Faye Ketu's ‘unexpected journey’

When Faye Ketu looks back on the past two years, she describes it as an "unexpected journey". It’s been one filled with challenges she never saw coming, but also incredible opportunities she never imagined possible.

For more than 25 years, Faye managed her hearing differences with hearing aids. As a nurse, she spent years working on contracts across Outback Australia, adapting as her hearing changed and expecting that she would simply continue upgrading her hearing aids when needed.

But in 2024, her life took an unexpected turn.

Just an hour and a half after landing at Auckland Airport following one of her trips to Australia, Faye suffered a heart attack. Thankfully, she survived, thanks in part to the rapid response and care provided by Hato Hone St John. The experience left her shaken and anxious, especially about flying, but another challenge was yet to come.

Six months later, Faye experienced a significant change in her hearing which impacted every part of her life. Conversations with family became frustrating, social gatherings became exhausting, and the normally self-confessed ‘social butterfly’ found herself taking more of a back seat.

"I was finding it too hard to join conversations with my closest friends," she says. "Their friendship meant so much to me that I persevered, but it was becoming harder and harder."

Her audiologist referred her to The Hearing House, where a comprehensive assessment in January 2025 revealed that she qualified for a cochlear implant.

"I was shocked, relieved and scared all at the same time," says Faye.

What followed was a journey supported every step of the way by The Hearing House team.

Audiologist Nick Jones, who also has a cochlear implant, guided her through assessments and rehabilitation with patience, skill and encouragement. Counsellor and whānau support Hazel Benson-Dawe helped her with vocalising some of the feelings she’d kept bottled up over the years, while the wider team coordinated appointments, transport assistance and practical support to make the process easier for Faye and her whānau.

After receiving her cochlear implant, Faye noticed a shift in the way she viewed her life.

Her confidence grew. Family gatherings became enjoyable again. Conversations around the dinner table were easier to follow. Most precious of all, she could chat with her grandchildren face-to-face and on the phone, hearing and understanding their voices with far greater clarity.

Then came even bigger milestones.

In April this year, Faye travelled to a memoir and life-review writers' retreat in Springbrook on the Gold Coast—a trip she undertook to celebrate her 70th birthday.

"There is honestly no way I would have even contemplated going if I didn't have the cochlear implant," she says.

Not only did she bravely board the plane despite her anxiety about flying, but she fully participated in workshops, group discussions and story readings throughout the retreat. On the flight, she made another exciting discovery: for the first time in years, she was able to watch a movie and clearly hear everything that was being said.

Most recently, Faye became the face of Hato Hone St John's 2026 Light the Way Annual Appeal, sharing the story of the heart attack that nearly took her life and the care that helped save it.

She has completed several interviews for the campaign—something she says would have been impossible without her cochlear implant.

For Faye, her cochlear implant has been about much more than hearing. It has restored her confidence, connection and independence. It has helped her embrace new experiences, celebrate milestones and share her story with others to help spread hope and encouragement.

Faye attended one of our recent Connect & Share events in Hamilton, where she shared her story with the group. She came with her friend, Catherine, who she says has been a huge support to her.

“Sometimes it’s good to share with others who are going through the same highs and lows,” she says. “I’m not saying it’s been all plain sailing with me, but I’ve certainly exceeded my expectations around what I thought I’d be able to achieve. It’s been an unexpected journey, but a good one!”

Faye Ketu