Miracle Ear Foundation restores gift of hearing to local third-grade boy with hearing aids
LANCASTER − Lance "Treigh" Mullins had a life-changing experience on Friday.
The 8-year-old suffers from mild to severe hearing loss due to inner ear nerve damage in both ears. But on Friday he was fitted with a free hearing aid at the Miracle Ear store at 843 N. Memorial Drive. The donation came from the Miracle Ear Foundation.
Treigh said he could hear better immediately after hearing specialist Alexia Malone put the hearing aids in his ears. He said the first thing he wants to do is to hear better in school.
His mother, Shalynn McCafferty, noticed her son was reading lips and some of his teachers said he was having trouble hearing in school. His mother took him for several hearing tests, which the Pleasantville Elementary School third-grader failed.
"I knew he was hard of hearing," she said. "But he gave no indication other than saying 'Huh?' a lot and the reading of the lips. But if you would ask him if he could hear, he would tell you yeah. But, obviously, there is a big problem. He's been struggling a lot lately, struggling in school. I think this will really help him, to be honest."
McCafferty said her son knew he had hearing problems, but didn't say anything, maybe because he didn't want to cause problems.
She said she hopes Treigh will be excited about doing better in school now that he has the hearing aids.
"I really honestly feel like this will help him tremendously, tremendously," McCafferty said. "Also, around the house he won't have to say 'Huh?' 24/7."
Malone said success for Treigh would be having a better time hearing in school.
"It's a very big part with his brain being such a sponge," she said. "When he's not been able to hear himself his speech and his language won't be so clear. He won't be able to have clarity in his own speech when he's talking. And just being able to interact with kids and communication is a big thing with him."
Treigh, and anyone else who qualifies for the Miracle Ear Foundation, can apply to get refitted every five years for a new pair of hearing aids.
The company established the foundation in 1990 and has given out about 40,000 hearing aids to more than 21,000 people since then.
Visit www.miracleearfoundation.org or visit the store for more information on the Miracle Ear Foundation, including eligibility requirements.
jbarron@gannett.com
740-681-4340
Twitter: @JeffDBarron
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Local boy receives two hearing aids from Miracle Ear Foundation
