Lachie, who recently graduated with a law degree, attributes his cochlear implant to helping him reach his full potential.
“Thanks to my cochlear implant, I was able to travel half way around the world studying and doing my OE like so many other Kiwis before me. I now have the ability to choose whatever path I want to take in life.”
Auckland toddler Rhythm Goyal (three)
Rhythm is profoundly deaf and has two cochlear implants. He now loves music, particularly Bollywood music, and is learning words in English, Hindi, Maori and Spanish. His mum, Rachna, says the implants have had a significant difference.
“He knows they are very powerful for him. He calls them his electric ears. I think he’ll have a bright future. He will do very well in life.”
Christchurch mum of three Nikki Cleine
Nikki Cleine received a cochlear implant in 2011, after being profoundly deaf for nearly 10 years. She can now hear her children, work, socialise and participate in society.
Says Nikki: “The day my cochlear implant was switched on was one of the best days of my life. I could hear my kids. I had never heard anything my three-year-old said, ever. I just felt so full of hope.”
You can read other patient stories here and view the Loud Shirt Days FAQs here.
The Hearing House is based in Auckland and provides services to families living north of Turangi, and the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme is based in Christchurch and Wellington to provide services to families in the rest of the country. Loud Shirt Day donations go to the region in which they were raised.
To find out more, head to the Loud Shirt Day website and join their Facebook community.
