When does a trickle sound like a waterfall? After you get listening to aids, in line with Charlie Pierce.
“I spent so many years not hearing the things that I can hear now. I can hear the smallest noise in the next room,” he says. “It’s incredible.”
Charlie’s improved listening to has accomplished greater than amplify the sounds he hears ― it helped the 55-year-old begin a brand new profession.
Construction work and overcoming dependancy
For over 40 years, Charlie labored in building. But his profession was starting to take a toll on his physique, and he felt drawn to a distinct path — working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
“I started the application process to work for the TSA, but I talked myself out of it,” Charlie recollects, feeling that the timing wasn’t proper.
Charlie continued his job as a building superintendent in Tennessee. He additionally overcame a 38-year dependancy to medicine and alcohol, because of attending two dependancy restoration applications in 2019. He and spouse, Amy Pierce, have been married the next 12 months.
“Amy and I agreed that we wouldn’t make any other major life changes until I was a year sober,” he says.
Making a change
In September 2022, the Pierces determined to relocate to Faribault, Minnesota, to be nearer to household. When Charlie noticed an commercial for TSA positions on the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, he knew simply what to do.
“It seemed like a God moment that I was seeing it again, so I applied,” he says.
During the applying screening and medical examination course of, Charlie discovered that years of building and energy instruments had taken greater than only a toll on his muscle groups and joints. He had listening to loss that might probably exclude him from a TSA profession.
Time was of the essence for Charlie in addressing his listening to challenge. He knew that his software can be denied for medical causes if he failed the listening to check.
“I knew I needed to see someone right away,” he says. “I wasn’t just going to give up at that point.”
Audiology, listening to aids to the rescue
Per week later, Charlie’s listening to was evaluated by audiologist Dana McCray, Au.D., at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
“When Charlie arrived in my office, it was evident that it was extraordinarily important to him to get into TSA,” says Dr. McCray. “He shared some of his story with me and how he was really working hard to get on a better path.”
Dr. McCray totally examined Charlie’s listening to and found that his injury was totally different in every ear.
“In most cases when hearing changes, it happens equally, left and right,” says Dr. McCray. “His loss is milder on the left and moderately severe on the right. We may never really know what caused the greater loss for Charlie in just one ear.”
Dr. McCray defined the diploma of Charlie’s listening to loss to him and really useful listening to aids to enhance it. Hearing aids digitally course of incoming sounds. They make tender sounds extra audible whereas maintaining a restrict on the general output in order that the quantity isn’t too loud.
Charlie was fitted with listening to aids which have a small instrument behind the ear linked to a domed earpiece in every canal. Dr. McCray explains that this type is snug for individuals who put on glasses like Charlie. They are additionally well-suited for the sphere he wished to enter.
“Charlie needed something that would help him hear as clearly as possible in difficult environments with background noise,” says Dr. McCray. “His hearing aids are the same model in each ear, but they are programmed differently based on his hearing loss.”
Dr. McCray explains that some professions — together with building — enhance the chance of listening to loss attributable to loud noises from gear or devices used. Some different examples embody mechanics, truck drivers, farmers, manufacturing facility staff, surgeons and dentists.
“If your employer requires hearing protection on the job, use it. Noisy hobbies, like woodworking, hunting and engine repairs, should also include hearing protection when sound levels are high,” says Dr. McCray. “Hearing loss has an additive effect over a lifetime so preserving [hearing] early makes a difference.”
Moving ahead
Two weeks after his preliminary appointment, Charlie received his new listening to aids. Dr. McCray accomplished the mandatory paperwork and testing so he would clear the employment medical analysis. He was employed by the TSA and commenced coaching.
In July, Charlie was chosen to present the commencement tackle on the finish of TSA coaching. He shared his speech with Dr. McCray at a follow-up appointment.
“It was really moving to know that all his effort and hard work had brought him to that grand conclusion,” says Dr. McCray. “I am really proud of him.”
Charlie says he’s having fun with his new profession on the airport and is grateful for the experience of the Mayo Clinic Health System Audiology staff.
“The work that Dr. McCray did was above and beyond to help make all this stuff come to fruition for me,” he says. “She is like a master of her craft and knew exactly what we needed to do.”
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