From Darkness to Light: The Story Behind Len and Pam’s Gift

Christmas came early for The Hearing House with a special gift from Len Byles, a Hearing House kiritaki/client, and his wife Pam. Len gifted us a special piece of artwork (MEGA), that he created especially for our community. 

Pam and Len Byles in front the newly installed MEGA artwork 

MEGA takes its form from the Kanso 3 cochlear implant (CI), drawing together the many stages, people, and relationships that make a cochlear implant journey possible. The piece serves as a visual acknowledgement of our audiologists, therapists, rehabilitationists, and the wider Hearing House team whose support surrounds every CI recipient.

It also honours the surgeons and medical professionals involved, and, most importantly, the families who walk every step of the journey alongside their loved ones. 

The outer koru lines have been reimagined as upright, structured forms, symbolising the clarity and direction of sound that recipients experience — the completion of a process that transforms lives. 

Len installing his artwork on The Hearing House wall 

MEGA also carries the imprint of his wife Pam, who has been an integral partner in both his artistic and cochlear implant journey. During their visit, Pam shared a thoughtful and deeply personal reflection.  

She noticed how the building itself moves from dark panelling at the entrance into bright white walls as you walk through, with a touch of our signature Hearing House blue. She immediately connected this transition with her own experience supporting Len: the early uncertainty and difficulty of “the dark” and the unknown, and then the gradual shift into clarity and confidence. Finally, into the bright, hopeful “light” found in communication, community, and connection. 

Her words capture what is at the heart of the cochlear implant journey. It is not just about a clinic and technology; it is also shaped by the needs of our kiritaki/clients and their whānau. 

The Hearing House team and Natasha from Deaf Aotearoa helping Lee with the installation

We are deeply grateful not only for the gift of this artwork, but also for the generosity of spirit that Len and Pam brought with them. Len was kind enough to personally install the piece for us, adding a special touch of care and connection to an already meaningful gift. 

MEGA now has a special place within our building — a symbol of resilience, partnership, and the many hands and hearts that make our mahi possible. 

Some of the team with Pam and Len, celebrating the new piece of The Hearing House (MEGA)