When I Saw This Deaf Woman Hear For The Very First Time, I Was In Tears!

Joanne Milne, 40, from Gateshead, was born deaf, and during her 20s also began to lose her vision due to the rare medical condition Usher Syndrome.

But last month she was fitted with cochlear implants and after 40 years of silence the life-changing procedure has meant she is now able to hear.

The incredible moment when she hears a nurse going through the days of the week was filmed by her mother and shows her bursting into tears in shock.

After the procedure, Ms Milne talked about the aftermath of the procedure, and how it’s already impacting her life and how she can already see her life changing in the future:

“The switch-on was the most emotional and overwhelming experience of my life and I’m still in shock now. The first day everybody sounded robotic and I have to learn to recognise what these sounds are as I build a sound library in my brain”

“Hearing things for the first time is so, so emotional, from the ping of a light switch to running water. I can’t stop crying.

“I can already foresee how it’s going to be life changing and the implants will get better and better over time, I’m so so happy.”

“Over the last 48 hours hearing someone laughing behind me, the birds twittering and just being with friends – they didn’t have to tap my arm or leg to get my attention, which is a massive leap for a deaf person.”