How many of you wear hearing aids or cochlear implants? Do you like the way they look—do you show them off with gusto?
Join me in my awareness campaign
SHOW ME YOUR EARS
To Promote Deaf and Hearing Loss Community Awareness
Watch the Show Me Your Ears video here
The idea is simple:
1) Take a picture of your ears, hearing aids, and/or cochlear implants. Even if you don’t wear anything in your ears, take a picture.
2) Click Here to email your photo to Lipreading Mom. Include the subject line: Show Me Your Ears. Include your first name, name of your hearing aids or cochlear implant product (if applicable), and how long you have worn them.
3) Watch my blog in the coming weeks. Your photo may be featured!
Sounds easy, doesn’t it?
Lipreading Mom also promotes Show Me Your Ears on Twitter (#ShowMeYourEars). Please visit my Twitter page (@LipreadingMom), and help spread the word by sharing this page with your friends.
I have blogged extensively about my progressive hearing loss on this site and my initial reluctance to wear hearing aids or show them off to anyone. I was afraid of what people would think about them. Would they think I was unable to communicate with them? Would they ignore me?
I made a decision: I am going to embrace my hearing loss. I’m going to show my hearing aids to the world. And so I do!
It’s me…Lipreading Mom!
Here is a post I wrote a while back about my initial fear of showing my ears….
It took me two years before I’d let this much of myself show.
My bottle blonde hair
and palette of cosmetics
usually help me blend in with the other moms
who drive their children to sporting events
on a warm summer afternoon.
I turn the wheel,
hoping to avoid the stark reflection
that stares back in the rearview mirror.
A profile of me with the low ponytail says it all:
There is something different about me.
I am wearing hearing aids…
You Don’t Have to Have Hearing Loss to Show Me Your Ears!
“Showing you my ears! I have a brother who lost hearing in one of his ears after getting hit in the ear by a playground ball in elementary school. I have to remember that he turns his head to hear others when they speak. I love what you’re doing.” -Elizabeth, open-heart surgery survivor
Read What This Mom Had to Say about Show Me Your Ears
“I am 36 years old with a progressive loss that started at birth but was not diagnosed until age 10. First hearing aids were received at age 10, but refused to wear them throughout high school and college. I embraced implantation because I wanted to hear my children laugh. Implanted with a Nucleus Esprit 3g when I was 25. My son was 2 and daughter 6 months old. I can hear my children laugh, birds sing, rain on the window, and much much more. Whoever knew hearing could sound so beautiful? Be proud and SHOW THOSE EARS!” -Corby
SHOW ME YOUR EARS– THESE FOLKS HAVE!
Tom, whose ear is pictured in three photos above, writes, “The collages of ears are photos I’ve collected (cut/paste) into a huge 100+ page document – they are women’s ears, not mine. I just started looking at how uniquely shaped our ears are and started a collection. All the curves/contours are so interesting.” Tom’s own ear photos are pictured above. “A couple of them were taken with hearing aid in.”
Vicky has worn hearing aids since October 2016 and has had hearing loss since she was a baby. “The fact (that) my family was ashamed I was hearing impaired, I never got hearing aids until last year,” Vicky writes. “I am now proud of my hearing aids and not ashamed to be hearing impaired.” We are proud of you, too, Vicky!
Markie Hickman, age 24, has been deaf since birth with single-sided deafness and tinnitus. Markie’s hearing aid is the Phonak Cros and has worn it since 2013. Lipreading Mom likes the hearing aid’s dark ear mold.
Ashraf Haddad, age 35, has worn Siemens Nitro 301 SP for most of his life. Thank you, Ashraf, for Showing Me Your Ear!
Shelby Semmes currently wears Phonak Audeo Yes III hearing aids and soon will wear Oticon OPN. She has worn Phonak hearing aids since 2009. Best wishes with your new hearing aids, Shelby!
Charlotte received a cochlear implant, and her dad, Alistair, got a matching tattoo. This photo went viral on Facebook within 24 hours. See the related story at LipreadingMom.com.
Andrew MacLeod has worn Phonak Savia hearing aids for 10 years. “My hearing is now deteriorating fairly quickly from about 30dB loss to 40dB in the last two to three years,” he writes. “It is difficult to follow normal conversation without an aid. I am still a little nervous about being seen with aids, but definitely now intend to wear them and show them off more, especially since I now need them quite badly.” Andrew also has a myopia, which affects his vision. “I am a little worried that I will probably be quite deaf and blind in a year or two.” Andrew, Lipreading Mom wishes you the very best in your hearing (and vision) journey.
Rebecca Atcherson has worn hearing aids for 32 years and Oticon agil pro rite aids (pictured) for four years. “I am a mom to two sweet girls with no hearing loss who talk all the time. My husband has bilateral cochlear implants, too.” What a cool family you must have, Rebecca!
