TWENTY THOUSAND HERTZ
EPISODE: He Was Deaf for 35 Years + Listener Stories Kickoff
DATE: March 23, 2026
HOST: Dallas Taylor

Episode Overview

This deeply moving episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz features “The Choice to Hear,” a story about regaining hearing after decades of deafness, interwoven with the official kickoff for the 2026 Listener Stories competition. The centerpiece is a first-person and family account of a grandfather’s cochlear implant journey, exploring the emotional, technical, and psychological dimensions of sound, hearing, and human connection. The episode concludes with candid reflections from host Dallas Taylor and Supervising Producer Casey Emmerling on storytelling, podcasting, and the importance of community-sourced audio stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Stories Competition Launch

• [00:01-02:15]
  • Dallas Taylor introduces the annual Listener Stories competition.
    • Submissions should be "about sound in some way, appropriate for all ages, and be around five minutes or less."
    • Open to everyone; top winner gets a $500 store credit.
    • Instructions and deadline: May 31, details at 20k.org/2026.

2. “The Choice to Hear” — Featured Listener Story

• Narrated and produced by Jesse Herrera

Childhood Memories of Silence and Sound

• [02:41-03:52] Jesse Herrera
  • Poetically describes a house full of noise, contrasting it with his grandfather Jidou’s experience of silence despite being surrounded by "a whole world of sound."
    • “But even though his house was a whole world of sound, his world was silent.” ([03:13])

Living Deaf for 35 Years

• [03:13-03:52] Harry Hakim (Grandfather, "Jidou")

  • “I was deaf for 35 years. I had never heard any of my 11 grandchildren.”

• Jesse recalls trying as a child to imagine total silence by plugging his ears – but realizing true silence is impossible for someone with normal hearing.

The Cochlear Implant Decision

• [04:07-05:12]

  • Medical explanation by Dr. Chris Epstein (Audiologist)
    • Cochlear implants are a new way of hearing, not a restoration of natural sound.
    • “It doesn’t give anybody normal hearing. It gives them a new type of hearing.” ([04:30])
  • Initial hesitation: After a failed surgery in the past and having adapted by reading lips, Jidou was against the implant.
    • “I thought I would only hear scratchy noise, not different sounds.” ([05:12])

• A turning point: Grandchildren urge Jidou to hear their voices.

  • “Joshua said, ‘Jidou, we want you to hear our voices.’” ([05:30])

Activation and Overwhelm of New Hearing

• [05:42-07:21]
  • Family gathers for the activation; first sounds are 3 soft beeps.
    • “My silent world was shattered by three soft beeps. And all I could say was, ‘I can hear.’” ([05:46])
  • The world becomes overwhelming: every noise is new or alarming, from wind to turn signals to restaurant chatter.
    • “It was like wanting a glass of water and finding myself in the pool.” ([07:21])

Adaptation, Brain Training, and Support

• [07:21-09:25]

  • Dr. Epstein on importance of wearing the device and auditory training.
    • “Once you know what a sound is, your brain can kind of put it on the back burner.” ([07:41])
    • Family and motivation are crucial for adapting and making sense of new sounds.

• Harry’s vivid description of discovering domestic sounds:

  • Buzzers, telephones, clocks become musical or, at times, overwhelming.
  • “But the garbage disposal was like a 747 in my driveway.” ([10:03])

Philosophical Reflections on Hearing

• [10:10-12:27]

  • Jesse reflects on the psychological side of hearing—how much of it is belief and association.
    • “What we hear is our belief of what’s happening. Jidou had to hear that garbage disposal with the understanding of what it was, enough times to train his brain to not believe that it was an actual 747 airplane in his driveway.” ([10:30])
  • Dr. Epstein emphasizes Harry’s positivity and gratitude
    • “He was so thankful to be able to hear, and be able to hear laughter, be able to hear the ocean, and being able to hear his grandkids.” ([11:46])
  • Most touching:
    • “If I knew every word in every language, I would not be able to describe this feeling of being able to hear again.” – Harry Hakim ([12:16])

• Dedication: Jesse closes by honoring his grandfather and offering ways listeners can support hearing loss education.

