According to Healthy Hearing, two out of every 1000 children are born with hearing loss. There are many reasons why this can happen, such as premature birth, low birth weight, birth injuries, and infections like rubella or herpes simplex. Genetics and maternal diabetes can also contribute to hearing loss in babies. However, the most effective treatment for hearing loss in infants is through cochlear implants.
Thanks to the internet, we can witness the emotional and powerful reactions of children when they finally hear their parents’ voices. A father named Paul Addison shared a video of his daughter Georgina’s reaction when her hearing aid was turned on in the morning. The video went viral on Twitter, and Addison shared it to spread awareness of the joy his family experiences each day. Georgina was diagnosed with severe deafness shortly after she was born, and her doctor suggested hearing aids.
As soon as Georgina heard her parents’ voices, she was completely delighted. Addison said, “It was a relief, we saw quite quickly that they were working well. A real sense that things could get better.” The video touched the hearts of thousands of people who chimed in with their own experiences.
Addison advises other parents of children with hearing loss to talk to charities that offer solutions. “Engage with those sorts of people, it’s such a huge comfort,” he said. With technology and resources available today, there is hope for children with hearing loss to have a better quality of life.