Hear for the Holidays winner offers thanks

Last week, The Mountain Times announced the winner of Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat’s Hear for the Holidays contest – Boone resident Barbara Searborough.

Searborough has been fitted with two ReSound Alera 7 hearing aids, batteries and all related services, all for free, courtesy of Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat. The hearing aids’ average retail price is $4,400.

Contestants were asked to submit essays for publication in The Mountain Times, stating a need and how they, or someone they know, would benefit from the services. Mountain Times readers then voted for the contestant they thought would benefit most.

Searborough received the most votes and later wrote a letter to thank contest organizer Dr. Mary Markovich, BRENT, The Mountain Times and the community members who voted.

“The overwhelming support for me from my community has astonished me,” Searborough writes. “Words cannot express my gratitude for the tremendous gift of hearing you have given me. I love my new hearing aids. I’m wearing them now, and I am amazed at the sounds of life I had been missing without even realizing it.

“It’s impossible to communicate what it’s like to instantly be able to hear these long ago forgotten sounds. I walked down the hall and not only heard someone talking to me but was able to clearly hear the words they said. Amazing.

“Only those who experience hearing loss can understand the frustration you feel with yourself and the frustration felt by those who work and live with you. I have been frightened for some time now that my hearing loss would eventually affect my livelihood. This worry has been alleviated.

“It is hard to be gracious without being humbled, knowing there are many others who would benefit from this same priceless gift. Once again, thank you for giving me this opportunity, and thank you to those who voted for me.”

For more information on Hear for the Holidays, call BRENT at (828) 264-4545.