Elvis has helped Sue lead a healthy, hearty, happy life again

Not one to let deafness hold her back, Sue actually worked as an audiologist. However, as her hearing deteriorated, she started to feel very isolated, especially after retirement. Elvis has helped her lead a healthy, hearty, happy life again.

Sue was deafened at an early age, possibly due to measles and scarlet fever. However, nobody really knows – because nobody realised she had hearing loss, including Sue.

Sue explains: “I assumed everyone lived in a muffled world. This was right through to secondary school, where a teacher noticed I couldn’t hear very well. An audiologist decided I didn't need hearing aids because if people spoke up, I managed.”

Sue continued to manage, and even became an audio typist. “I could do this because the sound went straight from the machine into my ears. However, I couldn’t answer the phone, or join in with office gossip so I felt isolated. When I had my daughter Yvonne at 30, I couldn’t hear her crying, so I got a hearing aid.”

When Yvonne was five, Sue studied for a degree and became… an audiologist! “Being deafened myself helped patients share their worries. I understood that deafness can be frustrating, for people with a hearing loss and those around them.”

Throughout this time, Sue’s hearing was deteriorating. When she retired, she started to feel the full impact of her deafness.

“I really missed people. I so much wanted to go out and enjoy life, but became wary of things I couldn’t hear.

“I was so anxious about everyday activities such as answering the doorbell, chatting with people, or going shopping. I was forever breaking off jobs to see if I had missed someone calling at the house. Each little thing just weighed me down, more and more. I was becoming very isolated and lonely because it was easier to stay in.”

After much persuasion from her friends and family, she applied for a hearing dog. Along came Elvis, and transformed Sue’s life.

“I felt that weight disappear instantly. He has totally changed me. I am much more relaxed. I have started to go out for walks again. I meet people. It’s wonderful.

“He’s had a tremendous impact on other people’s attitudes too. When I go out with Elvis in his burgundy Hearing Dogs coat, people smile and make sure they look at me when they speak, because Elvis has signalled to them that I’m deaf.

“Everyone wants to say hello now! It can take twice as long to do the shopping. I don't mind though. I like him being fussed, and I think he quite enjoys it too. He’s such a cheeky chappie!”

And what is life like with Elvis? Sue thinks for a few seconds. “It’s fun. Life with Elvis is fun.”

Sue has always wanted to visit all the art galleries in Edinburgh. She didn’t dare though, because she didn’t want the stress –  missing announcements, people thinking she’s ignoring them, the quiet of an art gallery and so on. Now, with Elvis by her side, she knows she’ll be fine, and is making plans for that trip already.

From being that cute little puppy, looked after and trained so well by Norman and Joyce, supported by trainer Jo, and sponsored by you, Elvis is now helping Sue every day, in every way. Thank you.