Hearpeers

Meet Peter, the parent of a CI user and a Hearpeers Mentor from Slovakia.

Peter’s son was diagnosed with hearing loss right after he was born, while they were still in the delivery room. Together with his wife, they made the decision to go for a cochlear implant right away.

“My wife and I were scared and depressed until we found out about the option of a cochlear implant, and we decided right away that he should get one,” Peter remembers.

Researching the experiences of other hearing implant users helped the couple to choose between manufacturers, which is why Peter became a Hearpeers Mentor.

Connect with Peter and other Hearpeers Mentors worldwide at: https://brnw.ch/21wKN2W

Sylke is a middle ear implant user and Hearpeers Mentor who supports others on their hearing journey. She also works as a communication trainer in Germany, where she helps people—with and without hearing loss—to improve their everyday communication skills.

“I want to share the knowledge and the experiences I have with others,” Sylke says, adding, “As Hearpeers Mentors, people who reach out to us place their trust in us. We should support them as much as we can.”

Sylke is one of many hearing implant users sharing their hearing journeys. Discover more of their inspiring stories at our website: https://brnw.ch/21wKJIH

Have you heard of bone conduction implants? These devices help people with conductive or mixed hearing loss who also have irreversible damage to their outer or middle ear.

Bone conduction implants help users hear by transmitting sound in the form of vibrations through to the inner ear—isn’t that amazing?

Are you interested in learning all about bone conduction implants? Check out our full article at: https://brnw.ch/21wKGxd

Meet Silvia, a cochlear implant user and Hearpeers Mentor from Italy.

Silvia’s hearing journey began when she was 14 months old. She was diagnosed with hearing loss, used hearing aids, and was supported by her parents with all kinds of rehabilitation tools available at the time.

A road accident caused further deterioration of her hearing and was a turning point for Silvia. At 17, she decided to get a cochlear implant.

“I was very conflicted about my decision at the beginning. In hindsight, I would have chosen a cochlear implant immediately without any doubts,” Silvia remembers.

With her cochlear implant, Silvia continued to follow her passion for volleyball and discovered a new one—music. “To anyone considering a cochlear implant, I would tell them that this courageous decision is a gift to yourself, a way of loving yourself, and a tool to help you live life to the fullest,” she says.

Connect with Silvia and other Hearpeers Mentors from all over the world at: https://brnw.ch/21wKC1Y

With the start of summer approaching, the excitement for beach trips, camping breaks, and time away from home is growing!

But hearing implant users might feel an extra level of stress while preparing for their holidays and may wonder: How do I fly with a cochlear implant? What supplies should I bring with me on my trip?

For all your questions, don’t fret! CI user and travel lover Caroline has shared her experiences and top tips in an article. To learn more, head to: https://brnw.ch/21wKxwe

Have you travelled with your CI? Let us know in the comments below!

While hearing aids can help people hear better, for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss, even the strongest hearing aids cannot deliver any benefits. That’s where cochlear implants come in!

Cochlear implant systems are made of the internal implant and the external audio processor. Cochlear implants can bring many benefits to the user, including speaking on the phone, attending mainstream school, and understanding speech in quiet and noisy settings.

Want to learn more about cochlear implantation and the journey to hearing with a cochlear implant? Read our full article about cochlear implants at: https://brnw.ch/21wKsxU

Pryscilla, a social media influencer from Mexico, decided to put her large following to good use after receiving a cochlear implant less than a year ago. She is determined to raise awareness of life with hearing loss and cochlear implants by posting about her own experiences. 💪

She’s had some special moments—like hearing her sister’s voice on the phone—as she goes through the hearing rehabilitation process. ✨

Want to learn more about Pryscilla’s journey back to hearing? Check out the full article at: https://brnw.ch/21wKj7i

Meet Juan Pablo, a BONEBRIDGE user and Hearpeers Mentor from Mexico.

After struggling for many years with ear surgeries and an uncomfortable bone conduction device, Juan Pablo made the switch to ADHEAR at age 32. He reflects: “I discovered the world of binaural hearing. I began to hear low intensity sounds that I previously could not recognise, identify, or differentiate.” 🎶 And now, he has received a BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant and is excited to see how his hearing progresses.

Why did Juan Pablo want to become a Hearpeers Mentor?
💬 He says, “There are uncertainties that other people may have, and I want to guide them and encourage them to use a hearing solution to enjoy sounds.”

Thanks for being part of the Hearpeers project, Juan Pablo!

