“Hello, my name is Maximiliano Osorio and I have bilateral severe conductive hearing loss, caused by a congenital malformation of my ears (bilateral ear canal atresia and microtia). In simple terms, this is like always experiencing sound as one may hear it when one is underwater, missing out on the clarity of sounds, the brightness of communication and the subtleties of the environment.” 

“My parents, Pedro and Soledad, worked hard to ensure that I could hear “well” from practically the moment of my birth. They managed to fit me with a bone conduction hearing aid, which I used from 6 months to 5 years. This device allowed me to develop language and communicate with my friends, but it was not very aesthetically pleasing and caused discomfort to the skin due to the pressure it exerted”, relates Maximiliano. 

“In 2014, thanks to a program from the Chilean Ministry of Education (JUNAEB) focused on the hearing health of students, I had the opportunity to undergo a bone conduction implant. The surgery took place on July 7 at the Dr. Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital, and this event marked a significant change in my life.” 

“It was like experiencing something magical. My relationship with my classmates improved, my mood rose considerably, my self-confidence grew day by day, and  I learned more easily than ever before. Today, at 17 years old, I am enormously grateful for this hearing technology that has allowed me to be a musician, grow, enjoy life and trust in the realization of my dreams if I set my mind to it.” 

PS: “I want to express my deep gratitude to my parents for accompanying me on this listening journey. I love them!” Maxi.