Who We Are

Char and Larry Sivertson have a long history of involvement with hearing loss issues.

Char reports, "My progressive hearing loss began when I was a teenager. I did not deal with it very well, mainly because there was virtually no support available. I am happy to say times have changed. Several years ago, my hearing dived again and I was forced to find help. We found the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) and the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), and the information and support I received there were crucial in helping me deal with my declining hearing. I received a cochlear implant in 2008, and that has made a huge difference in many aspects of my life. Being able to communicate on the phone or in a moving car is something I now take for granted."

Larry adds, "My experience with hearing loss has long been as a supportive spouse. We have both been very active in our local ALDA and HLAA chapters. And then a few years ago my hearing began to decline. I now have severe high-frequency hearing loss, so I now have personal experience with many of these issues.

"It's been very interesting as my hearing declines while Char's hearing improves (because of her cochlear implant). (Did I mention how proud she is that she can now hear crickets and I can't? ;-)"