Athletes Who Do Not Let Hearing Loss Hold Them Back
From a Leading Toronto Hearing Centre
Do you have a dream but fear your hearing loss may impede your ability to accomplish it? Maybe you have always wanted to take part in the Olympics but think there is no way it can be done when you have a hearing impairment. Possibly you feel that only physically perfect people can accomplish the thrill of victory, while you experience the agony of defeat.
You do not have to let your hearing loss keep you from reaching your dream. If you believe that your auditory challenges impede your ability to accomplish your goals, then continue reading. The hearing instrument specialists at Bravo Hearing Centre have compiled a list of athletes that overcame their hearing loss to excel in their chosen sport.
8 Deaf Athletes that Overcame their Hearing Loss
Use this list to inspire your own dreams.
- David Smith (US Olympian, Volleyball) – David has worn hearing aids since he was three. He relies on lip-reading to interact with his team and believes his hearing disability makes him a stronger athlete.
- Tamika Catching (US Olympian, Basketball) – Born with a hearing deficiency in both her ears, Tamika also developed a speech impediment. When she threw away her hearing aids after being made fun of, her parents thought they would teach her a lesson by not buying her new ones. The lesson was on them as Tamika’s resilience increased along with her talent. She has won three gold medals.
- Terrence Parkin (South African Olympian, Swimming) – Terrence won the silver medal in the 200-meter breaststroke at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He used sign language to speak with his coach and relies on strobe lights to signal when to start swimming.
- Tony Ally (Great Britain Olympian, Diving) – Suffering from a genetic hearing loss, Tony became a professional athlete at age 16. He took part in 4 Olympic Games (1988, 1996, 2000, 2004), and won the European Championships in 1999.
- Lance Allred (US Basketball Player, Cleveland Cavaliers) – The first legally deaf player in the NBA, Lance was born with 75-80% hearing loss and went on to play the 2007-08 season with the Cavaliers.
- Curtis Price (US Baseball) – The first deaf player in major league baseball in more than 50 years, Curtis play over 20 seasons, including with the Yankees.
- Jim Kyte (Hockey Player) – Jim was the first deaf hockey player in the NHL in 1983. He was diagnosed with a hereditary hearing loss when he was only three. He went on to play for seven different teams over 15 seasons.
- Matt Gilbert (Rugby) – Rugby is an intense game with dominant players. Even with profound, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, Matt did not let his dream die.
Hearing Loss Does Not Have to Keep You from Your Dreams
Make your dreams come true despite having a hearing impairment. There is no reason that you should let hearing loss dictate what you can or cannot do. Let the hearing specialists at Bravo Hearing Centre help you achieve your goals and ambitions.
Contact us at 647-694-4626 to schedule a hearing test or to arrange a complimentary consultation at your earliest convenience. You can also book a free consultation online.
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