Reflections & Storytelling Insights: Dallas Taylor & Casey Emmerling

The Human Story Behind the Sound

• [18:39-20:52]
  • Praise for Jesse Herrera’s technical skill and emotional storytelling.
    • “So much of the nuance of storytelling that we’ve worked on for years was just inherently built into Jesse’s story.” – Casey ([18:39])
  • The best episodes blend human experience and technical topics.
    • “What we talk about all the time is when we can weave an emotional human story into that topic and learn something along the way...that’s what really makes a good podcast a great podcast.” ([19:04])

Community and the Listener Stories Tradition

• [20:52-24:20]
  • Early skepticism about audience submissions; astonished by diversity, quality, and heart in entries received.
    • “The feelings that I get hearing other people tell these incredibly beautiful stories, I just got...really emotionally overwhelmed...a huge sense of love.” – Dallas ([22:38])
  • Joy in hearing other people’s voices, seeing the global reach and emotional impact of the show.

Teaching & Skill-Building through Listener Stories

• [24:26-26:59]
  • Jesse now teaches, asking for sound design material to use in university classes.
  • Dallas and Casey reflect on the pedagogical power of making and sharing original audio stories, and how it sharpens creators’ thinking and skill.

The Feedback Loop of Creativity

• [26:59-28:43]
  • Making your own work helps “walk in the shoes” of storytellers and empathize with creators (not just service clients).

Why Listener Stories Matter

• [28:43-30:48]
  • Authentic, personal stories—no matter how “polished”—have unique value.
    • “Perfect isn’t what I care about...I want the humanity that comes with any story.” – Casey ([29:44])
    • Submissions from a 13-year-old are as valued as those from experienced sound designers.

Advice for Teachers and Aspiring Entrants

• [30:51-32:45]
  • Encourage agency, autonomy, and personal expression in students.
    • “It’s incredibly important to give someone full creative control. And I hope that it encourages people to just go, hey, I don’t need permission from anyone. Like, I can just make things myself.” ([31:15])
  • Theme: Finish, not perfect. Every submission is a victory of learning and expression.
    • “If this is your first step in going down this path, go for it...Don’t let perfection stop you from hitting submit.” – Dallas ([32:21])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My silent world was shattered by three soft beeps. And all I could say was, ‘I can hear.’” – Harry Hakim ([05:46])
• “It was like wanting a glass of water and finding myself in the pool.” – Harry Hakim ([07:21])
• “Perfect isn’t what I care about...I want the bumps and the humanity that come with any story.” – Casey Emmerling ([29:44])
• “If I knew every word in every language, I would not be able to describe this feeling of being able to hear again.” – Harry Hakim ([12:16])
• “What we hear is our belief of what’s happening.” – Jesse Herrera ([10:30])

Timestamps for Essential Segments

• [00:01] — Listener Stories Competition Kickoff
• [02:41] — Start of “The Choice to Hear”
• [03:21] — Harry Hakim on 35 years of deafness
• [05:33] — The emotional turning point: Grandkids ask their grandfather to hear
• [05:42] — Cochlear implant is activated: “I can hear” moment
• [06:14] — First overwhelming experiences of new sounds
• [07:41] — Dr. Epstein: How the brain adapts to new sound
• [10:10] — Reflections on ear training, reality, and sound’s meaning
• [12:16] — Harry’s inexpressible joy at hearing again
• [18:39] — Dallas and Casey reflect on why Jesse’s story is special
• [22:38] — Dallas on the overwhelming response to Listener Stories
• [29:44] — Casey on why “finished, not perfect” matters
• [31:15] — Encouragement for teachers and young creators

Overall Tone and Language

The episode is warm, personal, and inspiring—balancing poignant family memories, technical insight, and a clear invitation to all listeners to participate in the Twenty Thousand Hertz community. There is a strong emphasis on inclusivity, humanity, and the real impact of sound in connecting people across generations and cultures.

Takeaways & Call to Action

• Listener Stories are open—no experience required.
• Everyone’s story and perspective on sound has value.
• “Finish, not perfect.” Your voice matters.
• Submit your story at 20k.org/2026 by May 31.

Whether you’re an audio pro or just someone with a story about sound, this episode demonstrates both the power of hearing—and the power of being heard.