Kevin Hotaling is a sophomore at Stonehill College who got his Ponto Plus on October 13, 2014. When we saw Kevin’s video, we just had to meet him. We knew you’d feel the same.
So, here’s Kevin to tell you a bit of his story:
I originally found out about Ponto through one of my mother’s coworkers. She didn’t have the Ponto, but she had a very similar bone anchored hearing aid procedure done, and she’s had results that were nothing short of stellar. I was nervous originally. Although surgery was nothing new to me, the idea of someone drilling into my skull was very unsettling. In addition to that, I hadn’t heard of any people my age who had ever gotten the procedure done. I had only ever heard of adults and small children owning the system, never a teenager. I was given the opportunity to test the device using a headband, and immediately, I noticed a massive difference in my hearing quality.
Connie Kehoe, a seasoned Oticon Medical Ponto Pro user, explains how taking the steps to improve her hearing was a chance for bold new adventures.
After experiencing 20 years of hearing loss, Connie was ready to overcome to exhaustion of working to hear people in groups and in noise filled environments– including her own grandchildren.
Learn more about the Ponto Plus here. Do you have questions for Connie? Let us know in the comments section below.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us to fight for big things! We know that you’ve had to overcome the struggle of hearing loss for yourself or for your child. We also know that hearing loss impacts quality of life and relationships, so it’s no small matter.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, please share how you have overcome or are in the process of overcoming your struggle in the comments section below– we’d love to add your story to this post. It’s not not an easy journey, let’s keep inspiring each other!
We had the opportunity to talk to Bethany about her experience with the Ponto System. Here, she shares a real account of how she’s found that the Ponto fills a void that hearing loss created.
Do you have questions for Bethany or other Ponto users? Let us know in the comments section below, on Twitter or Facebook.
Alison Sabbar explains why and how audiologists and patients can capitalize on the quality and ease-of-use of the Ponto System. In the video below she expands on the following points:
Surgery: Minimal techniques are now most common, and patients are extremely satisfied with surgical outcomes.
Speech Guard: The Ponto is equipped with technology that helps preserve the natural speech envelope and also offers a feedback manager.
User-friendly: The processor has easy-to-press buttons and volume control that’s easy to manipulate.
Natural Sound Quality: So many patients tell us that a lot of times they don’t even remember they have it on.
We love the fun fact that Alison shared, did you catch it? The Ponto is designed to look like the ear’s pinna.
Do you have a question about the Ponto System? Let us know in the comments section below or on Facebook or Twitter, and Alison will answer your question!
Kris Siwek suddenly lost her hearing after being diagnosed with a tumor at age 29. Here’s how she decided on the Oticon Medical Ponto system, and the results after becoming a long-term user.
“It’s a part of me, and it’s an extension of me. I put it on in the morning and don’t think about it again until I take it off at night, ” Kris explains in the video below.
Want to learn more about Kris’s story? You can read more here and watch our Google+ Hangout On Air with Kris here. Have a question? Let us know in the comments section below.
You may have read Jim’s story on the Oticon Medical website. But, there’s nothing like hearing the story directly from the source. Here’s how Jim describes his experience, and his advice to those looking to try a bone anchored hearing system.
I’ve counseled over 70 people individually in the last two years, plus many others at user meetings and online groups. When you read my story, you’ll see that a doctor’s error caused my Single-Sided Deafness (SSD). It took me some time to get over that and focus my energy on overcoming my deafness.
Fortunately, my doctor got another user to advise me. When everything eventually worked out well, I made up my mind to help other people like she helped me.
I had my surgery in early May 2010. When I decided to have the surgery, I chose the Ponto. I always tell people who are considering bone anchored hearing systems to do what I did– try both manufacturers. I tried both the Cochlear and the Oticon Medical units on a headband, and I felt that I got more intelligible volume with the Oticon Medical Ponto Pro. Second, I thought it looked much better and was easier to conceal in my hair, which I wanted to do.
Since then, with all the users groups I’ve participated in, I’ve developed a list of many benefits that the Ponto has over others.
In 2011, I acted as a tester for Oticon Medical’s new Ponto Pro Power while it was in development. Because I was a tester, and because I had become very active in their user groups, I got to keep my prototype Ponto Pro Power unit.
I can tell you that the Ponto Pro Power has even better volume and has zero feedback issues– it was a great addition to the Oticon Medical product offering.
As a potential Oticon Medical customer, current user thinking of upgrading or a parent looking for a solution, you can send me any questions you have about surgery, the processors, insurance….whatever, I’ll be pleased to answer them.
If you’d like to contact Jim please let us know in the comments section below, on Twitter or through a personal message on Facebook or by email.
Are you thinking of getting an upgraded processor? There’s no better time than now, we now have a special offer.
