LOS ANGELES - December 15, 2004 - Producers of "The Swan" on FOX brought two of the television program's contestants to the renowned House Clinic to seek treatment for their hearing loss as part of their transformations. After undergoing comprehensive hearing tests with audiologists Doreen Boettcher, M.A., CCC-A, and Mary Bailey, M.A., contestants Gina Davis and Lorraine Norus consulted with ear specialist William H. Slattery III, M.D., who determined that both women would receive significant benefits from digital hearing aids. Clinical audiologist Melinda Switzer, Au.D., CCC-A, fitted each woman with state-of-the-art hearing aids that delivered a greater level and quality of sound than either had experienced in years.

Gina Davis, who has lived with profound hearing loss all her life, was overcome with excitement the day she returned to the House Clinic and received her Phonak Supero behind-the-ear BTE) digital hearing aid and SmartLinkTM FM wireless system. As soon as her audiologist had fitted and tested the new aid, Gina announced she could hear even the softest sounds like a producer whispering instructions to the cameraman as they prepared for her interview. For the first time in her life, she could understand most of what was being said without relying on lip-reading or sign language. Then her audiologist carried the transmitter (microphone) of her Smartlink system out into the hallway of the Clinic to test its effectiveness for verbal communication at a distance. Gina heard and understood every word — and burst into tears of joy. "Getting this hearing aid and FM system is definitely the most life-changing and important aspect of my transformation," Gina stated. "I just can't believe that I'm hearing so much now, and I can't wait to go home and hear my son's voice." Gina's "Swan" episode aired on November 1, 2004, and she has been selected to compete in "The Swan" pageant, which is slated to air on Monday, December 20, 2004.

Lorraine Norus was the second "Swan" contestant to receive treatment for her hearing loss at the House Clinic in Los Angeles. Although her "Swan" episode, which aired on November 29, 2004, did not highlight her hearing loss treatment as a major aspect of her transformation, it was a dramatic change for her. As Lorraine explained to Dr. Slattery and audiologist Melinda Switzer, she'd lost her hearing over time and had never told anyone about it or sought treatment. Unlike Gina, who had used a combination of lip-reading and sign language to communicate, Lorraine had simply relied on visual cues or repetition to guess what people were saying. "Because Lorraine has never received treatment for her moderate hearing loss, I predict that the benefits she receives from in-the-canal (ITC) style directionally intelligent hearing aids in both ears will be significant," said William H. Slattery III, M.D.

Like Gina, Lorraine began to cry as soon as her custom-fitted, Widex Diva digital hearing aids were in place. "This is a very emotional moment for me because I can hear what everyone in the room is saying, and for years I've been asking people to repeat things for me over and over again — allowing them to assume I'm stupid because I don't always give the appropriate response to their questions," said Lorraine. "This will make a huge difference in my self-esteem and in how I communicate and interact with people."