Taylor's Story
My name is Taylor Berndes, and this is the story of my journey with microtia, atresia, and hearing technology.
When I was born, my parents and aunt immediately began learning sign language because they were not sure if I would ever be able to hear. Fortunately, we discovered that I could hear, but I needed the help of hearing aids. This was because I was born with left-sided microtia and right-sided atresia. Originally, I wore my hearing aid on a soft headband, but as I grew older, I transitioned to a BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid), which completely changed how I experience the world around me.
Nursery and Reception - Finding my voice
When I started nursery school, I was incredibly happy and excited to meet new people. I was lucky to find a class full of kind, caring students. In fact, that’s where I met my best friend, who remains my closest friend today and will forever be the greatest friend I could wish for. I quickly learned that the best way to connect with others was to be friendly, kind, and willing to play with everyone.
During my first week at nursery, I took a book into nursery about microtia that was written by Microtia UK. The teacher read it to the class and then my class had the opportunity to ask any questions. I found it was the perfect way to introduce my condition and make everyone understand about hearing loss. Instead of being confused they told me my hearing aids were ‘very cool.’ That was a turning point for my confidence, it helped me realise I was no different from anyone else.
During my reception year my teacher took me to one side and told me something exciting was happening at school. There was going to be a special assembly for Sports Relief Day and she would like me to take part in it. On the day the whole school was in the hall and I sat at the front, on the stage. Then I saw the TV cameras in the hall and a lady from the BBC started talking to us all. Then came the biggest surprise of all – Harry Kane came onto the stage and talked to the whole school! He said he was really impressed with what our school was doing for Sports Relief and then he asked me to play games like hoopla and tag with him. This was shown on BBC1 later that night as part of BBC’s Sports Relief Day!
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 1 was the real start of school for me, this brought challenges as I had to adjust to a full-size classroom environment. I had an amazing support assistant who helped me navigate the ‘wall of sound’ that comes with a busy classroom.
Year 2 I did not struggle with as I knew everyone in my year, and I had a very kind teacher. My favourite memory of Year 2 was during the 2018 FIFA world cup when we did a class tournament and my country that I picked, France, won the tournament and I got chocolate which everyone was very jealous of.
Key Stage 2 - Radios, Recovery and Resilience
By Year 3, the lessons became more complicated. My support assistant suggested I use a radio aid – a microphone worn by the teacher that streamed their voice directly into my hearing aids. It was a revelation. I had not realised how much I had been misinterpreting until the words suddenly became crystal clear. My favourite memory of year 3 was being allowed to go on the trim trail on the Key Stage 2 playground during break for the first time.
In Year 4 a massive milestone arrived, I was told I could have an ear reconstruction surgery. While these new ears would not function for hearing, it would mean I would look like everyone else and people would not look at me for not having any ears. That same year I learnt to play the recorder and the clarinet, proving that my love for sound was not limited by my microtia.
Later that year during my best friend’s birthday party, I had to take off my hearing aids in order to wear a safety helmet. I faced the fear and had an amazing time. This was my most memorable moment as it taught me that nothing would hold me back.
Year 5 was the most important year of my life. This was the year I underwent ear reconstruction surgery. My class did something that I will never forget, they all bought me presents to say that they were thinking of me and wishing me a speedy recovery. My best friend made an envelope for every day I was in hospital so I would have something to look forward to during my recovery. It was the highlight of every day.
My favourite moment of year 5 was the day I came back to school after my surgery and the reception from my friends was magical. My best friend looked at my new ears and said, ‘I think your doctor isn’t a surgeon, he’s a magician!’
During Year 6 I had a further surgery to make my ears take shape, it was not as big an operation and I was only in hospital for a few days. Year 6 taught me resilience and if you put in the work good things will follow. I learnt this because it was the first year in which our school had sets. I started in set 3 maths, and I moved up to set 2 because the teacher saw I was working hard. It was the first year that I felt worried. This was because of SATS, I felt really determined to do well and I was terrified of failing, but now I know that primary school was for building our confidence, literacy skills, numeracy basics and teaching communication skills which would help move us forward into Secondary School.
Secondary School - No boundaries
Starting Secondary School was bittersweet, none of my primary school friends were joining me and I felt sad at leaving that support system behind. On the first day of Year 7 I pushed myself into conversations and began to make myself lots of friends.
I learnt to adapt, during a school trip in year 7, I was supposed to go kayaking, however due to my hearing aids I was not able to, therefore I moved from kayaking to rock climbing. Whilst I was sad to leave my new friends, it ended up being really cool as I tried something new and made even more friends.
What supported me the most in year 7 was the hearing unit at my school, it showed me that I was not alone in having hearing difficulties as other students also wore hearing aids the same as me. I have been learning sign language at school for the last two years which I am enjoying. I have passed my first exam and am working towards my level 2 certificate.
At the end of year 7 my family organised a charity football match at my brother’s football club. It was their team and me against our parents. We decided to give the money raised to Microtia UK as they have been so important to our family. We raised over £3,000 and it was something I am incredibly proud of.
By year 8 I finally took the leap and joined a football team. This was a big moment for me as I had always liked the sport, but I was worried about playing and frightened I would damage my Baha hearing aids. I took the risk in playing for a local football team called Hinton Revolution Legends and I enjoyed myself and nothing happened to my Baha’s. This taught me that nothing is off limits. Whether it was playing sport or riding the fastest rollercoasters at Thorpe Park, I learned that a few minutes of taking my hearing aids off was a small price to pay for a life full of adventure.
I still enjoy playing football for Hinton Revolutions, I have improved as a player. I was really proud to help my team win the league title in May 2026. It felt wonderful to be champions! I am now in year 10 and it has been my favourite school year. This is because I have started BTEC Media which is my favourite subject and something I want to pursue as a career.
Conclusion
From my experience of growing up with microtia and hearing aids I have learnt that you will always get stared at. It is nothing against you, it is just because you are special in your own way. When people get to know you, they will understand that having microtia is not anything to be ashamed of, if anything it is something to be proud of as it makes you stand out and be remembered.
I am forever grateful to my parents, who were at every hospital appointment and stayed by my side throughout all my surgeries. Because of that support and my own resilience, I know there are no obstacles in my way. There is nothing that will stop me from living my life to the fullest.