It has been the most spectacular miracle anyone has given me. It has changed my life tremendously since I have received my hearing aids. Without the foundation this would have never been possible. I can hear almost everything now and it has helped me mostly for safety reasons. When I go to the doctor, I can now get the information I need without making so many mistakes with my medications and instructions from the doctor. One time I almost killed myself accidentally because I didn't correctly hear what the doctor said. I can now call in my own medications over the phone and hear what they need to tell me about them. My daughter takes care of me and she has had a hard time having to holler at me to get me to hear what she is saying, which was so very frustrating to both of us and others. When I am making hot water with the tea kettle, I can hear the whistle which I have not burned any more pots since. I don't leave the water running for hours on end because I can hear it now. There are so many other wonderful things that have come from receiving these aids. There is no way to describe the beauty of the hearing aids, but it is sure sweet to listen to the birds and speak with my grandchildren. May God reward everyone involved in making this happen. The only way I can repay all of you is to keep you in my daily prayers. God Bless To All of You!

Date of Posting: 10 August 2010
Posted By: Eleanor Adams
Patient since 2009, Powell, TN

Sorry I'll miss your Open House, but I would like the privilege of telling you and the world what the Foundation has done for me. One has to live in what I call a “silent world” to appreciate one of your hearing aids. I feel so fortunate to own one. How great it is to drop from one’s vocabulary "HUH, WHAT DID YOU SAY?” It’s great! I’ll forever be in debt to you for being able to join in with people in conversation. Thanks so much and God Bless each of you. Sincerely, Lorenia Browning

Date of Posting: 29 July 2010
Posted By: Lorenia Browning
Patient since 2009, Knoxville,TN

I cannot begin to tell you what a blessing the Hearing and Speech Foundation has been to me! They restored my quality of life! It is a very discouraging thing to not be able to hear the world around you! I am forever grateful for the the work the Foundation does. I cannot even begin to thank them for all they have done for me! I thank God continually for my new hearing aids and ask Him to bless the Foundation and the staff for their mercy and compassion and for all of the work that they do!

Date of Posting: 24 July 2010
Posted By: Classie Yoden
Patient since 2009, Knoxville,TN

Words cannot express how thankful I am to the Foundation for helping me. I received two hearing aids in April and could not believe what I have been missing! Thank you - thank you. It was so wonderful to be able to hear my preacher Sunday morning instead of guessing what he was saying. My hearing isn't perfect, but oh how the aids have helped me! May God bless the Foundation.

Date of Posting: 16 April 2010
Posted By: Carrie Corley
Patient since 2010, Maryville, TN

I just wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciate having organizations such as your in our community. You have been especially helpful to us since my son, Matthew, has been diagnosed with a mild hearing loss. He is almost nine years old and we have been battling allergies and ear infections since he was six month old. He has two sets of ear tubes; his adenoid removed, and is now on allergy shots. Our medical bills are overwhelming so this foundation has been a huge help! Keep up the good work!!!

Date of Posting: 04 February 2010
Posted By: Colleen Nordstrom
Patient Since 2005, Friendsville, TN

For many years, I experienced embarrassment and shame due to my poor hearing. So often, I had to ask people to repeat themselves or pretend to hear them when I really didn’t. However, all of that changed because of the Hearing and Speech Foundation. Thanks to you, a whole new world has been opened up for me. Not only is my hearing restored, but so is my confidence to join in conversations without fear of having “missed something.” I no longer miss hearing the lyrics to a song or the punch line of a joke! I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You provide an invaluable service!

Date of Posting: 04 February 2010
Posted By: Paula Whitehead
Patient Since 2001, Walland, TN

I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to the Hearing and Speech Foundation, and also to the staff of Blount Hearing and Speech. I have been a recipient of their vast knowledge since 1982. At present the wonderful people at BHS are working with me through the Foundation to try and give me better word comprehension, by trying different hearing aids. I have noticed a difference, since having these aids with front and rear microphones. I am grateful that the Good Lord gave these special people the intelligence and ability to “fix my head.” Thank you so much!

