Ulyssess Ates

Success Story of Ulyssess Ates

Division: DRS-DHHS

When Ulyssess Ates became ill in 2006, he never suspected that it would lead to deafness.

Mr. Ates, a U. S. Post Office letter carrier from Houston, came to DARS in the February 2007 upon the referral of his physician. In the Fall of 2006, Ulyssess had contracted an infection that caused his hearing to quickly deteriorate for which he needed hearing aids. But by the time he came to DARS that February, he had completely lost all remaining hearing, rendering his hearing aids useless.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Ruthie Sawyer and Hearing Loss Resource Specialist Teri Wathen counseled Mr. Ates. They educated him about cochlear implant options that he would benefit from and introduced him to other technologies that provide visual access to communication.

Mr. Ates received binaural cochlear implants with supplemental auditory rehabilitation therapy through a combination of DARS funding and private insurance coverage. In order to aid communication, DARS helped provide a special phone called a “Cap Tel phone” which allowed phone conversations to take place between Ulyssess and his employer. Also, since he is required to use a cell phone during work, telecoil or “t-coil” compatible telephone equipment was purchased, which allows Mr. Ates’ cochlear implant to pick up special assistive hearing technology wireless signals.

“Mr. Ates was completely deaf and could not understand speech when I began working with him. Every time he came into my office I had to type on the computer for him to be able to understand my questions. Because of DARS assistance with binaural cochlear implants he can now understand speech and recognize sounds,” said VR Counselor Sawyer. “Before he felt like his life was taken away when he lost his hearing, but now he is getting back on track and able to understand conversations.”

Thanks to the work of DARS’ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, VR Counselor Sawyer and Hearing Loss Resource Specialist Wathen, Ulyssess is still working for the Post Office, enjoys listening to music and talking to his family.