As Alison and Stu were planning their wedding, they knew that an important part of their celebration was ensuring that Alison’s grandmother (Nan) could hear well throughout the day.
Alison came to the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association – Newfoundland and Labrador (CHHA-NL) to borrow a piece of technology that could be used by Nan for better hearing.
Did You Know? 1 in 5 Canadians aged 20 to 79 have a measured hearing loss, increasing to 65% of those ages 70-79.
Hearing Life’s Special Moments
Their planned wedding ceremony was taking place outdoors and there was no sound system outside, so together with CHHA-NL’s hearing loss support specialists, Alison and Stu decided to borrow a wireless FM listening system.
The wireless listening system allows the speaker (in this case the wedding officiant) to transmit sound directly from a lapel-worn microphone straight to the listeners’ ears. Nan wore a receiver with a pair of earbuds to hear the ceremony clearly. Alison involved her officiant in the process to ensure that he understood how to use the FM system so that everything went smoothly.
“I wanted my grandmother to feel included and realize how much she means to me and to our entire family. It meant the world to me to have her there and watching her filled with pride and emotion is something I will never forget. She was able to enjoy every moment because she could hear”
On a sunny, breezy Newfoundland day in July, we feel certain that Nan had not only the best seat, but also the best audio in the house for the wedding ceremony and the reception that followed.
Every year, the CHHA-NL invests approximately $10,000 in new and updated technology for the Hearing Assistive Technology lending program. The program allows anyone in Newfoundland and Labrador to borrow and try technology such as personal amplifiers, telephones, TV listening systems, and alerting systems for FREE to see if it works well for them, prior to purchasing, and to make life’s special and everyday events more hearing accessible.
In 2016, the CHHA-NL supported individuals and families with over 1100 interactions as part of the client services and technology lending program. The number is already growing.
To date in 2017, over 1200 interactions with individuals and families have happened through the CHHA-NL client services and technology lending program.
1 in 5 adults in our Province experience hearing loss. Your contribution to the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association – Newfoundland and Labrador benefits your family members, friends and others in your community.
Your gift can also be mailed to:
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association – Newfoundland and Labrador (CHHA-NL)
1081 Topsail Road
Mount Pearl, NL A1N 5G1
Photography Credit: Sandra Lee Photography