Laura Whitaker

Laura Whitaker HearStrong Champion

Laura Whitaker

2019 Pure International Ms. America • Registered Nurse

“Being able to hear better allows me to live every moment to its fullest. No matter what I am doing, I am able to live life fully and be present hearing the sounds of the world around me.”

Laura’s Hearing Journey

When Laura entered preschool, her teacher noticed that something wasn’t right. She suggested that Laura should get her hearing tested. Through testing, it was discovered that Laura was born with congenital severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Laura’s parents wanted to provide Laura with the best possible tools she needed to succeed. At four years old, Laura was fit with her first pair of hearing aids.

Since Laura received her hearing aids at a young age, she doesn’t have any memories of not being able to hear, but she vividly remembers the first day she received her hearing aids. She noted how loud the world around her was, that she hadn’t been aware of prior. She immediately began hearing new sounds, like the birds chirping and the cars passing on the nearby interstate.

Importance of Hearing Better

Laura appreciates how much her hearing aids have benefited both her professional and personal life and allow her to live her life to the fullest. As a traveling cardiovascular intensive care nurse, it is extremely important for her to hear what is going on around her. With her hearing aids, she is able to listen and react to the slightest of changes in her patients. She is grateful that in intense situations she doesn’t have to waste any precious time wondering what she heard because that can be the difference between life and death. In 2020, her hearing aids allowed her to serve her country in a time of great need. She worked as a COVID-19 ICU nurse in New York City at the height of the pandemic.

Being able to hear better allows her to interact in public situations and build strong relationships.

“Hearing better allows me to be present in the moments that build a relationship. Whether in my marriage, family relationships, work or friend relationships, being able to hear intimate conversations, socialize, enjoy events and get-togethers allows me to enjoy life with those people who are special in my life.”

Why Laura is a HearStrong Champion

Laura is a HearStrong Champion because she has dedicated her life to helping others. Despite having a hearing loss, she has conquered every goal she has set after. In addition to being a traveling nurse, Laura spends a great amount of time volunteering with Waiting to Hear and Pure International Pageants. In July 2019, Laura was crowned Pure International Ms. America. She went on to represent America on the national stage where she received 2nd runner up. Pure International Pageants empower women to #BeTheImpact in the world around them through service to others.

Laura is dedicated to showing people with hearing loss that they can do anything they set their minds to. She wants to tell anyone who is hesitant to seek treatment for their hearing impairment to face their fear head-on because there is no reason to be ashamed of needing assistance to hear better.

“It is important to seek treatment for hearing loss so that you are no longer missing out on the important sounds in the world around you.”

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