Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, GBMC Media Relations Manager

(O): 443-849-2126/Cell: 410-258-3465eMarch 2:]

Dream Nears Reality For Towson University “Hard of Hearing” Grad

BALTIMORE, Md. –   January 22, 2008 – Life is coming full circle for Towson University student Bridget Niedermeyer, who 18 years ago was identified with hearing loss at age four by audiologists at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and two years ago was fitted with a cochlear implant device by the Cochlear Implant Center at GBMC.  Today, the Baltimore County woman is preparing to graduate from college with degrees in speech pathology, audiology, and deaf studies, and apply to graduate audiology programs.

At GBMC’s Department of Otolaryngology “Better Hearing Health Open House” next week, Niedermeyer will share her personal story about how her hearing and quality of life have dramatically improved thanks to the care she received from audiology professionals.  The event is January 29, 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Physician’s Pavilion North I, Suite 250. Niedermeyer will speak at 2 p.m.  

Niedermeyer, who wears one hearing aid and one cochlear implant, attributes her career aspiration to become an audiologist directly to the care she received at GBMC.  “As a hearing impaired individual I have always been fascinated with the medical aspects and technology, and Regina Presley (senior audiologist in GBMC’s Cochlear Implant Center) has proven to be an amazing audiologist with an incredible ability to relate to her patients,” said Niedermeyer, a resident of Idlewylde.

Niedermeyer, who spent 10 weeks in GBMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) when she was born, is the only child in her family with hearing loss.  Neither her twin sister nor older brother experienced any hearing difficulties.  She said getting a cochlear implant at age 19 was “the hardest decision of my life, but the best one.”

“It took me at least six months to fully understand the benefit my cochlear implant was providing,” Niedermeyer  said.  “But my grades and studies improved dramatically and I had more energy at the end of the day because I wasn’t working so hard on lip reading. Now having my implant for two years, I feel that I have gained so much self- confidence. The cochlear implant has allowed me to be more comfortable in social situations, babysitting, and talking on the phone because my hearing has improved dramatically.”

Editor’s Note:  Niedermeyer is available for interviews in advance of, or at, the January 29 event. Please contact Michael Schwartzberg if you are interested.

 GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Hospice of Baltimore, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 292-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 60,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org

###