Haley Aaron
Special to the Enquirer

For 36 years, Ed Rose has lived in a mostly silent world. High-powered hearing aids have allowed him to hear some sounds, but he has suffered hearing loss for his entire life. However, a cochlear implant could give Ed Rose the gift of hearing.

“This could be a life-changing thing for my son,” Ed Rose’s father Eddie Rose said. “This type of surgery has been around for a while but it’s been developed and refined and it’s to the point now where we feel like this will be a great benefit for him.”

During the surgery, doctors will install a device behind the ear that will send electric signals to the inner ear to stimulate hearing. After learning to interpret the signals, Ed Rose may be able to talk on the phone.

“He is excited about the surgery but he’s also nervous,” Rose said of his son.

Rose’s family has discussed the procedure with a doctor in Birmingham who will perform the surgery. However, insurance will not cover the cost of the procedure, which will cost approximately $60,000.

Eddie Rose, a longtime ALFA insurance agent, discussed the need for a fundraiser with fellow members of the Tennessee Valley chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

“We had a breakfast board meeting recently and I was sharing with them what was going on with my son,” he said. “I mentioned that it was a more personal thing and they were kind enough to adopt this as a special project to enable Ed to have his surgery.”

The organization, which has planned golf tournaments to raise money for a number of local charities, sprung into action and organized the benefit in about a month. Rose is humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support from NAIFA and the community.

“People have just been wonderful to donate and offer help,” Rose said. “My wife and I and my son have been touched, it’s been unbelievable. “Several individuals and organizations have provided food, prizes and monetary donations to make the tournament a success.

“We’re just getting a really great response from individuals,” Charlie Gandy, an ALFA insurance agent and NAIFA member said. “That vouches for the type man that Eddie is; we feel blessed to be able to be a part of it.”

The golf tournament will be held at Quail Creek Golf Course on Sat., Oct. 20. Prizes include Iron Bowl tickets and a car awarded if a golfer makes a hole in one.

Individual golfers and teams of four players can register by contacting Ron Ryan at (256) 507-2796 or Charlie Gandy at (256) 612-2074 by Friday. Golfers can also register the day of the tournament. Registration is $75 per player and includes lunch and golf cart use.

Donations may also be sent to the following address: PO Box 2405, Decatur AL 35602-2405. Checks should be addressed to NAIFA – TN Valley, Ed Rose Fund.