In the heart of Salt Lake City lived Judith, a vibrant 32-year-old mother of seven-year-old Carlos and newborn Juan. Judith’s joyful demeanor masked the profound hearing loss she’d had since birth. Her life was largely silent, filled only with the imagined sounds of her family. Determined to improve her hearing, Judith researched her options and, upon seeing the glowing recommendations, chose to visit Mountain West Hearing Center in Millcreek, known for the compassionate care of audiologists Faye Mitsunaga and Karyn Hodge.

Faye Mitsunaga’s impressive credentials and deep roots in the community influenced Judith’s decision. Faye, who grew up in Salt Lake City, earned her BA degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the University of Utah and her MA degree in Audiology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. With over 35 years of experience, Faye is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and board certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Her extensive background includes the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, hearing aid evaluation and aural rehabilitation, vestibular and balance testing, newborn screening, tinnitus treatment, and ear protection.

Karyn Hodge, AuD, CCC-A, also brought impressive qualifications. She received her BS degree from the University of Utah and her Doctor of Audiology from A.T. Still University. Karyn is board certified through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a fellow with the American Academy of Audiology. She has experience with balance testing, audiological evaluations, hearing aid selection, aural rehabilitation, and tinnitus management for patients of all ages.

With her infant cradled in her arms and Carlos by her side, Judith entered the clinic with a mix of hope and trepidation. Carlos, wise beyond his years, stood proudly as his mother’s interpreter. Dr. Karyn Hodge greeted them warmly and led Judith through a comprehensive audiological evaluation.

The evaluation consisted of several diagnostic tests. First, Pure Tone Testing measured Judith’s ability to hear sounds of various pitches and volumes through air conduction. Wearing headphones, Judith identified a series of tones, and the results were charted on an audiogram, which showed the type, degree, and configuration of her hearing loss. Next, Bone Conduction Testing measured her inner ear’s response to sound by bypassing the outer and middle ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve. This test helped determine whether Judith’s hearing loss was conductive or sensorineural. Additionally, Judith underwent Tympanometry testing, which tested her middle ear’s response to air pressure to further pinpoint the type and location of her hearing problem.

Karyn, with Carlos’s help, explained the results and discussed the possibility of hearing aids, but Judith’s heart sank at the cost, knowing it was beyond her means. Her disappointment was clear as she thought of never hearing her children’s voices. Seeing her distress, Karyn consulted with Faye and returned with older, reconditioned hearing aids in excellent condition, offering them as a temporary solution. Judith’s eyes filled with gratitude as Karyn placed the hearing aids in her ears and turned them on. Hearing Carlos and her newborn for the first time, Judith’s eyes widened, and tears streamed down her face as she embraced her son, the room filled with emotion.

Years passed, and Judith’s life transformed as she could now hear her children’s laughter, her husband’s loving words, and everyday sounds that had eluded her. The family’s immense gratitude for the gift of hearing led them to save diligently for the best hearing aids available. Returning to the clinic with her husband, Judith’s journey and their decision to invest in top-of-the-line hearing aids deeply moved Faye and Karyn. When Judith was fitted with the new devices, her auditory world became even clearer and richer, allowing her to hear the subtleties in her children’s voices, the gentle rustle of leaves, and her husband’s whispered words.

Tears of joy once again flowed, and they were shared by the entire family. Judith thanked Karyn and Faye not just for the hearing aids but for giving her a gift that transformed her life. Her journey from silence to sound was a testament to the power of hope, love, and perseverance. The simple act of hearing had woven her family closer together, enriching their lives with the sounds of everyday life.