Date of Posting: 04 February 2010
Posted By: Rusty Cole
Patient Since 1982, Madisonville, TN

I am profoundly hard of hearing. I could not work long because I could not hear. I could not keep my grandchildren because I could not hear them. My life was awful, and I could not afford hearing aids. I have been to many audiologists, and they would work with me a while and then they would recommend me to another one, because my hearing is very frustrating. When UT sent me to Dr. Berry and his staff, it was a turning point for me. I had never seen more truly dedicated people; they would not give up on me, even when I felt like giving up. They also helped me get in touch with the Foundation and I now wear two aids that they provided for me. I know what these special people have done for me and others like me. I thank God for Dr. Caroline Roberts, she never gives up, and when I need her she is there for me. I can never repay these dedicated, loving people. And nothing I write is ever going to give enough praise to this organization. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

Date of Posting: 04 February 2010
Posted By: Judy Hackler
Patient Since 2005, Powell, TN

My hearing condition got so bad that I ignored people talking to me. I became a burden on my family due to my inability to hear. The joy of being around my family was gone and communicating with them became a major problem. We checked at several places on the price of hearing aids, and the more inquiries we made the more disappointment I got. The price was just unaffordable on my part. My daughter found a brochure for The Hearing and Speech Foundation and I asked her to call and see how I could become part of the program. She told me how kind and accommodating the person was who talked with her. They set me up for an appointment with Dr. Caroline Roberts for a hearing test. For a person like me, I never expected her to treat me like I’m somebody special. She is so sweet, patient and does an excellent job. When my aids came in I was called to come try them on. For the first time in a long period of time, I could hear sounds that I hadn’t been able to hear in so long. It was like being in a dream, but this was real. For as long as I live, I can never payoff my debt of gratitude to the Hearing and Speech Foundation. My million thanks to you all!

Date of Posting: 04 February 2010
Posted By: Sinforosa Aujero
Patient Since 2008, Maryville, TN

How do I even begin to thank you for literally changing my life completely around? How do I tell you just how much your assistance has meant to me? How can I explain the influence that you continue to have on my life? During the time that I couldn’t hear I sank into a severe depression. I could not go anywhere alone because I could not understand what others were saying to me. The things that I had enjoyed most in life were not enjoyable to me anymore-like music, wind chimes, waterfalls, and my children’s voices. The day my hearing aids came in, I remember having them put in my ears and turned on for the first time. It was like I had been in a dark room for two years and then somebody turned on the light! I could hear. My heart was full of JOY!! I remember hearing birds chirping again for the first time. I remember hearing the wind, the water running out of the faucet, and my wind chimes. But what brought me the most joy was being able to hear my children’s voices again!

Date of Posting: 04 February 2010
Posted By: Amy Wilson
Patient Since 2005, Knoxville, TN

I want to thank the Foundation and Mr. John Berry with all my heart for my hearing aids. These are my third set that I've had across the years and in performance, are clearly the "Cadillacs" of any of those I've had in the past. I am enjoying hearing sounds I've not heard in years. Having never had digital aids before, again, I think you and may God bless you.

Date of Posting: 03 February 2010
Posted By: Janice White
Foundation patient since 2009, Maryville, TN

The Hearing and Speech Foundation, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. First, I would not be wearing a hearing aid if you hadn’t given me one at a ridiculous rate, one I could manage. Secondly, I could not afford the superb support of an audiologist during a season of rapid hearing loss without you. When I go in for a hearing test, knowing the results will be bad news, I still look forward to coming. You loan me devices that help me communicate and you understand and encourage me. I moved to East Tennessee several years ago to produce a documentary film about Blount County and its Siberian Sister City. I was then deaf in one ear from acoustic tumor surgery. In 2007 the hearing in my ‘good’ ear started to decline, due to a second acoustic tumor. Since there is no known cure for NF2, in addition to my ear doctor, I go to the Divine Physician, one who suffered incredibly to free humanity from all our ills. My ‘healing journey’ as I call it, is one I am capturing on camera. I found the folks at Blount Hearing and Speech Services open to me documenting my office visits. Amazing! Helen Keller said, “Life is a daring adventure or none at all.” John Berry, BHSS staff and Foundation donors, you help me dare to live adventurously. Thank you.

Date of Posting: 20 January 2010
Posted By: Beth Humpert
Foundation patient since 2008