Massachusetts Baby Born Deaf Hears Parents’ Voice for First Time With Cochlear Implants
“Oh, man. It was almost like a weight was lifted off my heart, not my shoulders,” Tyler Sinclair said.
It was a moment of indescribable joy for two Massachusetts parents: Their 10-month-old baby, Charlie Sinclair, heard their voices for the first time since birth.
Charlie, who was born deaf as a result of a genetic disorder called Usher syndrome, was able to hear due to receiving cochlear implants, electronic hearing-assisted devices surgically placed in her at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Cochlear implants are small electronic devices equipped with microphones that relay and transmit sounds to the implanted device inside Charlie’s head.
“To know she can hear and understand the sounds like birds chirping and being able to experience that. And knowing that she’s going to go blind, I wanted her to really experience everything she could,” said Tyler, Charlie’s dad, in an interview with WBZ-TV. Charlie’s medical condition will ultimately result in blindness as she becomes older.
Although it’s only been a week since Charlie received the surgery, her parents are impressed with her progress. Her mom, Erin Sinclair, said Charlie is able to crawl, sit by herself, and balance herself.
While the cochlear implants have helped with her hearing, Charlie will still require supportive services. Erin and Tyler are raising funds to support Charlie’s developmental needs.
“It’s particularly important for someone like Charlie because when she loses her vision in the future, having another sense like hearing is critical for her,” said Dr. Divya Chari, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon with UMass Memorial Medical Center.
“It’s an adventure every day, but a positive adventure,” Tyler added.