Connect with Hearpeers Mentors around the world at: https://brnw.ch/21wKaQa

Jacqui struggled to work with hearing loss for many years. She felt she had few possibilities to work with people, so she decided to open a dog grooming business but still faced challenges. After Jacqui was referred to a hearing implant center, she felt that her struggles were finally understood. And she opted to receive a cochlear implant shortly after.

Since receiving her hearing implant, Jacqui’s life and business have transformed completely, and she has even won an award! Now, she encourages other people with cochlear implants to start their own business: “I’d say one hundred percent, do it.” 💪

🐩 Want to read Jacqui’s full story? Read our article at: https://brnw.ch/21wK62b

With temperatures rising and the season of swimming pools, lakes and seaside approaching, you might be wondering whether people with cochlear implants can still join you for a swim. 🏊

The fact is: Yes, they can! Swimming won’t damage the internal implant. So, they can either simply take off their audio processor before swimming or wear it with waterproof accessories. 💦

Read more common myths and facts about hearing implants here: https://brnw.ch/21wK1sl

👂 “How does hearing work?”

👩‍⚕️ “What types of hearing loss exist?”

👣 “What steps are included in the hearing journey?”

📖 Find the answers to all these questions in the Hearpeers Hearing Journal! From diagnosis to daily life with a hearing implant, it can help you navigate the hearing journey of yourself or a loved one.

To download our journal, head to: https://brnw.ch/21wJS0t

In honor of Dementia Awareness Week, we want to share some important information about the connection between hearing loss and dementia.

❓ The short answer?
❗ Yes, untreated hearing loss and dementia are connected. Some explanations for this link include the decreased auditory stimulation in the brain and that untreated hearing loss can cause greater levels of isolation.

The good news is—hearing is considered a modifiable risk factor for dementia. That means it can be controlled in many cases. To learn more about the connection between hearing loss and other health conditions, check out our full article at: https://brnw.ch/21wJNos

Hearpeers Mentors Jasmine and Patrik, from Switzerland, have shared their experiences raising children with and without hearing loss. 👨‍👦👩‍👧

Ever since the children in both their families were diagnosed with hearing loss and got cochlear implants, they no longer take hearing for granted. Today, Jasmine enjoys swimming with her daughter Clara, and Patrik is amazed by the sounds his son discovers during walks in the woods. ✨

Want to hear more about parenting children with hearing implants? Read the full story here: https://brnw.ch/21wJE5a

Hearpeers Mentors Patrik and Jasmine both live with their families in Switzerland. While Jasmine’s daughter Clara was born with hearing loss, Patrik’s son Liam lost his hearing after having pneumonia. Both children now hear with the help of cochlear implants.👩‍👧 👨‍👦

In our new article, Patrik and Jasmine share their experience of parenthood and the importance of exchanging with other people in the same situation.

Their top tip? Reach out to associations and people with first-hand experience—like a Hearpeers Mentor. “There are some things that you can only find out when talking to those affected. That is why open communication and connecting to other people in the same situation are so important – not only in the beginning but after too,” says Jasmine. Patrik agrees: “Talking to each other always gets you further!” 🤝

Head to our website to read the full article: https://brnw.ch/21wJzS4

Meet Darja, a CI user and Hearpeers Mentor from Slovenia.

Darja used hearing aids for more than 20 years. It was not until she joined Slovenian and international associations for people with hearing loss that Darja lost her fear and got cochlear implants. 💪

Sharing her experiences with others gave her the confidence to engage in raising awareness for hearing loss in public events, articles, and as a Hearpeers Mentor.

💬“The decision to get an implant is not an easy one,” Darja reflects, “However, there are plenty of options to get information about the decision-making process... Try to make the most of these opportunities!”

Connect with Darja and other Hearpeers Mentors from across the world at: https://brnw.ch/21wJvcV

A dream came true for cochlear implant user Louise from the UK when she crossed the finish line of the London Marathon in April 2024. 🏃‍♀️🏁

As a Hearpeers Mentor, she loves supporting others on their hearing journey. Now, she has become the center of a cheering crowd—and deservedly so.

💪 Congrats on this impressive achievement, Louise!

Find more inspiring hearing stories on our website: https://brnw.ch/21wJqyw

Join our supportive health community by signing up for our quarterly newsletter and stay in the loop with all things Hearpeers!

📬 Get the latest content, event, and community updates delivered right to your inbox. To sign up, head to: https://brnw.ch/21wJcsb

Today is International Noise Awareness Day, which was created to direct attention to the harmful effects of noise on hearing, health, and quality of life.

