Michael Goldbeck was diagnosed with profound, bilateral hearing loss when he was 18-months-old in Albuquerque, NM. He was fit with hearing aids and then came to Oklahoma where he started speech therapy at almost two-years of age. Shortly after his second birthday he received his first cochlear implant.

Michael participated in a mainstream classroom and graduated from the Edmond Public Schools. “While my hearing loss requires me to make adjustments and accommodations in some of the activities I undertake, my cochlear implants provide me with the hearing that I need to be academically and socially successful. I have been able to do whatever I have wanted to do alongside my normal hearing peers. I am grateful for this technology and hope it is available to anyone who might benefit from it,” said Michael. 

Michael did not let his hearing loss keep him from participating in activities while in school. He won spelling bees, math competitions and competed on the academic team. Michael also participated as a violinist in his middle school and high school orchestras. He graduated from high school  in 2015 and gave the valedictorian address at his high school’s graduation ceremony.

After high school, Michael continued to excel. He attended Oklahoma State University on an academic scholarship and was involved in several social, academic and philanthropic clubs and organizations. He graduated from Oklahoma State University Honor’s College in May of 2019 with degrees in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular/Cell Biology as well as a minor in Chemistry. In August of 2019, he started his first year at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, and over this past summer he helped with a research study at Hearts for Hearing.

Michael said, “I am grateful for all the wonderful professionals at Hearts for Hearing who continue to provide me not only with audiology services, but also with support and encouragement as I travel my life’s journey. I still recall how much fun I had at pre-school and the summer camps I attended at Hearts for Hearing as a child.”