For the first patient feature of 2026, we bring to you the inspiring story of a young woman named Emma. Emma is an 18-year-old senior at Chisholm High School in Enid, and living proof that anything is possible with perseverance, confidence, and determination. Described by her older sister, Abbi, as “never a quitter, with kindness that matches her drive,” Emma is charting her own path forward, one that will soon lead her to the classroom as an elementary school teacher.
Meet Emma
Emma is just like any regular high school student. She plays basketball and softball, participates in FCA, loves spending time with her family and friends, and has a particular love for musical theater. She’s even traveled internationally with her school to Greece and Italy and enjoys days at the lake swimming and tubing.
But Emma’s journey has been anything but ordinary. She is profoundly deaf and utilizes bilateral cochlear implants to engage with the world around her.
An Uncertain Start
Born to parents Mindy and Nick, Emma and her twin brother joined older sister Abbi to happily complete their family of five. Soon after birth, Emma failed her newborn hearing screening conducted in the hospital, and her family was referred to an audiologist for follow-up testing.
At their follow-up appointment, the audiologist found no concerns regarding her hearing. Though, as the months passed her parents recall Easton, Emma’s twin brother, was meeting speech and language milestones she was not. Mindy recalled “Easton became increasingly vocal and began to talk, while Emma produced sounds, we affectionately referred to them as ‘car radio static.’” Growing concern led to a referral to Hearts for Hearing, where at 12 months old, Emma received a diagnosis of profound sensorineural hearing loss (or deafness) in both ears.
After the previous misdiagnosis, her parents remember feeling unsettled and deeply overwhelmed. “As parents, our world was shaken,” they share. But during one of their first visits to Hearts for Hearing, Emma’s mother recalls a moment that gave her hope, sitting in the waiting room and watching another mother quietly whisper to her older child. “I thought to myself, ‘I hope that will be me one day’.”
That hope would soon become a reality. With the support of Hearts for Hearing, Emma and her parents persevered and at 17 months old, Emma received her first cochlear implant.
The Road to Listening
Following the activation of her second cochlear implant at 18 months old, Emma and her family began weekly trips from Enid to Oklahoma City for listening and spoken language therapy. Their weekly trips continued for four and a half years, all those miles her parents say, “Will forever be worth it.”
Emma says growing up with cochlear implants came with its challenges, especially when learning to speak clearly and recognize different sounds. These experiences helped shape the very qualities that define Emma today: her perseverance, confidence, and determination.
Emma says an important lesson she wishes she had learned earlier: “It’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves. Advocating for myself has helped me grow more confident and succeed in both my personal and academic life.”
Her sister Abbi watched this transformation firsthand. “Growing up with a sister who has hearing loss didn’t feel that different when I was little. I didn’t fully understand it then, but as we grew up, my understanding and admiration grew with her,” Abbi shares. “I watched my little sister who began life with no hearing, grow into an independent young woman now applying for colleges. I am so proud of her.”
The Future Ahead
Now, 17 years after her hearing loss diagnosis, Emma is about to graduate from both Chisholm High School and the Cosmetology program at Autry Technology Center. She plans to earn her cosmetology license in May and pursue it as a side career while attending college to become an elementary school teacher.
Her parents are filled with hope for what lies ahead. “We are hopeful for a future where Emma continues to pursue her goals with confidence and purpose,” they say. “Most of all, we hope she finds fulfillment in her work, continues to grow in independence, and uses her experiences to positively impact the lives of others as a teacher.”
For Emma’s family, their experience with Hearts for Hearing was life changing. “From the moment we walked through their doors, we knew Emma was in the right place,” her parents reflect. “The care, expertise, and encouragement we received shaped her future and gave us confidence every step of the way.”
To other families facing a similar journey, they offer this encouragement: “While the road can feel long and uncertain, we want to encourage families to keep moving forward and continue advocating for what is best for their child. Every step, every challenge, and every effort will always be worth it.”
Emma’s story is a testament to the power of early intervention, dedicated support, family advocacy, and an unwavering spirit. As she prepares to step into her future as both a cosmetologist and educator, Emma carries with her not just the ability to listen and talk, but the confidence to inspire others and the determination to make a difference.
