Deaf athlete Suzanna Hext set to hear Paralympic crowds for the first time

Deaf world champion swimmer Suzanna Hext is eagerly anticipating a new experience at the Paris Paralympics; hearing the roar of the crowds for the very first time.

Thanks to a rule change in 2023, Suzanna, who hails from Calne in Wiltshire, will be allowed to wear her cochlear implants during her races. This change will enable her to hear the cheers and support from the audience as she competes in the S5 100m freestyle event.

Suzanna, who was born with a hearing impairment and is now profoundly deaf, expressed her excitement about this opportunity. “Having that crowd and that feel of the atmosphere, it’s got to give you a buzz to get down that pool pretty quick,” she said. The cochlear implants she will wear are designed for people who are not sufficiently helped by hearing aids. Unlike hearing aids, which simply amplify sound, cochlear implants convert sound into electrical signals and send them directly to the cochlea, a part of the inner ear.

The Truro-born swimmer is feeling a whirlwind of emotions as she prepares for the Games, which will take place from 28 August to 8 September. “I’m super excited for the Paralympic Games,” she shared. “Obviously, absolutely terrified as well, so it’s a kind of mix of emotions.” In addition to the excitement of hearing the crowd’s cheers, Suzanna looks forward to having the “massive support” of her friends and family in the stands. She emphasised how much their presence means to her: “Emotionally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family and my partner and friends. It’s a team effort to get to this point.”

Overcoming adversity: Suzanna’s journey to the Paralympics

Suzanna Hext’s journey to the Paralympics has been nothing short of extraordinary. In 2012, at the age of 23, she was a promising young horse rider when a “freak accident” during a riding session left her paralysed from the waist down. The accident resulted in a broken pelvis, spinal cord damage, a shoulder injury and a brain injury. Reflecting on her life before the accident, Suzanna said, “Before my accident, life in some ways slotted into place. Life felt pretty perfect.” But the accident turned her world upside down. “My whole world fell apart,” she told BBC Radio Somerset.

This traumatic experience changed Suzanna’s perspective on life. “It does make you treasure every moment that bit more. I feel very lucky to be here today,” she said. Despite the challenges she faced, Suzanna has shown remarkable resilience. “If you think of how far I’ve come from the day my parents got the phone call to say I’d had my accident… it’s been a rollercoaster.

Finding hope and inspiration through sport

While in hospital, Suzanna found herself in a “rut,” but her spirits were lifted when she watched the Paralympics on television. “That gave me that nugget of hope,” she explained. Seeing other athletes “completely smashing it despite their disability” inspired her. “I was like, well, if they can do it, I can do it,” she recalled. Despite the daily challenges she faces, Suzanna finds solace in riding and swimming, saying that these activities allow her to escape her difficulties and feel free.

Looking ahead to the Paris Paralympics, Suzanna is eager to fully embrace the experience. “I just want to fully immerse myself in the whole experience,” she said. “Being around teammates, cheering each other on, that’s a massive part of it.” While she hopes to win a medal, Suzanna is content with knowing she gave it her all. “If I come out of Paris giving it everything I’ve got and knowing that I put everything in that I can, then I’ll be over the moon.”

Suzanna’s journey has been filled with highs and lows. In 2023, she triumphed at the Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester, just days after recovering from a respiratory illness linked to her asthma that required hospitalisation in a high-dependency unit. Her perseverance and determination are a testament to her strength and spirit, and she is now ready to take on the world once more at the Paris Paralympics.

With the prospect of hearing the crowds cheer her on, Suzanna Hext is set to make the most of every moment in Paris, continuing to inspire others with her incredible journey and unwavering resilience.