St. Jude Helps Aspiring Archaeologist Thrive After Treatment-Related Hearing Loss

As a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patient, Michael Conger spent much of his time in a hospital room. That was hard on a 6-year-old boy. 

“There really wasn’t much to do, so I would watch movies and read books,” he says.

One movie character caught the leukemia patient’s imagination – Indiana Jones, a fictional archaeologist and adventurer.  An archaeologist is a scientist who studies past human life and culture. They dig at sites to find things like tools, pottery, bones, and buildings.

The character, played by Harrison Ford, was known for his rugged charm, fedora hat, leather jacket, and whip. Soon Michael was seen around the hospital in an Indiana Jones costume.

“He wore that hat to every procedure,” remembers Michael’s mother, Laurina. “He would get up in the morning and put my brown eyeshadow on his cheeks and his chin to make it look like he had a 5 o'clock shadow. And he had a bag that he carried around that kind of looked like an archaeology bag that Indiana Jones had, and he had a little soft, stuffed whip that played the theme song."

In a way, Michael is still playing Indiana Jones. The 26-year-old is on his way to becoming an archaeologist. He recently graduated from Louisiana State University and plans to begin graduate school as soon as he can save up the money.

Overcoming health challenges

Earlier in life, Michael and his mom did not know what the future held for him. After a rare side effect called acute leukoencephalopathy—a condition that causes swelling in the brain—Michael had to relearn to walk and talk. He also began to lose his hearing. 

Hearing aids helped, but Michael’s hearing kept getting worse. After several years and much thought, Michael decided to get a cochlear implant at St. Jude. 

Cochlear implants work differently than hearing aids. Hearing aids make sounds louder. A cochlear implant is placed in the ear by surgery. It changes sound into signals. Then special therapy helps the brain learn to understand those signals.

Life-changing implant

Getting the implant changed Michael’s life. It made it possible for him to pursue a career in archeology. 

The job requires close collaboration with colleagues and being able to hear during digs as archaeologists discuss their finds and ask for help. 

“Communicating in the field is very important because you have to work together to make sure you are following the proper protocols,” Michael says. “When you find things it’s good to be able to say, ‘I found something.’  When I need help, having the implant has helped me communicate better and work in the field as an archaeologist.”

For people considering a cochlear implant, Michael says it is normal to feel nervous about it. He advises people to ask their care team any questions they have and to take their time to make a decision.

“Trust the doctors and nurses.” Michael says. “They know what they are doing. It can be scary, but there is nothing to be afraid of. You know you are in good hands.”