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I’m so glad I came here today!

Writer's picture: Art of Hearing | Dyon ScheijenArt of Hearing | Dyon Scheijen

Tinnitus Awareness Week

Tinnitus can have a huge impact, but behind every story lies resilience, humor, and the power of hearing – in the broadest sense of the word. During this Tinnitus Awareness Week, I will share a special encounter from my clinic every day. Stories that show how audiology and psychology come together and how people, young and old, find their way in the world of sound.


Sometimes, you meet someone who makes you smile—someone who inspires you without even realizing it. Today, that person is an elderly lady, but with a mind that is still sharp and full of life. Next month, she will turn ninety. Ninety years filled with life experience, stories, and wisdom. And now, she is sitting here in front of me, together with her son. He is probably well past fifty, but in her eyes, he is still her little boy.


She has severe hearing loss and wears hearing aids in both ears. Still, she has to concentrate intensely to follow conversations. She has learned to cope with her hearing loss, but there is one problem that drives her mad: the constant ringing in her head. Tinnitus. Especially at night, it becomes unbearable.


As always, I begin my explanation. I gauge how well she absorbs the information and adjust my pace accordingly. To my surprise, she not only follows me well in terms of hearing but also in understanding. She is captivated by what I’m saying and literally leans forward in her chair. Her eyes sparkle. She wants to absorb every word.


I notice myself slowing down, articulating more clearly. And it works. She doesn’t miss a single word. Step by step, she begins to understand how our complex auditory system functions and, more importantly, that something can be done about it. It’s incredible how quickly she grasps the information.

Then she turns to her son and says, “I’m so glad I came here today!”


Ninety years old, after trying so many things to lessen the ringing. Years of searching for a way to break the vicious cycle. And now, here, she suddenly sees it. She understands how it works, how she can take control. That the power lies within herself.


She repeats in her own words what I just explained to her—down to the smallest detail. And she is happy. So happy that I see a sparkle in her ninety-year-old eyes. Maybe even a tear. The same feeling of joy rises in me.


With a big smile, she walks out, full of confidence in what lies ahead. Her words still echo in my ears:

“I’m so glad I came here today!”


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