When Margaret Gerhard, of Fence, Wisconsin, and Carol Rose, from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, first met at a retreat more than 20 years ago, they instantly knew they had a lot in common. What they didn’t know is that Margaret’s husband, Steve, and Carol would both be obtaining bilateral cochlear implants.
Margaret and Carol shared love of art, gardening, recycling and helping others. Their current endeavor is meant to help those with a hearing loss, especially a loss that does not respond to hearing aids.
Carol Rose shares the story of her hearing loss and subsequent bilateral cochlear implants in her book, From There to Hear, A Journey Out of Silence. In the summer of 2023, she sent the manuscript to Margaret and Steve to proofread and give feedback.
Margaret said, "Hey, what do you think about a chapter on hearing assist dogs?"
"Good idea!" Carol replied. "You are a good writer. How about you do that chapter?" And Margaret did. It’s called "Team Andy" and details the Gerhards' journey of adding Andy, a black lab Hearing Assist Dog (HAD) to their family.
Carol reached out to some of the audiologists she has worked with in the past 40 or so years for input, requesting they read the draft of the book. Every one of them did and all gave valuable feedback.
Dr. Marlene Bevan was Carol’s very first audiologist and the one who first questioned Carol’s ability to hear when she had brought a foster son in for an audiogram. Carol was living in Traverse City, Mich., at the time.
"Carol, when is the last time you had your hearing tested?" Dr. Bevan asked. That question proved to be the start of Carol’s quest for hearing help.
Dr. Bevan is the owner of two Audiocare Hearing Centers, one in Traverse City and the other in Gaylord, Mich. She now provides cochlear candidacy evaluations and follow-up care.
She states, "This book is clearly written and honest. I think it will help many folks. I will have it available in our clinics."
Carol also reached out to Richard Pocker, another bilateral cochlear implant recipient and a well known spokesperson for the hard of hearing and deaf. She asked if she could quote from his book, Cochlear Implant Basics. He readily offered a whole chapter, which was full of additional resources for those contemplating, or who might have already received, a cochlear implant.
Richard Pocker’s statement after reading From There to Hear:
"I can never have too many books about hearing loss. I learn from each one of them. I have said elsewhere that all hearing losses are as unique as our fingerprints and the journey to getting our hearing back is just as singular. If I get just one new insight from a book, I think it is time well spent.
"Carol Rose's journey was as arduous as they come. She received her first implant at the age of 76 and the second when she was 78. She lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, hundreds of miles from the surgeon and audiologist, and her stamina left me in awe. For anyone who thinks they or a family member is too old to be a candidate for a cochlear implant, this is a must read.
"Thank you, Carol, for sharing your story."
From There to Hear (with "Team Andy," by Margaret Gerhard, and an excerpt from Cochlear Implant Basics, by Richard Pocker) sells for $15 plus tax and shipping. It is currently available at Grandpa's Barn in Copper Harbor, Sundae in the Park in Mohawk and The Office Shop in Calumet and direct from Carol Rose as well as online at https://bookshop.org, where you can choose a wide range of bookstores, including your own local bookstore, if they are a member.
It’s also available at https://www.barnesandnoble.com as well as https://www.amazon.com with free delivery for Prime members.
Both Carol Rose and Margaret are available for questions, and both would be honored to be invited to speak at your event via Zoom or, when possible (distance-wise and weather), in person.
Carol is also offering the bookstore wholesale discount to audiologists, cochlear implant surgeons and other medical professionals. To find out details, contact her directly.
Contact Info: Carol Rose: there2hear81@gmail.com 906-369-4314
Margaret Gerhard: fullmoonbog@gmail.com 715-923-1676
Facebook: From There to Hear
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