From the heartwarming to the tear jerking, here are Audicus’s favorite videos of patients hearing for the first time with the help of their digital hearing aids, showing what a gift sound truly is.
1. Sarah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsOo3jzkhYA
Sarah Churman suffers from sensorineural hearing loss and received her first implantable digital hearing aid at age 29. Watch the video to see how Sarah reacts when she hears herself clearly for the first time! Churman has authored a memoir Powered On, if you want to read more about her story.
2. Kai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyY2JfM1RlM
Four-year-old Kai has major damage in both ears and this video features her exuberant welcome to sound with her new digital hearing aids.
3. Raia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKMJ-El0sA
Raia has bi-lateral progressive hearing loss that began at age 2.5. At age 21 she receives her second cochlear implant. To Raia, the second is just as good as the first as she is overwhelmed with the difference in sound.
4. Joey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO2XBuDwybM
Joey suffered from hearing loss due to spinal meningitis that he contracted as a 4 year-old. When his hearing aid was no longer sufficient as his hearing loss progressed, Joey opted for a cochlear implant at age 31. Watch the YouTube video to see his cochlear implant being activated for the first time!
5. Shelby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwLidIw_NPY
Shelby is an 11 year-old boy with a lot of spunk! In this video, he receives his second cochlear implant but is shocked once it’s activated. Shelby also voices his opinions on how he feels about the adjustment with a second cochlear implant. Check out our blog on acoustic adaption in order to understand why Shelby struggled at first.
6. Charlotte
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK520GL_hLQ
Baby Charlotte wears her digital hearing aid for the first time and reacts to her excited mother’s voice.
Read more about the power of digital hearing aids.