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The ASHA Leader Online

 

"I Am in the Midst of a Miracle"

see also: Feature l Milestones

Karen Hornung, cochlear implant recipient, described in a letter to BHSC her experience of hearing her first sounds:

I know you will get a report from the audiologist. I wanted to give you a report from the heart. The past two weeks have been amazing. It's like being served a feast of sound after only tasting bits and pieces for the past 12 years.

I can hear the microwave beep beep beeping.
I can hear the phone ring loud and clear.
I can hear the doorbell ringing.
I can hear the redwing blackbird call.
I can listen to the radio and hear words where there used to be just noise.
I can hear and understand my husband reading to my daughter.
I can hear and understand my best friend on the phone.
I can hear my daughter whispering, "I love you," as we say goodnight.
I can even hear a sound like a chorus vocalizing.
I am told this is a sort of tinnitus, but it sounds like a chorus of angels to me.

                   I am in the midst of a miracle.
                   Thank you.



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