Deaf Girl Cries After Hearing Herself Talk for the First Time: ‘Hey! I Sound Weird’
- Posted on May 28, 2012 at 9:56am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Sammie Hicks hasn’t been able to hear for as long as she can remember. Recently, that changed. And cameras were rolling when it did, leading to a touching video that reveals the miracle that many take for granted.
The 10-year-old Hicks, from Colin County just northeast of the Dallas metroplex, has kept a video diary, and that diary captured the moment she was given back her hearing earlier this month. She visibly jumps when her hearing implant — which was inserted in April — is turned on, and shortly after begins to cry as she hears herself breathing and then talking for the first time.
“It sounds weird,” she said aloud. “Hey! I sound weird”:
“I started to cry because it was overwhelming,” she told local ABC affiliate WFAA-TV. “I had no idea what the sounds were.”
Hicks may only be 10, but she’s mature beyond her years. Not only has she treated her hearing impairment with grace, but when she finally got her hearing back earlier this month, she offered some simple, yet profound observations.
“I asked her why she cried,” her father, Brian Hicks, told WFAA. “She said, ‘It was overwhelming. But the reason I really cried? I couldn’t believe all the stuff I was missing.’”
“Just because you’re deaf, doesn‘t mean you can’t go and do the things you want to do,” Sammie added.
Sammie has offered several video updates since her implant was turned on. Here she talks about her teacher sounding like a “robot”:
And here she reacts to hearing — literally — that she was going to be on the news (don’t let the still shot fool you — she was pretty excited):
Sammie’s story may sound familiar. In October we brought you the video of 29-year-old Sarah Churman. Like Sammie, she had never heard her voice until she was fitted with an Esteem implant from Envoy Medical.* When she heard it for the first time, she wept, too:
*The name of the implant has been updated.
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Comments (53)
bigdaddyt46
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:28amwhat a beautiful story and a beautiful little girl. it gives hope that one day in the future these devices will be readily available and as affordable as a loaf of bread. God touches drs. everyday to great discoveries such as this.
@Societal Misfit
there’s an old saying that says God does the surgery, the surgeon collects the fees.
@ScienceIsNotEvil
give it a rest already. noone is interested in your God bashing especially on joyful stories like this.
God has a purpose in everything he does and for His reasons alone. one of his many, many gifts is he gives scientists the ability and minds to invent and implement things such as this to aide his children.
if non-believers had thier way children such as this beautiful little girl would have been killed in the womb before she was even born. i will contie to keep you in my prayers that one day soon, before it’s too late you will stop denying the Triune God.
may the joy that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. AMEN
Report Post »loveliberty83
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:14pmwell if Obamacare kicks in- only people they seem worthy will get anything so guess there will be a lot of payoffs to get your surgery
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 4:09pmIs you goal to steal the joy? Is it because you never had any joy?
Report Post »Ramv36
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:09pmThis is no doubt a beautiful story. Unfortunately, as the above poster truthfully pointed out, such a beautiful story may not be possible under our future healthcare system.
Report Post »The truth hurts just as much as this story uplifts. Don‘t out your head in the sand because you’re afraid to face it.
As a great man once said:”Truth is a dangerous thing, As such, once found, you should never turn your back on it”
patspeak
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 5:32pmGod Bless America for inivetive technology. Shame that prgressives can’t have tears in their eyes about this beautiful young girl once again hearing, after reading and viewing video this on the BLAZE.
Report Post »b.mclane
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 12:43amrlewispitt
Report Post »*shaking head*
You actually signed in so you could post that snotty comment? Can’t you just be normal for one second? Turn off the computer. Go outside. Pet a dog. Take a walk. Breath fresh air. Be glad you are alive.
thetreyman
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 5:16pmblaze, you need to make a minor correction. sarah churman did not get a cochlear implant, she got the esteem implant. they are different.
Report Post »Societal Misfit
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:43pmI love to watch things like this it is so amazing how far technology has really come. There are some out there that would consider this as man playing God but I happen to believe that this is more God giving man the ability to help another human being have a better quality of life. All of our senses are gifts not to be taken for granted, although many of us that have never experienced the loss of any of the senses often do. This is the type of research that I would have no problem being funded either privately or by taxpayer dollars because the end result is so worth the cost. To see a persons reaction in such cases as this, well you just can not place a dollar value on it. God bless Sammie and all the other people that are getting to hear for the first time as well as their families and the medical staff that help make things like this possible, but most of all praise be to God for giving us the ability to achieve such things.
Report Post »Small World
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:38pmAlways love a happy story there are too few now days. God bless America.
Report Post »bookaday
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:44pmSammie Hicks – Are you reading this? I almost never post my opinion but your story touched me. Two statement of yours stay with me “She sounds like a robot…everybody sounds like a robot” & “it was not what I was expecting…and that’s all I have to say.” Don’t lose hope…think of the implant as a tool. You are going to master the tool in your own time. I thought I had super powers, when I was not much younger than you are now. Well you do have super powers! I bet the implant becomes better and better and your mastery over it will grow by leaps and bounds. Who’s to say what something SHOULD sound like. Just because you experience sound differently than me – doesn’t make my experience correct. I can understand you being a little bummed that human voices sound computer generated. But just hang tight – and I bet they are working on improvements. James
Report Post »thepatriotic1
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:40pmOh my goodness. Thank you Sammie for allowing us to share your miracle. I cried right along with you. May God bless you and your family.
