Shandanette has experienced recurrent ear issues and hearing loss for most of her life, but until now, non-surgical solutions have been unavailable. Traditional hearing aids will not improve her hearing because she has both conductive (no inner ear bones and a damaged eardrum) and neural hearing loss. Traditional hearing aids would be like turning up the volume on poorly recorded audio. It wouldn't clarify sounds, only amplify the garbled noises.
Thanks to a newish technology (http://www.sonitusmedical.com/product/technology.cfm), Shandanette has the opportunity to improve her hearing without undergoing surgery, but unfortunately, it will cost between $4,300 and 6,800 yet the audiologist and dental impression costs (another $800). (Did you know that most insurance DOES NOT cover hearing aids and devices? Hearing aids and devices also last roughly 3 to 5 years, so liftetime costs for a Deaf and/or hard of hearing person are pretty high!)
As a community worker and volunteer AND a graduate student pursuing two concurrent degrees, Shandanette lacks the monetary resources to purchase the hearing device, so we are reaching out to our network of friends and family to see if anyone can contribute. No amount is too small, and all assistance is greatly and sincerely appreciated.
Wouldn't you want to help out a person who is poised to do so much good?
This is the part where we're supposed to offer specific rewards for people who contribute specific amounts. Fortunately it's much simpler than that. Anyone who contributes any amount is doing Shandanette a huge favor, so I'm willing to consider anything for repayment. Need someone to help you move? I got it. Want me to cook you dinner? No problem. Need to haul something? We have a hatchback vehicle. Really, you name it and it's on the table. Shandanette having the chance to improve her hearing in any way means so much to me and to her that I'll be at your disposal. Just ask!
If you have any questions at all, please email me at Kalb.kevin@gmail.com.
Thanks!
-Kevin
Update: Shandanette was asked to include information about how she thought the SoundBite would improve the quality of her life. Here's what she said: