A 10-month-old Massachusetts girl has experienced sound for the first time after undergoing cochlear implant surgery in January.
Charlie Sinclair, the daughter of Erin and Tyler Sinclair, was captured on video reacting to sound during an audiologist visit at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, on January 29—two weeks after receiving the implants. These electronic devices were surgically implanted in her cochlea, the hollow, spiral-shaped tube in the inner ear responsible for hearing.
In heartwarming footage shared with media by UMass Memorial Health, Charlie is seen sitting on her mother’s lap. She lights up and turns toward her father as he rattles a sound book and speaks to her.
An external microphone, speech processor, and transmitter—attached to Charlie’s head near her ear—work in tandem with the electrodes implanted in her cochlea, helping her recognize sounds for the first time.
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Cochlear Implant: An Emotional Milestone
Erin Sinclair described the experience as overwhelming yet exhilarating.
“The activation session was very emotional,” she told Good Morning America. “It’s kind of exciting and overwhelming all at the same time, because you’re not really sure what to expect. They start at a low level and keep upping the volume until they respond, and then they back it down a little so that it’s comfortable. But the whole process was very involved and very emotional.”
Dr. Divya Chari, an ear surgeon at UMass Memorial Medical Center, emphasized the significance of early intervention.
“For children like Charlie who are born profoundly deaf, cochlear implants are nothing short of life-changing. Early access to sound through this technology provides Charlie with the ability to develop communication and language skills on par with her peers,” Dr. Chari stated.
A Surprise Diagnosis: Usher Syndrome
Charlie’s parents were unaware of her hearing loss for the first few months of her life. They were initially shocked when she was diagnosed with profound or severe deafness, but further testing revealed she also had Usher syndrome Type 1B—a rare genetic disorder.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Usher syndrome affects approximately 4 to 17 per 100,000 people. The condition, which is inherited or caused by gene mutations, can lead to profound hearing loss, vision impairment, and balance difficulties.
Embracing Both Sound and Sign Language
While Charlie is now learning to hear and process sounds, her parents are also ensuring she has multiple ways to communicate. They are actively learning and teaching American Sign Language (ASL) so she can have the option to use it as she grows.
“ASL is a really important form of communication, even for hearing families,” said Erin Sinclair. “That way, she has the ability to communicate, even when she doesn’t feel like wearing her cochlear implants.”
Her father, Tyler Sinclair, emphasized that their goal is to support whatever communication method Charlie prefers in the future.
“If we get older and she wants to just talk with ASL, then that’s her choice,” he said. “You gotta think about her more than yourself and what she will want for herself in the future.”
Charlie’s journey is a testament to how medical advancements, early diagnosis, and a supportive family can empower children with hearing loss, giving them access to a world of communication possibilities.
