9 People Hearing For The First Time

A cochlear implant (CI) is a relatively new technology that's given thousands of profoundly deaf individuals the ability to hear. There's controversy about this procedure within the deaf community, but it's pretty amazing to watch the experiences of people hearing for the first time after a successful CI activation. Here are nine. (Inspired by Veronica's post.)

Nikki

This is amazing. Nikki hears for the first time. More about her story here.

Kevin

Kevin seems pretty psyched.

Drew

Drew hears his dad's voice for the first time.

Jonathan

Via Veronica.

Gabriel

Gabriel was just kind of terrified by the whole experience.

Elena

Tehya

Solomon

Harold

This one isn't a cochlear implant, but the expression on his face is pretty evocative. The photo, taken by photographer Jack Bradley, shows the moment that Harold Whittles hears for the first time after being fitted with a hearing aid.