Sarah Lundquist likes to add color and style to her hearing aids. “I have learned to change the look of my hearing aids. They need personality and not to be ashamed,” she writes. “It took me a while to figure this out.” Sarah wears Starkey i110AP 3 series hearing aids. Thanks for proudly showing me your ears!
Justin, who wears Seimens Touching hearing aids, created this motto: Keep Calm And Wear Hearing Aids. ” I have moderate hearing loss from head trauma due to a car accident and just got my (hearing aids),” he says. “They are nice and colorful.” Lipreading Mom agrees!
Kristi writes, “#ShowMeYourEars My first pair were black so they would hide. I don’t care anymore; that’s why I got these blues ones.” Beautiful.
Alexis McKee shows off her new ‘ears’: Widex hearing aids. “I was born with severe hearing loss and now I’m profoundly deaf, but nothing stops me from embracing my disability,” she writes. Congrats on your new super-charged ears, Alexis!
Jim, age 34, who wears ReSound hearing aids says, “#ShowMeYourEars and awareness are very important. Kids and everybody else with hearing loss need to know they’re not alone but first they need to know they have hearing loss. I thought I had a learning disability my whole life until I found out I had reverse slope hearing loss and suddenly everything made sense.” This is awesome, Jim!
Twenty-four-year-old Robin, who has a hearing loss attributed to otosclerosis, writes, “I had a stapedectomy on my left ear when I was 15 that unfortunately failed. When I was 19 I got my first hearing aid for my left ear, and (a few) weeks ago I got another one for my right ear.” Robin wears Starkey Z-series RIC micro hearing aids. “Special thanks to Midwest Hearing Aid Center in Olathe (Kansas) for changing my life!”
Barb, who wears Phonak hearing aids, writes, “I find that, if people notice I have hearing aids, they try to help by facing me and speaking clearly. My visibility enables them to help me, which they want to do, and it means the hearing aids and I don’t have to do all the work. Win-win! Plus, it amuses children who see me. It also sends a silent message to those with whom I do business about the co-existence of professional competency and hearing loss.” Wonderful perspective, Barb!
Dimitar wears Phonak Savia Art hearing aids. Thanks for showing off your ‘ear,’ Dimitar!
Nicole Fonner tweeted this photo of her cochlear implant via Twitter. You can, too! Just type in #ShowMeYourEars and @LipreadingMom when posting your photo on Twitter. Easy, huh?
This Phonak Nathos hearing aid is worn by UK hearing loss blogger Liz Fisher, who is an awesome supporter of the Lipreading Mom blog. Thanks, Liz!
Check out this photo collage created by Danielle Berry. What a creative way to Show Me Your Ears!
Gary and Sue Gnat show off their ears: Gary’s BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid), top left; and Sue’s Phonak Audeo hearing aids, top right. The new blue hearing aids at the bottom are worn by Aaron Nazelrod. Lipreading Mom loves your style!
Julie has been wearing hearing aids since the age of five. She writes, “I am now wearing Oticon Epoq and have had these hearing aids for five years. I have had hearing aids for 40 years…and only wore one hearing aid in my left ear (most of those years). I went to wearing two hearing aids when I got the Oticon Epoq. Because of wearing hearing aids for long, I have seen how the technology has changed over the years. It is pretty amazing!”
This gorgeous green hearing aid is worn by @LivingArtist on Twitter.
Red is a lovely color for an ear mold, as @MsDrPepper on Twitter demonstrates with her hearing aid.
Andy sent this photo via Twitter using the #ShowMeYourEars hashtag. He writes, “No one should be ashamed to #ShowMeYourEars. If they help you hear better then that’s a good thing!”
Young Daniel from Kansas City sports his KC Royals ear gear just in time for baseball season. Way to rock that royal blue, Daniel!
Mindy Richmond wanted to be sure and share with Lipreading Mom her new cochlear implant that was activated this summer. Congrats, Mindy!
Mindy Richmond writes, “I lost my hearing in both ears last August, due to autoimmune inner ear disease. The loss happened very quickly. I went through quite a bit of testing and treatment since then, but I am now on the journey back to hearing! I had surgery 1 week ago for my first cochlear implant, and this picture shows the incision. I’ll have the stitches removed on Monday, but I won’t have my external device until June 17th, when they activate it. When I have that I can send you a picture if you’d like! God bless.” Lipreading Mim wishes you the very best, Mindy!
Six-year-old Matthew wears blue ear molds (and a precious smile).
Stephanie Georgel shows off her cochlear implant and gorgeous thick hair. Beautiful!
Check out Wanda Brownwell’s ear bling. Lipreading Mom thinks it rocks!
Briana Beechtree writes, “In need of a better pair! Glad to at least be able to hear a little.” Lipreading Mom is glad for you, too!
