Hearing-Impaired Woman Becomes Audiology Doctor To Help Others Like Herself

When Meghan Westman was just one year old, she became one of the youngest people in the United States to receive a cochlear implant for hearing loss.

This month, she is now graduating as an audiology doctor, helping others like her to hear again, just like she was helped many years ago.

It started when Westman was rushed to the hospital with meningitis when she was a baby. Doctors ordered auditory brain stem response testing, and unfortunately she had no response to it and was deaf in both ears.

She received her cochlear implant to help her hear again, and although it was a blessing to have her hearing back, growing up with an implant was tough.

Westman spent most of her life trying to hide her implant because it made her feel self conscious. In junior high school, she was indirectly bullied, and she also had a social delay since she was unable to pick up on conversations happening around her.

Despite her obstacles, she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“It’s shaped me into who I am today,” Westman told TODAY. “It’s made me stronger, and I wouldn’t change anything. Especially now, feeling like I’ve found my purpose and what I’m going to do for my career, it was all worth it.”

Now, as an audiology doctor, Westman will be able to give people the gift of hearing. As a cochlear implant recipient herself, she will truly understand what the patients are going through, which will in turn help them feel more comfortable and confident.

“Hearing loss, cochlear implants, disabilities in general, nothing can hold you back,” Westman said. “You can achieve anything you want if you put your mind to it and stay committed, dedicated, work hard, nothing can hold you back.”

Hear more of her inspiring story in the video below:

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