John Smoltz using AI-powered hearing aids after golf ball hit him in the face

Posted by author January 31, 2025 Golf

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ORLANDO, Fla. – John Smoltz never saw it coming. The skulled wedge shot that nailed him right above the eye last summer during a round of golf at Atlanta Athletic Club left a baseball-sized welt. Smoltz said when his playing partner yelled “Fore!” he only had time to turn his head slightly before impact, estimating that the ball was traveling about 100 mph.

The Hall of Fame MLB pitcher described it as the scariest moment of his life.

Incredibly, Smoltz called a baseball game the next day from the booth, telling the astounded makeup artist to do the best she could.

At this week’s LPGA season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Smoltz, a two-time winner of the celebrity division, is wearing hearing aids to help the lingering effects of the accident. He’s had them in a couple of months now and is thrilled to be able to hear his grandkids again.

“My description of it is it’s like being underwater,” said Smoltz. “I can’t clear my ears, and I can’t hear certain tones. Everybody was like talking in a can to me, and my voice cracks – to me.”

The hearing aids use AI to adjust to Smoltz’s environment, toning down loud noises and bringing up the low ones.

“I think when it’s super windy, I probably, you wouldn’t wear them because I can hear the wind rattle in my ear,” said Smoltz, “and then if I don’t turn off my app, I’ll get phone calls in my ears.”

Smoltz currently sits in share of ninth, six points behind leader Joe Pavelski.