Kristi Hurley and her daughter wear BAHAs (bone-anchored hearing aids). Kristi has worn Oticon Pronto Pro for three years, and her daughter just got hers. Lipreading Mom likes your ear style.
Ian Scott shows off one of his hearing aids. He wears the Siemens Impact Pro L.
Sara Edi has lots of cool ‘ears’ to share for Show Me Your Ears. Lipreading Mom is impressed by Sara’s hearing aid collection, aren’t you? The next three photos are also Sara’s.
Lindsay Rodgers shows off her newly activated cochlear implant. Lipreading Mom likes that smile!
Kerry writes to Lipreading Mom: “I don’t know if you remember me but we met when you came to speak to the tinnitus support group at Midwest Hearing Institute. I had recently been diagnosed with hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperaccusis from meningitis. It was the first support group and I didn’t know what to expect. I was still so overwhelmed with everything that was happening. You talked to us about your hearing loss and learning how to lip read. For a moment I couldn’t still believe what was going on and all the damage I had from the meningitis. At the end of the meeting you showed us your bright blue hearing aids and I thought they were so cool. Much different than What I expected hearing aids to look like. It was a turning point for me. That night on the way home my mom suggested I put her hearing aids in to see how they worked. I was completely shocked at how much better I could hear and the clarity. I heard crickets chirping, and the leaves blowing in the wind. I also was surprised that the ringing in my ears wasn’t as loud. That next day we had an appointment with Heidi and I decided I wanted the hearing aids now, but there was one condition…they had to be cute! So I ordered the bright pink ones! And my hearing aids have programs like white noise and chimes that help decrease the loudness in my head from the tinnitus. I realized the ability to communicate with others and hear again was so much more important than any hang up I had about having to get hearing aids. Meeting you that day and seeing how you have coped inspired me to be strong also. And of course I wanted them to look cool like yours. I always tell people this story about you and thought it was time I shared it with you. I am still recovering from the meningitis and haven’t been able to resume my life quite yet, but I am still going to brain the therapy and making some progress…one day at a time. Wanted to SHOW you MY EARS! I wear these babies with pride now! thanks for all you do to help others and make them feel proud to wear hearing aids and cochlear implants. It’s really a cool thing.”
Justin shows off his ‘eyes,’ ‘ears,’ and meditation beads. Peace out!
Check out Stephanie Georgel’s extra set of ‘eyes and ears’ for Show Me Your Ears.
Who says you can’t bling up your hearing aids and glasses, like Deanna Schultz has? Lipreading Mom loves her style.
Can you feel the love for Show Me Your Ears?
Abby Sienko shows off her heart and soul with these Phonak hearing aids.
Sara has worn a Phonak hearing aid for the past month after experiencing sudden hearing loss. I’ve “learned recently that my hearing aid is becoming a great friend,” she writes. That’s awesome, Sara!
Check out young Kai’s ear style all the way from South Africa. And we just love his guitar hearing aid bling! His mom writes, “Kai received his own brand new Widex hearing aids, donated by Widex thanks to Natalie Buttress Audiology.” Read the inspiring story on the Natalie Buttress Audiology website.
Isabella, age 8, has worn hearing aids since she was 2. Mom Lauren writes, “Thankfully. she has never tried to hide them and we have made a point to make her feel proud of her hearing aids.” Beautiful attitude, Isabella and Lauren!
Phil was born with a severe hearing loss. He wears Oticon Sumo hearing aids in both ears and confesses, “I still can’t hear much speech.” Love the red ear mold, Phil!
Here comes the bride all dressed in…#ShowMeYourEars white! Alesia and her beau help celebrate #ShowMeYourEars with a wedding and a kiss.
Kristen makes a splash with her aquatic, waterproof ‘ears.’ “I waited 30 years to be able to hear while swimming with my Aquaris hearing aids!”
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame…Where I Can Show You My Ears!” – Connor, age 4
Who says a black-and-white Show Me Your Ears photo can’t make a COLORFUL statement…right, Sara Edi?
Don’t you think Ian Clifford’s black ear mold looks striking with his silver locks and hearing aid?
While waiting at the doctor’s office yesterday, Mary Smith, one of the stars of the Stop Hearing Loss Bullying video, snapped a photo of this poster, then spread the word about hearing loss and deaf awareness. Mary writes, “I had an awesome experience today. Was at the rehab center for my hands and my battery died in one of my hearing aids. I went to the little shop there and asked if they sold batteries. They suggested I try the hearing center and told me where it was. The woman there was great! I told her about my hearing aids and how I decorated them and showed the Stop Hearing Loss Bullying video. She gave me batteries. I asked for her card and have sent her links to some information. I am so grateful. Very excited to have been able to identify as hard of hearing and an advocate.” Way to spread the word, Mary!
David Chrisman, who has worn hearing aids since he was six months old, snapped these photos while waiting in an airport. What a brilliant way to be productive while waiting!
