Teen Girls Bond Over Hockey and Hearing Loss

Niccum and Gagliano have become friends in life and high-level hockey

Kailey Niccum and Maddie Gagliano lead their daily lives like most teenage hockey players. They go to school, hang out with friends, and play lots of hockey.

The two girls have formed a bond despite living in different states (Niccum lives in Minnesota, while Gagliano calls Illinois home). That bond goes beyond what takes place on the ice. Each girl lives with hearing loss.

Niccum began losing her hearing by age 2 and wears a cochlear implant in her right ear. She hopes to receive a similar implant in her left ear within two years.  MORE…