McKenna McGough, a 10-year-old Texas girl born with a hearing loss, was embarrassed to wear her hearing aids until she saw an injured dolphin at a Clearwater FL aquarium. The sight of the dolphin's prosthetic tail gave McKenna strength and encouragement to start wearing her hearing devices.
Like McKenna, many people of all ages are reluctant to wear hearing aids. The reasons cited include the high initial cost of the device, as well as such imaginary reasons as association with old age and / or disability, and cosmetic considerations.
Most of these reasons have been debunked many times as they are not based on any scientific evidence, just perception. And the fact - supported by numerous studies - is that wearing a hearing aid can improve not only the hearing impaired person's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, but also the overall quality of life and relationships.
To learn more about the inspiration the dolphin named Winter has given many and how he inspired one little girl that wearing hearing aids is important visit: Winter's Tale: What a dolphin and a little girl teach us about hearing aids.
