Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Coleman

The first legally deaf player in the National Football League offense, Derrick Coleman has battled a hearing impairment since age 3. He adapted by teaching himself to read lips at an early age, and now wears state-of-the-art hearing aids made by Starkey Hearing Aids, manufactured in America.

Coleman was first introduced to the Starkey product when he was playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Starkey's offices were next door to the Vikings training facility.

Coleman plays in front of a home crowd at Century Link Field that is considered the loudest in the league. The noise Coleman hears now with his hearing aids is the sound of the crowd cheering.

Coleman isn't defined by his deafness. He is defined by the way he has overcome his deafness. In a way, his deafness has become his strength. What an inspiration to us all!

Kristi Murphy A.A.S., HIS at Post Falls Hearing Aid Center, located at 780 N. Cecil Road, Suite 103, Post Falls (208) 457-8878.