LOVE this 10-year-old boy’s John Deere ear molds. Don’t you?
Check out young Hailey’s purple-power hearing aids with the whitey-white ear molds. Groovy!
Someday, Marie Myers wants to raise money so others can purchase hearing aids (HA) or cochlear implants (CI). “I will say I have recently gotten brave to pimp my HAs, and one day I want to have a store where people can come in and pimp out their HA in the store themselves! I’ve learned through my life that things you create are appreciated more when made versus bought. I want a portion of profits to go to a scholarship fund for the purchase of a hearing aid or CI.” That sounds like a brilliant plan to Lipreading Mom. 🙂
Can you say “Go Yankees!” Marie Myers sure can. 🙂
Why just watch butterflies when you can wear them? Marie Myers blings her hearing aids with the beautiful winged creatures.
Lipreading Mom doesn’t know which to admire more: “The Olive Orchard” by Van Gogh or young Lily’s beautiful profile for Show Me Your Ears.
Adam Fitzgerald shows off his cochlear implant and his faith in the Bible verse he emailed me along with his photo: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Sixteen-month-old Sailou, who is deaf, isn’t so sure about posing for Show Me Your Ears, so mom Monica had to snap these photos quickly before he yanked out his digital ‘ear.’ Tears or not, isn’t Sailou a cutie?
Larissa Schmitz from Brazil is a 22-year-old college student studying International Relations. She was diagnosed with profound deafness as a small child and has worn cochlear implants for 17 years. Larissa, we LOVE your stylish ear gear!
Here come the brides, Show Me Your Ears style!! Blushing brides Tina Hamblin (top pics and bottom right) and Janel Newman (bottom left pic) are just gorgeous on their wedding days, don’t you agree?
Another lovely Show Me Your Ears bride is Elissa Robb. She just completed her audiology degree in Canada. Congratulations, Elissa!
Young Sadie Rose received her first hearing aids at six weeks of age. Now at age three, her hair is so long that her mom shared two photos to show off her hearing aid. Well, Lipreading Mom thinks Sadie Rose is just darling!
Kayla recently got fitted with new hearing aid ear molds while having her hearing tones adjusted at the audiologist’s office. Lipreading Mom thinks she’s pretty in pink, don’t you?
Renee Lavictoire shows off her ear for music in this gorgeous photo. Born with a severe-profound hearing loss, Renee holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Piano. “I’m so tired of the stigma regarding hearing loss,” she writes. “I hope your campaign will influence more people to show off their beautiful ears!” Check out another lovely photo of Renee below.
Another beautiful photo of pianist Renee Lavictoire.
Claire Patterson recently got married and proudly wore her purple hearing aids at her wedding. Congratulations, Claire!
What’s more fun than posing for Show Me Your Ears? Snapping your own profile in the mirror! Rikki has worn a cochlear implant for 16 years. Now that’s what I call a Kodak moment. 😉
David Villegas shows me his ear … and his American patriotism.
It’s Show Me Your Ears at the vet clinic for Argentine Esteban Lopez. Who knew a pet stethoscope could connect to hearing aids? That’s PAWsome!
Esteban Lopez from Argentina proudly poses for Show Me Your Ears.
Vivie Moraiti continues the royal blue ear mold trend with her Cochlear Freedom implant. She’s worn it for five years.
Lipreading Mom just loves when kids sport colorful hearing aids. Royal blue, anyone?
Evan Race knows how to strike a pose with his cochlear implant. Bionic ears are so cool.
Annette Jansen shows off her hearing aids with some rock star bling!
Christine Carver proudly wears her new Starkey Ignite Wireless hearing aids with SurfLink hand remote. “I’ve been hard of hearing in one ear and deaf in the other all my life,” she writes. “I was at the HLAA Convention this past June, and it was the first time I used my T-coil button. So awesome!” Christine’s philosophy as a life coach: “to offer a unique blend of my own life expertise … for those who are affected by Meniere’s disease, hard of hearing, and late deafness—to live a more joyous life with a renewed sense of purpose.” What a beautiful motto, Christine!
Oh, to be a baby again…especially when you are as cute as this little hearing aid-wearing cutie!
Check out young Nick’s super-cool hearing aid. Love the mohawk, too!
L Ligon Saul writes, “This is my newest HA. I maxed out the previous one and was getting too much whistling noises. This one has the microphone on the outside and I will wear it to work for the first time tomorrow.” Lipreading Mom is very happy for you!
As you know, some people come into your life who make a lasting impact on you. Joy is that person to me. We met at a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, both of us pregnant with our little boys at the same time. She is funny, smart, and has a beautiful heart. Check out her clever photo. Joy, you are amazing!
M. Dank proudly wears this tattoo behind his ear and hearing aid. It is translated: “No man is more deaf than he who doesn’t listen.” So true!
