Deaf woman hears her voice with new hearing implant

By: Bailey Johnson
Topics: Viral Video

(CBS) - For all the videos we post here at The Feed, it's rare to capture a truly life-changing moment like the one above. Sarah Churman is a 29-year-old woman who was born deaf and has relied on hearing aids her whole life - though she writes, "hearing aids only help so much." That all changed when she received an Esteem hearing implant. Her husband shot this heartwarming video of activating her implant and "hearing myself for the first time."

Sarah writes on her YouTube channel: "I had an implant put in 8 weeks ago called The Esteem Implant by Envoy Medical. I was born deaf and have worn hearing aids from the age of 2, but hearing aids only help so much. I have gotten by this long in life by reading lips. This was taken as they were activating the implant."

The high-tech Esteem implant is embedded in her ear and works off of ear drum vibrations, unlike most hearing aids which use microphones and speakers. Sarah may have been able to hear some things before, but never like this. The joy and tears on her face can attest to that.

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by Dunwerken June 2, 2012 2:27 PM EDT: I can't believe I'm the only one who isn't buying this story!

Two things:

1. Watch her
2. Listen to her

1. She is not looking at the woman's lips... she's looking at her eyes. She responds to sounds and voices around her.
2. She speaks perfectly

Okay, so now what is wrong with that picture?

If she was really deaf from BIRTH, she never would have learned to speak so clearly and she most certainly would be using sign language and a translator, not "lip-reading" to 'hear' what people are saying.

Anyone who has not been able to hear their own voice for an entire lifetime, would not have anywhere near the grasp of the language that she has.

I submit the story is a great human interest story, but it's fake; Reply to this comment

by reddy040 October 1, 2011 11:40 PM EDT

Are they trying to get rid of those deaf people and expecting them to speak instead of using their hands. You are ashame I prefer ASL.. GO FIGURES.....

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by andacar August 8, 2012 4:33 PM EDT: Obviously your political agenda is more important than actually doing anything positive for anybody else. Why don't you ask HER what she wants?

by reddy040 October 1, 2011 11:37 PM EDT

I just wanted to say... How about me???? I lost my hearing at the age of 3 and worn my hearing aid ever since then. Why cant they do something to get the implant on my ears? Will my insurance cover for that whole 30,000? I dont think so.... I'm in all with the pro and cons. You hearing people never never really understood how the deaf people feels. If the insurance will cover without me paying the portions. The insurance is really a crap. I'm sorry to say this but I dont even care if she been deaf for 29 yrs. I've been deaf since age 3 and now I'm 54 years old. Will they provide me with this implant? HAHAHAHA..... Cure there is no cure for any deaf to hear with 100%.. COME ON PLEASE YOU PEOPLE.... You just watch other deaf people will start complaining and say bad things. BE AWARE I WARN YOU!!!!!

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by EllieLight October 6, 2011 4:53 PM EDT: Like we owe you anything? If you want to hear, pay for it yourself. I needed glasses at 5. There was no insurance back then. For 40 years I or my parents paid for glases and contacts and exams. I guarantee with inflation this totals more than the 30k now asked for this procedure. Insurance finally covers it. This technology is only 5 years old. In 20 years it may get covered by insurance. But in the meantime, if you want it, you pay. Don't burden me and mine with your expenses.


by ManYunSoo October 1, 2011 7:54 PM EDT: Just one in a long string of reasons why we should push our kids into science and engineering instead of letting them waste time and money on useless liberal arts degrees.; Reply to this comment


by nowthatumentionit October 1, 2011 1:19 PM EDT: Hats off to all the biomedical engineers and industrial designers who devote their lives to creating devices like this to give others a better life. Truly amazing stuff.; Reply to this comment


by wiview October 1, 2011 2:28 AM EDT: Life-changing is exactly right. And this young woman has lived with limitations for long enough that this was her dream-come-true moment. It's hard to imagine what it would be like to only be able to know what is being said by directly facing a speaker or singer. How great it is to see her joy; it must be even more satisfying for those who made this break-through possible. Congratulations to all!; Reply to this comment


by broke_daddy October 1, 2011 1:27 AM EDT: I'd wish this gift to everyone who needed it. Maybe someday. Great to read and see something so positive.; Reply to this comment


by momdf October 1, 2011 12:22 AM EDT: This is awesome! My son is deaf and speaks beautifully. Children who are deaf have been raised "oral" for a long time, even before the advent of cochlear implants. It takes ALOT of work for the child, parents, and professionals! It is very sad when people who know nothing about hearing loss make comments about their perception. Those ignorant perceptions make life quite difficult for our deaf population. Congrats to Sarah; who has worked tirelessly her entire life for communication and participation in the world!; Reply to this comment


by scottpatrick1234 September 30, 2011 10:31 PM EDT: What a beautiful young woman.; Reply to this comment


by Overruled1 September 30, 2011 8:03 PM EDT: Life is full of good things, if only the were reported more often than the bad.; Reply to this comment

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