Hearoes Tour Impact: A Life-Changing Journey for Veteran, William M.

Jaime Motes
Apr 3
3 min read

Updated: Apr 7

William M. – A Veteran's Journey to Better Hearing

Veteran, Age 60-69

*This is not an actual photo of William, but William M. is an actual veteran served through our Hearoes Tour; this is a true story.*

First Screened: August 15, 2024 – Ravenna VA Clinic, Ravenna, OH

The Ravenna CBOC is an outlying VA clinic that lacks audiology services.

Hearing Challenges

William was living with bilateral moderately-severe hearing loss, persistent ringing, and a reliance on lip reading after a stroke 13 years ago. His hearing test results indicated a significant decline:

Left Ear: moderately-severe
Right Ear: moderately-severe

From Screening to Treatment: The Power of the Care Team

When William was screened in August 2024 through our Hearoes Tour outreach, our Care Team leader, Molli, immediately stepped in to ensure he received the support he needed. Despite facing significant barriers—such as not having email and limited access to resources—Molli was persistent, checking in regularly, scheduling appointments, and offering continuous guidance.

Breaking Barriers

Initial Challenges: Molli faced difficulties reaching William initially, but his hearing health profile made it clear that he needed assistance and was eager to receive help. By December, William responded to our Care Team's outreach efforts.
Appointment Scheduling: Molli assisted William in securing an appointment with the Chief of Audiology, Dr. Moenter-Rodriguez, at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Clinic who provided exceptional care.
Logistical Barriers: William’s journey to care wasn’t easy. He had to make multiple visits, rely on VA bus transportation (coordinated by our Care Team), and even undergo ear blockages being cleared twice.
Unwavering Support: Throughout it all, our Care Team made sure that William received the support he needed, never giving up on him. We were there every step of the way.

March 25, 2025: A Life-Changing Moment

After months of effort, William finally received his bilateral hearing aids on March 25, 2025. The transformation was immediate and life-changing:

The TV volume dropped from 38 to 13.
He can now hear his phone ring and hold clear conversations.
He even hears his sister fussing at him—something he’s truly grateful for!

Additionally, the VA is submitting a claim for his service-connected hearing loss, which could lead to much-needed disability benefits.

The Impact of Your Support

Thanks to hearing healthcare sponsors such as Cochlear Americas, CaptionCall, Lenire, Phonak, ReSound, Amplifon, Otokiosk, and Eargo, veterans like William are receiving life-changing care. This is just one of many stories made possible through the tireless efforts of our Care Team and the support of our generous sponsors.

Our Care Team ensures ongoing support for William, offering advice on regular checkups, proper device use, and lifelong hearing health management. Our mission is clear: empower, educate, and guide patients to become lifetime advocates for their hearing health.

Strengthening VA Partnerships & Expanding Impact

Every individual we assist represents a free service to VA audiology teams, helping reduce their workload while ensuring veterans receive the care they need. With each interaction, we continue building bridges, earning trust, and fostering relationships—a process that requires dedication and time.

This is not a story of instant success; it is the result of:

10 years of persistent outreach.
A proven, data-driven approach to conversion.
Overcoming barriers, including a global pandemic that nearly derailed our efforts.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our hearing healthcare sponsors and are actively seeking additional sponsorships to fund our ongoing efforts. With your support, we can continue to expand our reach and impact, helping even more veterans regain their hearing, independence, and quality of life.

To support as a donor, please consider a MONTHLY PLEDGE of just $10 a month or a one-time donation. $10 pledges or one-time gifts of $120 or more will be recognized on The Giving Wall traveling across the U.S. at over 200 events on the Hearoes Tour. Learn more HERE.