Hearing Herself for the First Time
by Trent Gilliss, senior editor
“My whole life I’ve been complimented on how well I speak. I don’t really have an answer for you other than I have always had a passion for reading, grammar, and English. My hearing loss was/is considered severe to profound. I’ve worked very hard to be able to interact and blend in…only thing I can say is ‘God is good.’”
—Sarah Churman
Here, in the public radio world, we often find ourselves preaching about the importance of listening. Somehow witnessing this video of a 29-year-old woman truly listening to herself for the first time after receiving a middle ear implant makes our words seem shallow. The beauty of sound personified.
Born deaf, Ms. Churman had been wearing hearing aids since the age of two, she replied to one commenter, but “hearing aids can only help so much.” We can only imagine the overwhelming music of hearing oneself laugh and speak and cry for the first time. Oh, and if you’re wondering, she has a Texas accent!
