Prize aids hearing

JUSTIN LATIF

SWEET SOUND: Winning a pair of hearing aids has transformed Lauryn Asekona’s life.

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She could barely hear herself speak, and that meant she had a tendency to shout.

But that has all changed now, thanks to new $7000 hearing aids she won in a competition.

Lauryn Asekona was among hundreds of entrants in an online contest run by Bay Audiology.

The Henderson resident did not realise how deaf she was until a few months ago. "I just thought it was part of my character to be really loud," she says.

But a colleague suspected otherwise and suggested a check.

"I went and did the hearing test and they said I definitely needed aids but the cheapest option was going to be $6000 for a pair," Lauryn says.

"I was just devastated," she says. "Firstly because I'd just found out I was deaf, and secondly because there was no way I could find that kind of money."

The mother of three unsuccessfully applied for Accident Compensation Corporation funding.

But disappointment turned to joy when she won the competition four days later.

The 32-year-old says her whole demeanour has changed.

"The kids reckon I'm really different with my hearing aids. My loud voice was very intimidating – but now I'm much quieter. I can also hear their back-chat now."

- © Fairfax NZ News