Episode 1: My Cochlear Implant Journey - Getting Started

In the very first episode of Live Out Loud, host Kyler Mentzel sits down with someone who’s been by his side through it all — his wife, Bria.

Bria opens up about the day everything changed — when a baseball injury left Kyler with a severe concussion and complete hearing loss in his right ear. She shares what those first few days were like, the emotions that came with the unknown, and how their faith helped them navigate the challenges that followed.

Together, Kyler and Bria talk about the life-changing moment they discovered the possibility of a cochlear implant, and how Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing played a crucial role in Kyler’s recovery and rehabilitation journey.

This episode gives listeners a heartfelt look at hearing loss from a spouse’s perspective — the fears, the prayers, and the victories that come with rediscovering sound and hope.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Bria’s emotional retelling of the day of Kyler’s injury
• How their family leaned on faith and community support
• The role Autumn Oak played in helping Kyler regain his hearing
• What life looks like now — and what “living out loud” really means