There are many things in our day to day that we may take for granted. And yet, they mean the world to those who may not have the same access to them. For example, rambling with your friends when you hang out, talking on the phone with them, or listening to their voice notes may come across as an ordinary thing. But for a deaf woman named Mandy, finally getting to hear her friend's voice was a momentous occasion.
In a video that has been making the rounds online since spring 2024, a Ring camera bears witness to a tender moment. Mandy, showing a little anxiety, calls on her friend. After her friend greets her and says her name out loud, Mandy breaks down crying and falls to her feet. Her friend is confused but supportive, prompting Mandy to break the news—she can hear now! They embrace, as Mandy shows her her new cochlear implant.
While many people have expressed how moved they are by the video, others have also shared their skepticism. From the way Mandy seems to sign “I” to the fact that the friend doesn't immediately ask her what's wrong in ASL or the way she keeps talking while Mandy has her eyes closed—as she may rely on lip reading—many wonder if the scene is real. Still, the sentiment shines through. With over 1 million people with cochlear implants, many must certainly feel overwhelmed by listening to a loved one's voice for the first time.
While we may not get to witness every single one of these moving moments, may cochlear implant users have kindly shared their experiences. Laurie Pullins told Cochlear Americas what it was like to hear her grandson's voice for the first time: “I cannot express the joy and happiness I felt when I heard my newborn grandson for the first time. His coos, his soft little sounds. I didn't care if he cried. I loved all those little sounds; the sounds I missed with my children when they were babies.”
If you'd like an extra dose of these heartwarming videos of people hearing for the first time, TikTok is luckily filled with many of these life-changing moments, from children to full-grown adults. To learn more about Cochlear implants, visit Cochlear's website.
An emotional video shows a deaf woman named Mandy getting to hear her friend's voice for the first time.
Sources: Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, & Dizziness; Hearing her grandchild's voice for the first time
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