Merry looks after Marilyn

We’re thrilled to tell you that Merry has been matched with Marilyn!

Marilyn had a hearing dog before, called Meme, a lovely King Charles Spaniel. However, as Meme was going deaf through old age, it was time for Marilyn to have a new hearing dog. For Marilyn, size was important more than breed, and so Merry, being a lively little dog, was just right.

The partnership begins

Marilyn has been profoundly deaf since birth. She tells us: “I went to a mainstream school because I could hear sounds and lip-read. I then worked in an office and dealt with the public face-to-face. Phone calls were handled by other staff.”

Work life was fine, as was home life while her children were around. Marilyn relied on them to tell her when the doorbell rang, or the telephone sounded. When they grew up and left home however, Marilyn realised how little she could hear for herself. “I started to struggle on my own. I had support at work, but none in the house. I wasn’t as independent as I wanted to be.

“Then, 13 years ago, a person started work who had a hearing dog. It seemed such a wonderful solution, offering not just the day-in, day-out help with sounds, but a means for me to regain control of my life.”

The result was her first hearing dog Meme. At work, Meme alerted Marilyn to sounds such as weekly fire alarm tests, and told her when people knocked on the door (he also helped de-stress Marilyn’s colleagues!). At home, Meme listened for the sounds Marilyn’s children used to help with, such as the doorbell.

As Meme started to lose her hearing, Merry took over helping Marilyn lead an independent life. Meme then became a much-loved pet, but very sadly passed away recently.

Marilyn explains Merry’s role: “Merry helps greatly with my home life. I rely on her for all kinds of sounds such as the cooker timer, doorbell and smoke alarm when I use the grill! It’s especially comforting at night, because I know I won’t sleep through any alarms.”

As well as receiving practical help, Marilyn is no longer anxious or isolated. Indeed, quite the opposite: Merry is a real conversation starter. Marilyn explains: “I have people come up to us when she has her coat on and ask me about Hearing Dogs. It’s lovely to have these conversations.” We often find this. A hearing dog not only makes people aware of a person’s deafness, it encourages other people to interact with them. It can be the key to helping deaf people feel more part of the community around them.

What’s next?

Marilyn is living a content, confident life. With Merry’s help, she continues to be independent, safe in the knowledge that, should there be a fire or smoke alarm, Merry will alert her. Meanwhile, Merry helps with everyday sounds, as well as entertaining her with her sparkly character. “She is so lovable, bouncy, active and sociable, great with children”, says Marilyn. “Overall – lovely!”

They are very happy together. As her sponsor, you have been part of this story. With your help, Marilyn continues to enjoy the support of a hearing dog.

As this story ends however, another begins. Deafness is on the rise, and with it, demand for more hearing dogs. We would love it if you would consider sponsoring another pup – but whatever you decide, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, thank you so very much.