The Phonak Facebook page posted this clever ear photo found on Pinterest. “Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. What do you think of this Steampunk inspired Hearing Aid?” Phonak asked its followers. Lipreading Mom thinks it rocks!
Young Sawyer enjoys dinner while showing off his cool bionic-looking Phonak Versatas and Spidey earmolds. Now that’s what I call eating with style!
David Villegas shared his photo with Lipreading Mom via her Facebook page. Cool!
Pam Herlacher from Oklahoma doesn’t have hearing LOSS at this point; she has hearing recruitment. “This is what my ears look like because of hearing sensitivity,” she writes. “I am blessed by your dedication Miss Shanna! ” Thank you for your support, Pam.
Christina Scardini displays her beauty for #ShowMeYourEars.
Kayla Kidwell has worn hearing aids since she was 8. Lipreading Mom loves her confident smile, don’t you?
Can you spy @WyndhamMisio’s hearing aid in this photo he tweeted for #ShowMeYourEars?
Laura Hartwell wears Starkey Xino Tinnitus hearing aids to
help with progressive sensorineural hearing loss that is mild to
moderately severe. “I’ve had the new hearing aids for about 3 months now
and I can hear birds, music sounds good again, and I can understand what
people are saying again! ” she writes. “I’m so thankful for my lil hearing helpers.”
Amy Gaithersburg just got her new hearing aids. Her Facebook post reads: “The beauty of the sounds arounds us appreciate it while you can hear it! Cause once it’s gone you forget about the sounds you once heard.” Amen to that!
Joyce Edminston with the blog XpressiveHandz writes, “Respect the terms people choose for themselves-whether they choose deaf, Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Hearing Impaired.” We couldn’t agree more, Joyce.
Q, age 3, shows off her pink Phonak hearing aids and her girly-girl style. Love that sweet smile, too!
Here’s Q wearing some more pretty ear bling!
Cal, age 4, wears bilateral AB cochlear implants. Doesn’t he look handsome?
Little Zoey proves you are never too young to proudly prose for Show Me Your Ears. Her dad, Kyle, shared this photo via Facebook…and he is so thrilled to share his little girl off to the world. So are we!
Luke shared his ear photo via Twitter. All you have to do is tweet your photo with this message: “Here’s my ear pic for #ShowMeYourEars @LipreadingMom.com.” Will you?
Elizabeth Simmons, age 19, has worn Phonak hearing aids for 17 years. Love that smile!
Kevin received his ReSound hearing aid as a gift from a family member. He is one happy camper now!
Sarah Ann proudly wears her silver hearing aids after having worn blue, green, and purple aids over the years. “Time to match my hair!” she jokes.
Rachel, who is 32, lost 70% hearing in both ears and has worn Audina hearing aids for a month. She writes, “Thank you for steering me in the direction of @LipreadingMom. I’ve been alone in my struggle. It’s nice too see there’s a network.”
Hiren Madan, from Delhi,India, has worn hearing aids for 19 years. In the photo, he shows off his Widex Clear330 hearing aids. Hiren writes, “I love your blog and it is great place to unite people like us on one platform.”
Denise Portis shows off her gorgeous butterfly cochlear implant magnet and rhinestones.
Can you see Victor’s Starkey hearing aid?
Michaela shows off her bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) worn on a headband.
Six-year-old Harry has worn hearing aids since he was four months old. We love his glow-in-the-dark ear molds…and his Lego creation!
Elizabeth got married, Show Me Your Ears style!
My, what lovely hearing aids Elizabeth the bride has…
Elizabeth shows off her new ‘ear.’
Who says you can’t have fun with your hearing aids, like Dan does here?
Three-year-old Madeleine was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural moderate-to-severe hearing loss and has worn hearing aids since the age of six months. Here she is enjoying a snack and her favorite TV show “Art & Paint.”
This baby girl is ‘Pretty in Pink’…hearing aids, that is.
“As promised, here is the photo of my hearing aid,” writes the blogger known as justthehalfdeafgirl. “I made a crocheted cover for it, which is slipped over it in the photo. I clip it to my shirt. The cover makes it look larger than it is, and it doesn’t help that my ears are tiny! (Yes, I did paint polka-dots on my tube.)”
This 29-year-old father of two was recently implanted with an Advanced Bionics Neptune Cochlear Implant. Awesome!
Thomsen has worn hearing aids since he was age three. Read his cool blog interview with Lipreading Mom!
Tara Chevrestt is an author, editor, and former aviation mechanic. She has worn hearing aids since the age of 11. “My recent pair I’ve had less than a year,” Tara says. “I can connect them to the television and that is just awesome. I can hear things I haven’t heard before.” Follow Tara’s blog to learn more about her memoir, Hear Through My Ears.
Look at this 10-month-old cutie pie’s headband hearing aids and adorable smile!
