News spread online yesterday about a deaf woman, with Usher syndrome, who can be seen crying with joy in an online video when her cochlear implants were activated for the first time.
According to Mail Online, Joanne Milne, aged 40, began to lose her hearing as a toddler and in her twenties, also her sight. In the video, moments after the implants were switched on, hospital staff begin to read out the days of the week to test how they working. The sensation of sound for the first time ilicits a reaction from Joanne that has touched people around the world. The video had been viewed 100,000 times in 24 hours.
The video doesn’t have subtitles but to summarise, the days of the week are being read out and then Joanne breaks down. She speaks with the hospital worker and explains that the sounds seem high but it is explained that this will sort itself out in time as the brain adjusts. More crying follows and the hospital worker congratulates Joanne on the achievement. Then the months of the year are read out too. ‘Could you hear those words’ the staff member says as Joanne covers her face. ‘Yes, yes’ Joanne says as she struggles with her emotions.
Read the full story here: Hat-tip Rosalind Elman
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LJ.
March 28, 2014
Yes, it was very moving to read and see that, and I know exactly what she was going through and it did not surprise me she was so tearful and emotional.
I’m a 54 yr old life toughened guy whose dealt with life’s surprises and unpleasanties, but I also found that on my ci switch on I had the emotional wobbles too. I think it is the shock and marvel of the medical science, sometimes we are not really ready for these things.
Her hard work and persistence with the ci begins now, and I do think she will keep with it. There will be tiring times when everyday noise is too much but it *Really* does get better as time goes on and she should be prepared for a good couple of years for the ci to become fully accepted by her body.
I wish her well and that she enjoys it to the full, she’ll enjoy hearing some really amazing sounds that are out of reach for most hearing impaired people.
Martyn
March 28, 2014
It must be incredibly isolating to have no hearing or sight. To see this woman have some hearing restored after so long is quite wonderful. I wish her all the best.
Eva
March 28, 2014
I am sending my warm regards and congratulation to Joanne Milne. It is really an emotional story. Eva from Czech.
lou
March 28, 2014
I don’t get it? She’s described as having lived a life of silence but has the ability to speak, which would indicate she has been able to hear in the past? I am profoundly deaf, too, and am just curious as to how the media is reporting this supposed life of silence?
CJ
March 30, 2014
I had same emotions only hers we’re tears of joy. Mine were tears of sadness because mine FAILED.
CJ