Stephen Miles is a Louisville native and has been a Heuser Hearing Institute patient for nearly six years. He’s a former Pro Stock national motorcycle drag racing champion who turned pro at the age of 16. He won his first national championship, The American Motorcycle Drag Bike Championship, in 1982 and has competed all across the country.
But despite being around loud noise for many years, it wasn’t hearing loss from the effects of roaring bikes that brought him into Heuser. Miles fell off a ladder in 2003 while installing a bird feeder and hit his head. After going to a national motorbike event, he didn’t feel quite the same and knew something was wrong. He spent five years talking to specialists all over the country, trying to get an answer to his pain and discomfort. Finally, he was advised by a country doctor just outside of Louisville who told him to “go get your ears checked at Heuser Hearing Institute.” Miles said it was the best advice he ever got. “I was diagnosed in 30 minutes,” he said. A Heuser Hearing Institute audiologist diagnosed him with a balance issue. Within eight months, he was able to get back on his motorcycle. “I still have to be careful, but Heuser has helped my issue become manageable,” said Miles.
Miles now competes in land speed racing on 650cc motorcycles. “I was happy to get back to the point of simply riding motorcycles,” said Miles. He’s semi-retired, works part-time at a Yamaha dealership in town and enjoys spending time with his family.