I am going to post this on my website to.
Report Post »22AUTOMATIC
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:59pmI remember when Glenn did the shows from Wilmington Ohio and the story of the child he helped with the special new high-tech hearing aid; he helped change that youngster’s life forever. It was one of the miracles he featured that week during those episodes. I couldn‘t find the footage of him first discussing the child’s hearing loss but found more about the story for those who want to take a trip down memory lane.
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/200/49378/
http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=7898
Report Post »Doctor Nordo
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:43pmThese stories are amazing. I think it’s impossible for most people to comprehend what this experience must have been like – to all of the sudden have access to another sense that you have never experienced and have no comprehension of.
Report Post »KeithOlberdink
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:03pmCan a device be made that simply drowns out liberal speech?
Report Post »burnbabylon
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:20pmDo you really want mimes and puppet shows?
Report Post »1armscissor
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 2:01pm@ oblerdink
Where can I get a bumper sticker like your avatar?
Report Post »LostInTheSpin
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 4:33pmhttp://www.zazzle.com/gtfo+bumperstickers
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:59pmSweet..I ordered three.
Report Post »Oh, and the youngster was marvelous.
Codger
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:46pmThank you Sammie for sharing your miracle.
Report Post »JenHicks
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:23amI really like the article and collections of videos you used! Sammie likes it too! :) Every day is full of new sounds and challenges. Her brother just had the same surgery and is eagerly waiting his turn on day in a week and a half. Thank you for sharing her story!
Jen Hicks, aka Sammie’s mom
Report Post »MidwestMomof3
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:38amThank you, Jen, for sharing Sammie’s story with us! Watching her brought tears of joy to this momma’s eyes, too!
Report Post »Please, let us know how her brother does when his is turned on!
God bless!
proliance
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:41amSimply awesome. I be lying if I said I didn’t cry also when I watched the video.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:59pmsomething got in my eye……..
Report Post »I wish your daughter the best!
truthseekerusa
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:13pmThe story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for allowing the Blaze to share this miracle with the viewers and to the staff that presented it with such loving care. On this Memorial Day many of us have heavy hearts in remembering those who have been lost in protecting our country. Sammie’s beautiful face and joy on the videos has uplifted many hearts.
Report Post »IthinkIam
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:20amI will never forget my two year old sons’ lit up face when his aids were first turned on. He is 18 now.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:11amIn your Mind, your Voice is interpreted by your Ego… so, a recording of your Voice never sounds like you would have thought!
Report Post »Jayms
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:42amI must not have a very interesting ego then – my inner voice sounds just like my real voice :)
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:11pmLUKERW, no, thats not how it works. Your recorded voice sounds different because you are used to hearing it through your head to the ears, as well as through the air to the ears. Ego has zero to do with it.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:34pm@LIB…
Report Post »So, people with Rough, Strong, Voices… who perceive their Voice as Soft & Mild… have a Head stuffed with SawDust… as opposed to the opposite, who must be Empty Headed?
THXll38
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:57amThe things we take for granted. I can only imagine what is going threw the heads of these people when they get a sense back.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:05amYour right abd I thank the Lord for inventions such as these that help people with disabilities
Report Post »Dandylyon
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:55amHow would she know she sounds weird?
Report Post »Building-5
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:50amthis is SOOO cool, Good for her-!!
Report Post »beckwill
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:49amAwwww, I love to cry when it’[s over such sweet and wonderful things like this!
Report Post »Todd Decker
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:45amConsidering how EVERYONE knows that the American health system is THE WORST in the entire universe, at least until Obama Care fully kicks in, I guess this girl had her implant installed in Cuba, where the world’s GREATEST health care system resides. ^_~
Report Post »TheReasonableLib
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:17amWay to politicize a happy event. Good job!
Report Post »mopman64
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:48pmSometimes you do need to give politics a rest. This is one of those times.
Report Post »ScienceIsNotEvil
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:45pmWell about 40% of the posts right now are calling this a miracle giving all the credit to their god instead of the teams of scientists and doctors who actually made this possible…
Report Post »perry1980
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:24amGood for her and great for Modern technology
Report Post »Reagan_Patriot
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:24amYes, PTL for his blessings. Thank God for American ingenuity.
Report Post »Building-5
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:54amHe IS Great., Good comment.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:23amThis video brightened my day. God bless you Sammie!
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:14amWe take the little things in life for granted. While this girl rejoices for being able to hear for the first time, others her age are blowing theirs away with ipods and the like. Good story.
Report Post »hi
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:07amIt makes me cry too! Praise the Lord!
Report Post »ScienceIsNotEvil
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:46pmYou are praising the very being who made her deaf in the first place. How does that make sense?
Report Post »mauijonny
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 4:46amGeeze. Can’t we just say “YAY!” for this little girl?
Report Post »BubbaCoop
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:36am“You are praising the very being who made her deaf in the first place.”
That’s not really accurate. Our physical ailments trace back to original sin. Genesis records that Adam and Eve began to die at the moment of their sin, and the entire universe exists under that curse. That includes genetic defects.
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