Discovering a community. Discovering other options.
Heidi began learning more about the hearing loss community and was recommended the group Ear Community, a non profit organization that offers a supportive environment for individuals born with microtia and atresia. The community provides support through their online Facebook group as well as annual picnics around the country.
Through her involvement with Ear Community, Heidi met other parents and bone anchored hearing system (BAHS) users and found that feedback was a common issue.
“We were having a lot of feedback issues. Some moms were commiserating about it and then there was one mom whose daughter had bilateral Ponto’s and she did not experience anything, so I started looking into the Ponto devices.”
The Ear Community picnics were where Heidi became familiar with Oticon Medical and her daughter was able to try on a Ponto device for the first time.
“It didn’t sound echoey. It was just clear. I was flat out convinced. Then the more and more that I learned about the company I was even more impressed. It really felt like Oticon Medical stood by their motto ‘People First’.”
Choosing the Ponto 3 on a softband and starting kindergarten off with better hearing
When it was time for Rosalee to upgrade from her current bone anchored hearing device, she tested the Ponto 3 on a softband and said “yes” to switching to the Ponto. Heidi notes that before, it was difficult to get Rosalee to wear her device, but since switching she hasn’t complained once about the softband being uncomfortable or sore, making the transition very easy and enjoyable.
Overall, Heidi and Rosalee notice huge improvements in not only sound, but form and function. With the different skins available for customization of the Ponto, Rosalee says the Ponto fits her style, and she is excited to be able to speak on the phone using her Streamer.
“Rosalee was so excited to be able to talk on the phone. She thought it was magic”.
Advice to parents from a member of the hearing loss community
Since beginning this hearing care journey with her daughter, Heidi has served on the board of Ear Community for three years, and is now a full time staff member. Additionally, she served on the board for the Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and was chosen as a parent representative for Idaho to attend the EHDI conference - an early hearing detection and intervention conference. To all parents looking to learn about hearing options for themselves or their child with hearing loss, she recommends trying all your options, on your child and yourself, to help you make the most informed decision for your family.