Ten-year-old Matthew rocks his cool Phonak hearing aids for Show Me Your Ears!
Way to Show Us Your Ear, Ashley. Love the hand-written caption!
“This is my electronic hearing collection,” writes Dave. “Two hearing aids (the left aid transmits from deaf ear over to my right Aid), one remote Mic, one TV Bluetooth, and one around my neck program with volume and Bluetooth.”
Young Jaxson with his cochlear implant and football!
Eric writes, “I just watched your youtube video. Great job. I am glad you are becoming more and more comfortable with the hearing aids. As you know, I was always concerned what my work would think mostly and tried to get ones that blended in. Hard to do being bald, but I tried. I have to say, I love the bright blue hearing aids! I just got a new one in December and decided that I didn’t care anymore what people thought. I got a blue one also and plan on getting another blue one for the other ear next.” Way to go, Eric!
“I am a mom of three,” Nicole says. “My children were the ones who pointed out that I needed to get my hearing re-checked. Thank you so much for your awareness campaign!”
Nicole, a mom of three, shows off her “ears!”
Eric writes, “I am not a user of hearing aids but an audiologist. I came across your site through Facebook and I think it is great! Here is a picture of
my ear with Visible Speech hardware attached!” Check out Eric’s book, The Truth About Hearing Aids.
Dan wears a soccer ball Tube Rider on a red glitter silicone shell earmold, along with a Ferrari Red ReSound Verso 988 hearing aid. “And yes,” he notes, “those are grey hairs.”
“My name is Julie and I was born with Cerebral Palsy (CP) which has resulted in mild walking difficulties, and manual dexterity. I also have a speech and hearing impairment. “
Chris has been deaf since birth and is autistic. His mom, Noreen, writes, “He started out with hearing aids at 7 weeks old, then bilateral Freedom (cochlear implant) processors around 18 months old. He made the Freedoms “disappear” last year (age 6), and while we were waiting for his upgrades to the Nucleus 5, he made his own processors from paper!”
Makena the American Girl doll and her best human friend have a lot in common. They like the colors purple and pink… and they both love to Show Me Their Ears.
This sweet girl hopes to purchase an American Girl hearing aid for her doll, Kit, soon. They both love to Show Me Their Ears!
Sarah sent me her ear photo via Twitter. I think this is one of my favorite tweets ever. Don’t you agree?
Rocky says, “My hearing aids are named Jim in the left and Dave in the right. I’ve had them for about 10 years but needed them since I lost a very large part of my hearing in the army as a tank mechanic in the 1970s.” We salute you, Rocky!
Karen, who has a mild hearing loss, has worn Phonak Audeo Yes V hearing aids for about three years. Lookin’ good!
This nice man came up to me at church on Sunday and said, “I like Show Me Your Ears. Wanna see mine?” He pulled out his hearing aids for all to see… Merry Christmas!
Can’t you just feel the Christmas love from Tommy’s smile and hands?
My friend, Melany, and I performed a sign language rendition of “O Holy Night” the Sunday before Christmas at church. Here she is, waiting to go on stage.
Stevie from the UK really blinged up her hearing aids for the holidays.
Proudly wearing a cochlear implant, Chris Kurz is the technology innovations coordinator at sComm, developer of the UbiDuo device for the Deaf and hard of hearing. Lipreading Mom is honored to use the UbiDuo at home and will blog about her experiences soon.
Marilyn shows off her Oticon Agil Pro hearing aids at her daughter’s wedding. She has worn them since 2004.
“This is Alex, my nephew, and my son Kevin,” writes reader Alan Tisch. “Due to cytomegalovirus (CMV), Alex was born deaf. It wasn’t until after his 1st birthday that doctors were able to identify the severity of his hearing loss and suggest cochlear implants. Alex’s speech has developed rapidly due to the therapies he is provided in conjunction with the implants.As you can tell from this picture, the cousins are as close as can be. The implants have never registered as anything but normal for Alex’s cousins and family. Alex is incredibly smart, he is extremely tech savvy, even at three years old. In fact, Alex has educated our entire family with the use of sign (language) and the tools he learns through speech therapy techniques.”
Niall, 7, has been wearing hearing aids since the age of 16 months old. His ear molds feature a Batman design. Cute Snowman, too!
Joanie was implanted with a Cochlear Nucleus 5 two years ago and wears a Phonak Naida hearing aid in her other ear. She has worn hearing aids all her life.
Bosley is the 7-year-old hearing dog of Rev. Catherine O’Connor from Ontario, Canada. Read Bosley’s story here.
Dean from Lancaster, UK, was newly diagnosed with hearing loss and received his hearing aids just three months ago. Follow his blog Halfwayhere.co.uk/.
Zoey, a service dog, and her human friend, Leann, show off a fluffy ear.
Charlotte from the UK has worn her hearing aids for 19 years. As a toddler, her parents learned she was deaf.
