Watch: The moment a deaf and blind woman hears for the first time after having ear implants switched on

Most of us take for granted being able to hear our friends laugh, the sound of running water or the ocean. But for one 40-year-old woman, hearing these things was completely life-changing.

Screen Shot 2014-03-27 at 13.27.19

by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Joanne Milne, who has been deaf since birth and blind since her mid-20s, is noticeably overcome with emotion as she hears for the very first time in the video below.

After receiving cochlear implants to allow her to hear, Joanna Milne is shown sobbing as the Doctor switches them on.

'I can't stop crying and I can already foresee how it's going to be life changing.'

Since birth Joanne has suffered with Usher Syndrome - a rare genetic disorder which results in a combination of hearing and sight loss.

Following an operation to receive hearing implants, Joanne has to wait an agonising four weeks to see if it had been successful.

Having never heard anything before, Joanne puts her hand to her mouth as she says: 'Wow, it is absolutely amazing.'

But the 40-year-old, who attended the appointment with her friend Tremayne Crossley, said she's got a long way to go before she'll be comfortable with the noises around her.

She said: 'I'm still in shock now. I have to learn to recognise what these sounds are as I build a sound library in my brain.'

'I can't stop crying and I can already foresee how it's going to be life changing.'

'Over the last 48 hours hearing someone laughing behind me, the birds twittering and just being with friends…they didn't have to tap my arm to get my attention.'

Jo's friend, Tremayne Crossley, has made a playlist of songs for his pal to hear for the first time - one from each year of her life.

The list includes Kate Bush, Prince, Tracy Chapman, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's and Radiohead to name a few.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us