In honor of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, we’re celebrating the incredible journeys of those with hearing loss.
Meet Tabitha and Hailey— two remarkable young women whose friendship began with a chance encounter fifteen years ago and has grown into what Hailey describes as “the most genuine friendship God could ever give me.” We recently caught up with them for a photoshoot at Tulsa’s Gathering Place, their bubbly personalities brightening an otherwise rainy afternoon.
A Sound Connection
Both girls’ hearing loss journeys began early, but under different circumstances. Born at just 26 weeks, Tabitha’s life was saved by a medication in the NICU that happened to be ototoxic, leading to her diagnosis of progressive hearing loss at age three. She received her first cochlear implant at five and her second at seven.
Hailey was born with hearing loss due to perinatal complications. Receiving her diagnosis shortly after birth allowed her to begin wearing hearing aids at only three months old. As her hearing loss progressed, cochlear implants were recommended. At only 18 months old, Hailey received her cochlear implants.
When the girls were seven years old, Hailey’s mom noticed Tabitha’s cochlear implants while out shopping and struck up a conversation with Tabitha’s mom. Recognizing the value of connection, both families arranged for the girls to meet, beginning a bond that would last fifteen years and counting.
Friends That Feel Like Family
The friendship that began with their mothers’ conversation has become a source of strength and understanding that extends far beyond their shared hearing loss. “Having a friend like Tabby has helped me with my confidence of wearing my cochlear implants,” Hailey explains, “and being able to talk to someone who knows exactly what I am talking about.”
During our photoshoot, the girls insisted on taking one special photo, making a heart with their cochlear implant processors, a symbol of how their shared experience shaped their bond.
Their connection runs deep— built on support and the comfort that comes from having someone who understands your journey. As Hailey puts it, “Our friendship is all about being there and lifting each other up as well as having a shoulder to cry on.” Even when they removed their devices for the photo, leaving their world temporarily silent, the air remained filled with laughter and playful shouts of “I can’t hear you!” as they continued chattering.
Purpose and Possibility
Now 22 years old, both young women have found ways to give back to the community that supported them. Tabitha previously worked as a newborn hearing screener at Hearts for Hearing, a role she discovered through shadowing her audiologist in 2023. “I absolutely loved being a newborn hearing screener,” she says, finding purpose in helping identify hearing loss in the newest generation.
Hailey is a junior in college, majoring in Speech Language Pathology, and hopes to one day become a pediatric audiologist. “I was inspired by my audiologists,” she shares, “and I have a place in my heart for helping those who have cochlear implants.”
For these two young women, their story doesn’t end here. We are confident Tabitha and Hailey have bright future ahead filled with many more adventures. Let their story be a reminder to those also navigating this journey that you are not alone.
Advice for Others on a Similar Journey
Here’s advice from Hailey and Tabitha for individuals with hearing loss:
- Don’t let your hearing loss define you: “I wish I would’ve known that having cochlear implants doesn’t define who I am,” Tabitha reflects.
- Share your story with confidence: “It’s okay to tell people your story,” Hailey advises. “When people ask about what’s on my ears, it’s because they’re curious, not mean,” says Tabitha, encouraging others to embrace openness about their hearing journey
- Find your community: Having someone who truly understands your experience can provide confidence and support that makes all the difference.
As noted during National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, “Communication is the essence of human connection—giving everyone a voice ensures no story goes unheard and no potential