Sam (in blue swim cap) wears his cochlear implants at the swim start in a triathlon.
At the wedding of Todd and Abbie Hlavacek (couple at left), friends with cochlear implants from Advanced Bionics joined together in showing off their bionic ears. Todd received his implants in January 2010 and January 2012, Abbie in August 2007, Gregg Hlavacek (center), Jennifer Thorpe (second from right) in November 2007, and audiologist Tina Childress in August 2000 and December 2005. Way to SHOW ME YOUR EARS, friends!
China has worn an in the canal hearing aid since the sixth grade and received her second hearing aid as an adult.
“I wish I could attach the wonderful jewelry and decorations that others have on their hearing aids, but there is nowhere to attach them! Despite the fact that I have short hair and often point out my hearing aids to people, they seldom see them. Next time I purchase hearing aids, I’ll get them in a sparkly, bright color.” -Lindsey
“My son, Gavin. wears his first hearing aides, received on Valentine’s Day 2012. He was born severely hard of hearing in both ears. Even the doctors don’t know why. He’s a smart little man, and I wouldn’t change a thing about him!” -Gavin’s Mom, Erica
“Hearing Loss Association of America-Washington State (HLA-WA) was having the summer board meeting in the newly looped auditorium of the Bellevue Arts Museum. This gentleman was simply visiting the museum when he followed the HLA-WA way finding signs over to our meeting. You can see my hearing aid and you can see he is wearing the headphones of his pocket talker OVER his ears and with his hearing aids! He was very determined to communicate; put the microphone right up to each speaker’s mouth!” -Cheri
Ruth proudly wears her hearing aids, which are 16 years old. She has been deaf all 26 years of her life.
My friend, Sherry, lives with a profound hearing loss and Meniere’s Disease, a balance and hearing disorder. Lipreading Mom is honored to call her a friend!
Jeff, who has a sudden and profound hearing loss, received his hearing aids today. Thank you, Jeff, for SHOWING ME YOUR EARS!
Can you see Leslie’s tiny behind the ear hearing aid?
“I was born with hearing loss. Within the last few years it has progressively gotten worse, to the point even with my hearing aid, I hear NOTHING. I decided it was finally time to get a cochlear implant, and I am pleased with it. Going for my next one in December. But my ears… are still my eyes.” -Ash
Ash’s cochlear implant
Ash’s cochlear implant (right) and hearing aid
Kathy adorns her cochlear implant with the first decorative charm ever made for a CI by 13-year-old Hayleigh of Hayleigh’s Cherished Charms Simply beautiful!
Vivie received her cochlear implant in May 2008. She is also a cancer survivor.
The beautiful Jamie writes: “I’ve been told I should have cochlear implants in both ears, but at the moment have no hearing aids at all due to financing (my last pair of hearing aids ‘died’). Up until the last six months, I wore hearing aids since 1997, though I could have used them in the 1980s (I denied my hearing loss to myself and others until I was 18). The last six months without hearing aids at all, I’ve been learning to get by on lip reading, writing, and miming like a fool! Thanks for the great blogs! You bring me up when I’m down.” Thank you, Jamie, for SHOWING YOUR (BEAUTIFUL) EARS!
Hearing aids are worn by Jennifer Morris’ two gorgeous daughters. Thank you girls for SHOWING ME YOUR EARS!
Monica Hood is founder of Deaf-Insight.com, a site that celebrates the Deaf culture. Lipreading Mom is honored to blog every Saturday for Deaf Insight. Thanks, Monica, for SHOWING YOUR EARS!
JJ the Mime, who is Deaf, has performed pantomime all over the world. Lipreading Mom has the pleasure of knowing JJ and saw him perform recently at the Deaf Culture Center in Kansas. Check out his site www.jjmime.com.
Drew Valerie Bagtas, age 7, received her cochlear implant in July 2012. Doesn’t she look adorable?
“My older son Isaac just finished a lesson in preschool about ears and made these wonderful ears sported by his little brother, Lucas. It says ‘I hear with my ears'”. -Isaac’s Mom
“This is a photo from my senior year of high school (1993). I remember being mortified when the photos came back and I realized that I had forgotten to remove my hearing aid for my senior photos. Now I am older and much more comfortable with who I am.” -Bonnie Jean
“I’m Melissa., age 22, and from England, United Kingdom. I have had my cochlear implant for 12 years. I was diagnosed as severely to profoundly deaf at 9 months old due to prematurity and ototoxic medication.”
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Elizabeth
Corby
Lipreading Mom 
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This is a beautiful project!
This truly was a great idea Shanna! I love how proud you all are! 🙂
Monica – Thank you! I look forward to seeing your ear photo soon!
Thank you, Christina! Please send me your ear photo, and I’ll be happy to post it. 🙂
What a fun post, Shanna, and a reminder of Creator God and the amazing ears He designed!
