerve in your inner ear - which is how you hear sound.  (Information provided by Cochlear Americas)

For more information on how Cochlear Implants work, please visit the following website:

http://products.cochlearamericas.com/cochlear-implants/introduction-to-cochlear-implants/hearing-cochlear-implants 

TJP: Describe the night before your surgery? What thoughts were going through your mind? What were you anticipating?

The night before my surgery I was full of apprehension and anticipation.  I was thinking about what life would be like with a cochlear implant and what I may or may not be able to hear after the surgery.  I had high expectations for the world of sound that a cochlear implant would offer.  

TJP: What was it like after the surgery when you first used the implants? Do you have any special memories of this moment?

CS: When I went into get my first cochlear implant activated, the first thing I heard was a ticking sound and could not figure out what it was.  My audiologist pointed out to me that the sound was from the clock hanging on the wall.  To put this into perspective, prior to surgery I was not able to hear the clock ticking with hearing aids.

Another special moment was when I went on a ride with my in-laws.  We pulled over to the side of the road and my mother-in-law asked if I heard the sound outside the vehicle.  The sound was of a cricket chirping and it was the first time I had heard one.  The power of this technology is amazing and I can only imagine what is in store for the future. 

TJP: Where do you now rank the sense of hearing relative to the other senses?

Since I have always had the use of hearing aids and now cochlear implants, the sense of hearing is a very important part of my life.  In addition to hearing, I rely on my eyesight to read lips when necessary.

TJP: How has dealing with a hearing impairment shaped your view of the world?

CS: My hearing impairment has given me a lot of determination to succeed in life.  Over the course of my life, I have faced many obstacles related to my hearing impairment.  I have always faced those obstacles head on, determined to overcome them.

When I was in high school, I never thought I would go to college and graduate.  Thankfully, Westfield State College offered a great assistive learning program for the hearing impaired and learning disabilities.  With the help of this program, I was able to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Business.   

TJP: Do you have advice for others facing situations like what you went through?

CS: My advice to anyone who has any type of hearing loss is to get in contact with a certified audiologist to have your ears tested as soon as possible.  Once tested, your audiologist can make a determination of the next steps that would be appropriate for you based on your test results.

For anyone considering cochlear implants, don’t get discouraged with the process.  It took me eight months and three hearing tests to qualify for my first cochlear implant.   The end result was well worth the wait.  

TJP: How did you get involved with Walk4Hearing? What are your goals for this year? 

CS: I found out about the Walk4Hearing while surfing the internet as I wanted to find a way to give back after receiving my first cochlear implant.  I participated in the Walk4Hearing event in 2007 and raised over $2100 for the Hearing Loss Association of America. The walk itself was amazing as I was able to connect with so many people who were deaf or suffered hearing loss.  In addition, everyone shared one common goal which was to raise money for the hearing loss community.

This year my goals is to raise over $2000 and to raise awareness about hearing loss by reaching as many people as I can through the various projects I am working on. 

TJP: What can we do to support you and other folks with hearing impairments?

CS: The best thing people can do to help support me and others with hearing impairments is to make a donation to the Walk4Hearing.  Your donation will be helping the Hearing Loss Association of America and the local chapters to provide assistance and resources for people with hearing impairments and their families.  

Thanks Chris for sharing your experiences with us. Make sure you check back to see what you can do to help, and the exciting plans we have in store.