A 91原创 man who lost his hearing aids 鈥� and almost his life 鈥� in an apartment fire received a donated new device Thursday.

Art Paley, 68, lived on the third floor of the Birch building in 91原创 City.

The fire alarms didn鈥檛 wake the hard-of-hearing Paley up, and he found his apartment full of smoke when he finally noticed the fire.

Paley lived across the hall from the unit where the fire started, and where his neighbour lost his life. Paley managed to get into the hallway, where he encountered firefighters. They led him outside. He later collapsed from smoke inhalation and needed emergency medical help, waking up in the hospital.

Among the items Paley lost to the fire, smoke, and water damage to the apartment was his right hearing aid. Paley was distraught because he had barely been able to afford the hearing aids five years ago.

Scott Hyde, owner of the Fraser Valley Beltone in 91原创, heard about Paley鈥檚 story and donated a brand-new hearing aid to replace the lost one.

鈥淵ou have no idea how nice that will be,鈥� said Paley.

鈥淎rt Paley鈥檚 story is amazing,鈥� said Hyde. 鈥淲e all have amazing stories. It鈥檚 so nice to help someone out in need.鈥