This 4-year-old hears her own voice for the first time

    If you've ever been underwater while listening to someone speak, then you may somewhat understand what this little girl has heard and experienced throughout her young life.
    Four-year-old Kai was born with fifty percent hearing loss in one ear and sixty-five percent in the other, according to the video description. As she receives her new hearing aids, this video captures Kai's sweetest reaction to hearing clearly for the first time.
    First, her face lights up as she hears her parent's voices clearly. Then, as she answers them, she giggles as she hears her own voice for the first time. "Oh, my gosh. This is so funny. I can hear my voice." The excitement dancing in her eyes is so sweet. She couldn't before hear herself talk, and this new found sound is a joyful experience. You can hear her mother overcome with tears of happiness in the background.

    Sometimes, hearing aids or Cochlear implants are an option for people who are deaf depending on individual circumstances. Read this woman's personal story of being deaf and then receiving Cochlear implants in "
    Identity crisisDeaf--with Cochlear implants
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    American Sign Language (ASL) is another way people who are deaf can communicate. Even those who are hearing can learn this language to break down communication barriers with deaf family, friends and others in their community. Read this beautiful article about communicating with ASL and how it "paints a picture."
    There are many resources for learning sign language including YouTube videos, videos geared toward children, books and community or college classes. Anyone can learn it — from babies to adults — and it's a beautiful language to experience.