Thank you, RJ. All ears are beautiful!
Wonderful post and glad is so popular. I have mentioned about this and your campaign on my blog. So to many more.
Thank you for spreading the word, Liz! Please share your blog link with us. 🙂
Your welcome. Here it is. 🙂 http://lizsdeafblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/lipreading-mom-new-campaign-show-me.html
Thanks, Liz!
Brilliant.
Thank you, Ian!
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139:14a
God makes us all unique and special. Wow!
🙂
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Beautiful ears will send my daughter’s also 🙂
Thank you, Annabel!
What a wonderful site. I would love to become more invovled in advocacy for hearing aid and cochlear implant pride. I work in special education at the high school level, so I’m well aware of the stigma associated with hearing aids and other assistive devices. Let me know how I can help you in this endeavour.
Show those ears!
🙂 Corby
I love your ears! Thank you for sending me your photo, Corby!
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This is a great site. Thank you Shannon for doing this. I had a terrible time being self conscious of my hearing aids growing up.
Joe King
Thank you, Joe. Wear your ears with CONFIDENCE.
Great pics. Just sat here with Kiersta and talked about all the wonderful ears together. LOL- we just went over ears of corn in av therapy this week.
Alex and Kiersta – BIG hugs to both of you!
Shanna
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http://www.thefashionpolice.net/2011/09/ear-fashion-calourette-ear-ring.html/calourette-ear-ring
Thought you might get a kick out of these. ^.^
Cool ears…thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hehe
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I love all of them. These are really cool. Thank you for posting mine though I have a really boring color. Trust me that will change soon.
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I can’t afford new ones..my old one broke…
Michelle – There are several programs out there to help with hearing aid financial assistance, such as Starkey Hearing Foundation, State Vocational Rehabilitation Department, Sertoma, and Kiwanis. Google “hearing aid financial assistance” to find out more. Don’t give up until you get those hearing aids provided for you!
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My mom took a picture of my ears for this and I was so excited to see my picture on this page. I told her she couldn’t take the picture until I was sure ears would look fine so she couldn’t take the picture until homecoming night:) I am in high school and I never really had a problem with showing my ears (which is what my dad calls our hearing aids anyways) and I cannot wait until I get my next aids because I am planning on having them be Neon green:) I also asked for hearing aid charms for Christmas so I am anticipant of being able to show those off as well:) I loved seeing everyone’s aids and CIs and y’all gave me some great ideas for molds. Keep on proudly showing those ears! 😀
Megan – Thank you for proudly SHOWING ME YOUR EARS!
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When I get my hearing aid this school year (At long last! I am seventeen and failed my first hearing test in kindergarten.) I will most definitely send a picture!
@JusttheHalfDeafGirl – Thanks for commenting. Yes, please send me your photo!
Thanks for posting my ear! it is not easy taking a photo with a phone when you are alone! What is visible behind my ear is my glasses. The hearing aid is invisible. The wire is pretty shiny, though!
Karen – Thanks for proudly posing for SHOW ME YOUR EARS!
Having just got cochlear implant May of 2012 it occured to me in November that I shouldn’t be ashamed and hide it as I had grown my hair to cover it and didn’t like that. So now I am back to my short hair and it was in great part to reading posts from others who had felt the same way and decided these were nothing to be ashamed of and to show them off… thanks for this opportunity
Fiona – That is wonderful of you! I admire your courage and enthusiasm. 🙂
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I need to add some bling on my beige boring BTE HA. 🙂 Thanks for sharing you made my day. Will post one soon…
You are very welcome, Jennifer!
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How do you leave a picture here? I have a few of my sons to share.
Chrissy – You can email them to sgrovesuss(at)msn(dot)com, subject line: Show Me Your Ears. Thanks so much!
A very very good idea
HA companies creates “invisible” HA. A great nonsense!!!
If you stand by your hearing impairment, you must not hide your HAs.
You can be beautiful and self-conscious in spite of wearing HAs
A nonsense indeed. HA companies are run by blinkered non-deaf who are driven by media hype that hearing loss and HAs should be invisible. Wrong! Shanna is leading the way, we must get behind her.
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Did I forget to send you a photo of my ears?? How do I send it to you?
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Great blog, I just stared blogging, hoping to be as good as you one day!
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Awesome blog. I wish I’d come across it earlier so I could show you my ears.
Thanks so much, Kez!
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Wow I didn’t know there were so many kinds and colorful hearing aids. It is great ~
I’ve been wearing hearing aids since 1948, I lost my hearing due to ear infection when I was 2. At the moment I have plain black behind the ear aid. I had black hair when I purchased the black one at the time, in 2006, now I have white hair, l let it grow out. *grin*
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I just shared my ear photos today (Nov 2023), hoping this site is still active, I’d like to see my “EARotic” images posted for everyone to see!