Today was a very interesting day because we got to learn about different patients’ backstories, and one backstory in particular amazed us. Referred to as Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic’s most interesting patients (at least by us), this patient came in for her hearing aid upgrade to a newer model, and we learned a lot about her during her visit. She was born fairly deaf – so much so that the first time that she heard birds chirping was when she was 45 years old! Thus, when she was younger, learned how to speak fluent English without ever hearing her own voice! She also passed nursing school only by reading lips! Jonathan and I were amazed. This patient was a very cool person to have been able to meet. After this patient, it was time for our lunch break, and the staff surprised us with pizza to celebrate our last day at the clinic! It was really generous of them to do that, which made us even sadder to leave when the workday ended. Before we left however, we were able to play around with some of the impression substance that the audiologists put in people’s ears if they need to have a custom hearing aid built to fit their ear.

Nicolle, one of the audiologists, demonstrating how to fill y ear canal with the impression putty:

Jonathan attempting to fill my other ear with the putty:

My ear canal with the impression putty filling it:

Me filling Nicolle’s ear with impression putty:

At the end of the day we were really sad to leave the office as we had such an amazing week interning at Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic. It was one of my most influential experiences up to date, and I am so grateful that we had this opportunity! – Kiran W.