Hearing Loss Turns Into a Big Gain for Bright Local Student

What once served as a frustrating discovery for Winnacunnet High School sophomore RJ Lee has turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him to shine on a national stage.

Lee, a North Hampton resident, has significant hearing loss in his left ear, which requires him to wear a hearing aid. 

Through his younger years, Lee had struggled through school, although test after hearing test showed normal results. Lee didn't think anything of the fact that he sometimes didn't hear his teachers correctly or missed words during conversations.

It wasn't until seventh grade that audiologists and doctors were able to determine that Lee wasn't registering sound properly on his left side due to a stroke he suffered while in his mother's womb. 

The years since have been refreshing for Lee, who is now a high honors student. His renewed passion — and aptitude — at school also helped him garner the attention of the coaches for the Southern New Hampshire team in the Gallaudet University Academic Bowl for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a national education-focused trivia competition for students with audial impairments.

Lee and his three teammates performed exemplary last weekend during the three-day regionals portion of the competition in Rochester, N.Y., earning them a spot at nationals in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 2014.

Lee said he was "very excited" and "speechless" to have even been selected for the team, let alone help them place fourth overall at regionals, because he was the only sophomore and only non-senior who competed against students from around the country last weekend.

"It was a bit nerve-wracking at first, but when I realized that I was doing well in the competition, I was less nervous and I got more confident in myself being with upperclassmen," said Lee.

The chance to meet people from around the country and be a part of something big next April is what has Lee most excited about the team's nationals berth. It also doesn't hurt that the backdrop of the competition is D.C., as Lee's a history and politics buff who plans to pursue a career in political science.

"That doesn’t really happen often," Lee said about the number of schools and students converging at nationals. "Not many people come from across the country to one spot at the same time. I'm just excited about meeting everyone.

"I also will enjoy getting to compete against the competitors from across the country. I think it will be a challenge, but I think I can do well."

The opportunity is the culmination of an emotional turnaround for Lee, who was initially pretty "disappointed" after his diagnosis because it came a significant way into his development.

"I never knew that my hearing was wrong," said Lee, whose right arm and leg are also weaker than his left arm and leg due to the stroke. "It was a little shocking to me, and I was surprised it was not diagnosed sooner. I wish it was diagnosed sooner. It could’ve helped me a lot.

"I think that if it was discovered earlier in my life, I could be in a better position now academically. It really could’ve improved my life if it was discovered when I was younger."

That said, Lee admits his current lot in life is pretty good.

"I’m so glad that [the hearing impairment] was discovered," said Lee, the son of the owners of The Beach Plum. "If it was never discovered, I would be in a bad situation still and have bad grades and would not be doing well in school."

Lee fully embraces all of the sports and Hollywood "underdog" and "phoenix" clichés that could be written about his upcoming trip to nationals — "We barely made it," he said, noting that only the top four regionals teams advance — as he readies himself for what he hopes is a unique competitive and academic opportunity.

"I'm thinking of going to the academic bowl every year until I graduate," said Lee, who also said not many students get a chance to appear in multiple academic bowls. "I hope to improve every single year until I graduate. Hopefully I can do better every year and hopefully I'll improve [as both a competitor and as a student]. Hopefully I'll meet new friends every year."

More details about the academic bowl can be found here.