The amount of challenges a body can endure is pretty remarkable. In Soundtrack of Silence, author Matt Hay takes us through his journey with NF2 (Neurofibromatosis, Type 2,) a rare disorder that has affected him throughout his life, robbing him of his hearing, causing facial paralysis, and tampering periodically with his mobility and balance.
Even more amazing is the human spirit, something that Matt has curated and strengthened while dealing with NF2, empowering him with a drive to move forward instead of wallow, and to share his story with a mixture of humor and wisdom.
This is an advanced copy that I’ve had for a while and, like so many other memorable books, appeared in my mood reading queue at just the right time. Here, at the beginning of a new year, where starting fresh and making resolutions is the norm, it was fascinating to read about someone whose medical challenges have necessitated that he make life resets in abundance. RE-solutions, or “solving again,” facing old challenges packaged in new ways with determination, is a pattern in which both Matt and his incredible wife, Nora, have become veterans.
Simply put, NF2 is a (usually) genetic condition in which benign tumors grow along nerves. For Matt, the tumors’ location affects sound to effectively reach the brain. Confronting the removal of these tumors, which keep returning, is one thing. Recovery is another. The possibility of new medical issues arising from each surgery is something else. Factor in the strain on mental health, finances, and family, and this man has not had it easy.
So where does the soundtrack fit in? Despite grappling with sub par hearing most of his life, Matt Hay adores music. Melodies, lyrics, and the marriage of these elements with the right voice and instruments have sustained him in a formidable way. It may seem unfair that someone who loves music so much has struggled to hear it, but that struggle has also created insight and opportunity at different times. One of those tender mercies whose purpose unfolds when you least expect it.
This is an important book which will yield different takeaways for different readers. Some will feel inspired by Matt Hay’s dogged determination, some might decide to finally have their hearing checked, and still others will use his story as a way to put their own difficulties into perspective. Whatever the reason, it’s a book worth reading with an author worth knowing.
9/10 Stars for the writing, but 10/10 for the inspiring story. You can visit Matt Hay’s website at: https://hearmatthay.com/
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