Sandra’s sound story

Hi, my name is Sandra. I was born deaf with moderate hearing loss. This was noted when I was 18 months old.

I was fitted with a hearing aid when I was 2 and had intensive speech therapy until I was 5. I attended Glendonald Oral School for the Deaf for my education. One of my best memories from there is that there was a special room where the floor was re-stumped as a music room, and we were able to feel the vibrations on the floor for the sounds of music. Hence we were able to attend music halls for dances and feel the vibrations when we danced rock and roll in our young days.

In those days, employment was restricted in what we wanted to do or to be. I actually wanted to do nursing but that was crossed off the list. in those days all we could do was data entry. As the years went by I found that I was accepted to do voluntary work with St John Ambulance Australia and was with them for 47 years which includes me in teaching First Aid for deaf and hearing Impaired people across the Eastern side of Australia.

At the age of 35, after having giving birth to my two girls, I found that my hearing loss was much worse. It was later that it was discovered it was common to lose some hearing during pregnancy.

In 2002 I underwent an assessment to determine if I was suitable for implantation for a cochlear and the results came back positive. After the operation and the following switch on, I began my new world of hearing. The enjoyment of discovering new sounds was exciting and fun. The best sound I have heard in my life is the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks. And my learning continues.

In 2007 I had a second implant and this gives me the hearing that I need. I speak better and talk softer and can understand much more. I am still learning new sounds each day. I love talking to people about my journey and being involved with different organisations within the deaf and hearing impaired community. It is a joy for me to help others.