The severity of Jim's hearing loss has affected his relationship with family, friends and coworkers, who frequently thought that he was ignoring them: "People would be talking to me (behind me), but I couldn't tell. Beyond a five foot radius, I can't hear."
Since Jim received a hearing dog, life has been looking brighter. Addy not only provides a degree of independence for Jim, but also provides reassurance and security for his wife of 32 years, Amber. Addy's invaluable role in Jim's life was reconfirmed one day with Addy alerted Jim to a sound in the kitchen. Unbeknownst to him, the smoke alarm was loudly buzzing. Addy guided Jim to the source of the sound. Jim was shocked to find black smoke streaming out of the kitchen toaster: "At that point, I realized what a gift I had."
Jim Allan and Addy, CCI Hearing Dog