Everyone can take measure to protect their hearing, but the truth is that hearing loss often can’t be avoided. That’s why Hearpeers Mentors around the world share their stories about their journey to hearing and the sounds that have been unlocked for them by their hearing implant.

For Nashlea, it was hard to communicate with her children and on the phone—that’s why she decided to get a cochlear implant. In places with background noise, she just used to hear a fuzzy hissing, but now she can distinguish every single sound within the noise.

Next to music and cinema, Nashlea especially enjoys the sounds of nature: “I can hear the waves on the beach, the sound of the wind, the crickets at night, and the birds in the day,” she says.

Interested in reading more of Nashlea’s story? Head to our website to read the full article: https://brnw.ch/21wJ8ca

Meet Barbara, a CI user and Hearpeers Mentor from Argentina.

At age 3, Barbara lost most of her hearing and had trouble expressing herself. As hearing tests were not as common, she only received a diagnosis and began using hearing aids in second grade.

Once she found out she was a cochlear implant candidate, it took 5 years and filming her own movie to take the decision to get one – with an enormous impact on her life:

“Today, I feel like going out again, getting together with people, and working as a team. I even study singing now because I can hear my voice, which I could not before, and exploring it is priceless.”

As a Hearpeers Mentor, Barbara wants to give others the support that she would have wanted. “I believe that the testimony of someone who went through the same thing as you is much more powerful than what you can read or see on your own,” she says.

Connect with Barbara and other Hearpeers Mentors at: https://brnw.ch/21wJ34H

After Pryscilla’s hearing aids no longer helped her, she made the decision to get a cochlear implant. The social media influencer and sign language teacher notes that the two hearing devices are not comparable, and the biggest difference between them is that her cochlear implant has helped her hear more naturally.

Since Pryscilla already had a big audience on social media, she is now using her platform to raise awareness about hearing loss and cochlear implants. Her goal? “I want to help other people feel less afraid to get implanted.”

Want to read the full, new article about Pryscilla’s experience? Head to:

Pryscilla, a Hearpeers Mentor and CI user from Mexico, uses her social media platform to help people learn about hearing loss and cochlear implants.

The influencer believes access to communication is key, especially for those with hearing loss. So, she advises people to find access to communication in some form or another. Thanks for sharing your advice with us, Pryscilla!

Want to learn more about Pryscilla’s experience with cochlear implants? Read our new article at: https://brnw.ch/21wIU5a

Meet Lenka, Hearpeers Mentor and mother from a CI user from Czech Republic.

Her daughter Evelyn’s hearing loss diagnosis came as a shock. While she describes the moment of diagnosis as difficult and painful, seeing her daughter hear again was even more rewarding.

“We can see her developing beautifully with her cochlear implant,” says Lenka. Her daughter’s favorite sounds? “Probably the sound of cooking and her dad greeting her after work.”

Connect with Lenka and other Hearpeers Mentors from around the world at: https://brnw.ch/21wIP7q

Our Hearpeers Mentors are the heart of the Hearpeers project. They share their stories, raise awareness for life with a hearing implant and support others on their hearing journey.

In February 2024, 10 of them met up at MED-EL Headquarters in Innsbruck, Austria. They visited the hearing implant manufacturing site and exchanged stories, tips, and laughter with other Hearpeers Mentors from all over Europe.

“It was perfect,” says Per Simon, a CI user and Hearpeers Mentor from Norway, “I got to know other mentors and MED-EL employees. I appreciated that we could share stories and share our thoughts.”

Hear more about life with a hearing implant at: https://brnw.ch/21wILdC

Meet Tamrat, CI user and Hearpeers Mentor from Ethiopia.

Tamrat wants to raise awareness about the benefits of cochlear implants and give other people with hearing loss the confidence to make use of them.

Cochlear implants helped Tamrat come out of depression and anxiety. Now a Hearpeers Mentor, he wants to help others on their way to hearing so that they can enjoy listening to music, watching movies, and talking on the phone.

“I have done great things in my life, like communicating with people with all my heart,” he says, “So, if you’re considering an implant, you should do it—without a doubt.”

Connect with Tamrat and Herpeers Mentors from around the world at: https://brnw.ch/21wIC5n

In honor of World Health Day this Sunday, we wanted to talk about how hearing is an important part of your health and is connected to many other parts of people's health. From heart disease and cognitive decline to falls and chronic kidney disease, looking after hearing can benefit additional aspects of their health—and vice versa!

One way to do this is to have your hearing checked by a professional regularly. How do you look after your hearing? Let us know in the comments! To read our full article about why hearing and other health conditions are connected, head to: https://brnw.ch/21wIxkT