Michelle Graves is our Wooster, OH recipient for the Campaign for Better Hearing Give Back Program. Michelle, who is a criminal justice recovery coach, finds it difficult to hear her clients due to her mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. Due to the pandemic, virtual and telephone meetings have increased. When these meetings are held in person, masks are worn, causing Michelle to have a hard time reading lips. Michelle needs to be able to communicate with her clients so they know she supports them, but it has become difficult due to hearing loss.
Michelle’s personal life has also been affected by her hearing loss. She hopes to be able to hear whispers, listen to television at a lower volume and, most importantly, understand her grandchildren and other family members when they speak to her.
“All these things might seem meaningless to someone that can hear,” said Michelle, “but for someone like me, it would make my heart smile just being able to feel included in a group conversation.”
After hearing her story, HearingLife decided to gift Michelle with brand-new hearing aids. New hearing aids will allow Michelle to serve her clients and speak with her family with even greater confidence.
Congratulations, Michelle!