Sue Young has spent a lifetime adapting to change — and finding strength in it.
Born with bilateral moderate to profound hearing loss, Sue began wearing hearing aids at six years old. Back then, hearing technology looked very different. She remembers the bulky devices, the cords, and the ingenuity of her mother, who sewed a small pouch with an elastic band to hold her hearing aid in place.
“It’s hard looking back to my younger self,” Sue reflects. The devices were “big, scratchy, and difficult to manage” and Sue had to wear a headband and a long cord that wound around the back of her neck.
For many years, hearing aids supported Sue well. But over time, her hearing continued to deteriorate. She was later fitted with bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs), which helped for a while — until they didn’t.
“Then one day I came home from work frustrated and took the BAHA’s off, and that’s when I realised it wasn’t working for me.”
Sue and her son Geoffrey , trying out a new assistive phone for a local newspaper.
A hearing test confirmed what she already suspected — her hearing had declined further. That moment led Sue to consider a cochlear implant, and in 2014, she received her first implant.
For years, Sue did well with her cochlear implant. But a chronic infection in her right ear — the ear that had been implanted and later reimplanted — eventually meant she needed another surgery. In November 2025, Sue underwent a reimplantation in her other ear.
“It was a challenging time, as I had been told it will be a lot of hard work,” she says. “But I was looking forward to the new reimplantation — especially getting relief from the chronic ear infection.”
Sue approached the process with determination and a positive mindset, even knowing the road wouldn’t be easy.
What’s followed has exceeded even her own expectations.
“It is amazing — I can hear conversations clearly and not have to say ‘pardon’, I can hear music and the clicking of the keyboards,” she says. “Recently we were sitting in the dining room having a cuppa, and I said to my husband and our friend, ‘Is that the fridge door beeping?’ And it was.”
One recent moment stands out.
“To hear my friend speaking on the phone was absolutely tearful — it was amazing! We couldn’t stop talking. To hear her voice over the phone — wow!”
Sue acknowledges the people who supported her along the way.
“All through my CI journey, I have had the most fantastic support from Christchurch and Lower Hutt SCIP teams. How can I thank you? And not forgetting Phil Bird, the ENT surgeon!”
But Sue’s story isn’t just about her own hearing — it’s also about the impact she’s had on others.
For 27 years, Sue has been at the heart of a local hearing-impaired support group in Taranaki. Her connection to this community began decades earlier.
After joining the NP Hearing Association in 1974, Sue and a hearing therapist later started the Women’s Hearing Impaired Group in the 1990’s but sadly, the Hearing Association closed its doors in 2006 due to lack of quorum.
“Myself and another committee member, Susan, continued this group, which by then had included the men, and the group was renamed NP Hearing Impaired Social Group,” explains Sue.
Over the years, the group has continued to evolve.
“There was a strong social group from the beginning and right through the years. And now the group not only has hearing-impaired but also CI members.”
“Members say they have greatly benefited from the group with our companionship and friendship.”
Sue has countless memories from her time leading the group — from picnic lunches in the park to van trips around Taranaki.
Despite trying to step back from coordinating the group over the years, Sue found herself continuing in the role — like many community leaders, waiting for someone to put their hand up.
Now, after nearly three decades, she has finally passed the baton on.
“Having handed over the co-ordination of the group, it seems strange. It’s a relief to hand it over to someone else. I know Julie and Murray will be amazing.”
For the first time in many years, Sue can take a well-earned rest — though her passion for supporting others remains as strong as ever.
“My feeling is that the more people who are aware of the group, the more we can support like-minded people,” she says. “As there is no Hearing Association in our area, we’re here to help anyone with hearing loss who may be struggling.”
“My words for those who are hesitant about a CI — please go ahead and make enquiries and talk to other CI’s about their journey,” she says.
She doesn’t shy away from the reality that the journey can be tough in the beginning — but she’s equally clear about the outcome.
Sue and her husband Ralph
“It’s a hard journey at the start, but the benefits are outstanding at the end. To be able to look, see, and realise ‘I can hear that’!”
Today, one of Sue’s greatest joys is music — something she once thought she might never fully experience again.
“My goodness, listening to Lang Lang playing the piano… that is the greatest joy!”
Sue’s story is one of resilience, generosity, and quiet determination. It’s a reminder that progress doesn’t always come easily — but with perseverance, patience, and support, it does come.
The NP Hearing Impaired Social Group in Taranaki runs a range of monthly activities from January through to November. These gatherings are a great chance to connect, enjoy a chat, hear from guest speakers, and visit places of interest — along with mid-year and end-of-year Christmas luncheons. If you’d like to join, or find out more, you can email Julie & Murray Beck at murraybeck@hotmail.com.