Hearing and Brain Centers of America gives 'pretty powerful' gift to one Austin senior

"Let's get you hearing better," Dr. Kailey Murphy told Sue Smith on Wednesday afternoon.

Murphy, a clinical audiologist at Hearing and Brain Centers of America's West William Cannon Drive location, examined Smith to fit her for new hearing aids.

When asked if she has difficulty hearing, Smith said, "On the phone, difficulty hearing the people."

Smith, 71, has had hearing loss her whole life but didn't get her first pair of hearing aids until about 15 years ago.

"She hates them," said Trey McKnight, an interpreter with Travis County's deaf services.

"People won't wear them if they hate them," Murphy said of hearing aids.

Her goal was to fit Smith with comfortable hearing aids that would provide enough sound for Smith to hear and understand people.

Smith is part of the Statesman's Season for Caring program, which highlights a dozen families or individuals each year and helps many more people with basic needs throughout the year from donations to the program. Smith was nominated by Family Eldercare.

On Wednesday, Murphy and Hearing and Brain Centers of America donated new hearing aids and a four-year care plan including batteries to Smith — an $8,000 value.

"This could be pretty powerful," McKnight said of the gift.

Smith just smiled when Murphy told her about the plan to improve her hearing.

After charting what Smith could hear on a graph, which showed she was well below the normal line, Murphy asked Smith to repeat sentences or the last word of a sentence.

Read more:Sue Smith navigates life between the hearing and deaf worlds | Season for Caring 2023

Smith has found ways to compensate her whole life.

"You are getting 80% correct, which is good, Sue, for the amount of hearing loss you have," Murphy said.

After fitting Smith with new hearing aids, Murphy went from having to shout to give her instructions to being able to talk at a more normal level. Murphy created molds of Sue's ears to fit her with ear domes that will better direct the sound into Sue's ear canal through her hearing aids. Without the domes, a lot of the sound still leaks out, Murphy said, instead of hitting Sue's ear canal. The domes should be ready at the beginning of January.

Learn more:12 families featured in the 25th Season for Caring program. Here's how you can help.

"You'll hear even better in two weeks," Murphy said. "I'm glad you were here."

"I'm glad you are here, too," Smith said.

Smith still has other needs on her wish list. They include pest control, new chairs, a coffee maker, internet service, help with laundry and cleaning, bus passes, a winter coat and accessibility devices such as flashing smoke detectors and doorbell and phone signalers. She'd love a trip to a salon or spa and gift cards for thrift stores.

To help Smith with her wish list, contact Family Eldercare at 512-450-0844 or familyeldercare.org. 

About Season for Caring

The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 2B and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to “Statesman Season for Caring.” Now through Dec. 25, all monetary donations will be matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family.