For Margaretha Guenther, it is incredibly frustrating when she can’t hear people clearly. She often finds herself asking people to repeat themselves, and when that becomes frustrating, she’s less inclined to participate in conversations.

“I feel like hearing loss has taken part of my life,” says Margaretha, one of many Canadians struggling with hearing loss. “I have been missing a lot of conversations with people.”

To her surprise, Margaretha was nominated by Jacqueline Araujo, the Audiologist at ListenUP! Canada in Ingersoll, for the National Campaign for Better Hearing. The campaign awards hearing aids to those who really need them and promotes hearing health and hearing testing to those over 60.

“I can’t believe this is a real thing and that I am a recipient,” says Margaretha, “You hear about other people and you never think it will happen to you.”

Margaretha encourages anyone who thinks they may have hearing loss to get their hearing checked as soon as possible.

“The sooner the better,” Margaretha insists. “I would not want those with hearing loss to keep missing out on so much.”