[VIDEO] Deaf Woman Hearing For The First Time — 40-Year-Old Finally Hears Sound – Hollywood Life

Deaf Woman, 40, Hears For The First Time — See The Heartwarming Video

An incredible new video captures the moment when a 40-year-old English woman who had been deaf since birth hears her own voice for the very first time. Watch her emotional reaction right here! Joanne Milne was born deaf, and also began to lose her vision in her 20s due to a rare medical condition known as Usher Syndrome. But after 40 years of living in silence, Joanne was able to hear for the first time after being fitted with cochlear implants in February. Her mother filmed the life-changing moment that instantly became an Internet sensation.

By:
Reading Time: 2 minute
March 28, 2014 10:59PM EDT

Deaf Woman Hearing For The First Time — 40-Year-Old Finally Hears Sound

In the emotional video filmed by her mother, Joanne bursts into tears of shock and joy as she listens to a nurse read the days of the week. It is the first time she has ever heard another person speak, and the first time she’s ever heard her own voice. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by this truly moving clip.

“The switch-on was the most emotional and overwhelming experience of my life and I’m still in shock now,” Joanne said in an interview with The Telegraph. “The first day everybody sounded robotic and I have to learn to recognize 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,” she added. “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.”

And we are so, so happy for her! What an amazing moment.

Joanne Milne: This Is A Massive Leap For A Deaf Person

Joanne, who is also blind, said the procedure has strengthened her senses and helped her become more aware of her surroundings.

“I’m also attempting to use the telephone at one point but it’s one step at a time as it’s all so daunting. It’s the small things that are huge life changing experiences to me right now and this will probably last a few months,” she said. “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.”

So HollywoodLifers, were you touched by Joanne’s video? Have you ever seen anything like it? Let us know!

— Tierney McAfee

More Heartwarming Videos:

  1. Taylor Swift Visits Young Cancer Patients In Heartwarming Video
  2. Beyonce Sings & Dances With Cancer Survivor, 12, At Her Concert
ad