What’s Freedom Ring?

posted by Momo Fali on March 9, 2012

My son got hearing aids yesterday. A few people have been surprised to find out that his hearing loss was bad enough to warrant them, but trust my raised voice when I tell you that I have been answering the question, “What?” for years.

I won’t sugarcoat it and say it’s easy to have a kid with health problems or that I didn’t feel like getting new medical equipment was a giant step in the wrong direction, but this morning when he told me that he heard footsteps for the first time, my heart almost exploded.

Plus, there’s a chance he won’t sound so unpatriotic in the shower anymore.

    Comments

  • lceel


    Charming.

  • Amo


    Awwwww. *sniff*

    When my oldest son was two, we found out he had hearing loss due to continued ear infections. (I honestly thought all two year olds ignored their parents.) Fortunately, we only had to implant tubes to remedy it. I remember leaving the hospital and whispering, “doyouwanticecream?” and him yelling “YES MOM!”

    I cried.

    • Momo Fali


      After my son’s first set of tubes we stepped out of the hospital and he said, “What is that sound?”

      Then I got all choked up and answered, “It’s a bird chirping.”

      • Liz


        Lump meet throat {{{hugs}}}

  • Sadia


    Congrats. I know that hearing aids have a lot of stigma associated with them, but they are so empowering!

  • Julie Ross Godar


    “What’s freedom ring?” I love it. Yay for hearing aids and singing in the shower.

  • Wenderly


    My heart runeth over and is dripping down my face.

  • Zak


    I love it, that video is awesome.

    You guys kick major ass!

  • Veronica


    I LOVE HIM!! He makes me smile! Thanks for sharing this!

  • Tara R.


    He is precious! I hope he can now hear all sorts of wondrous things.

  • MamaWise


    It makes my heart burst with gladness when I see you write about him hearing footsteps. It’s those amazing little things in life that make quality of life so much better. I hope he hears many more amazing things and keeps singing like a champ!

    Hugs to you and him! xoxo

  • Jack@TheJackB


    My little sister has worn hearing aids for about 25 years or so. She probably should have gotten them closer to 30, it would have made a big difference in her life.

    School would have been less of a problem and it would have helped her socially. She didn’t hear half of what people said but refused to say anything.

    So she would respond with what she thought was appropriate and it often wasn’t.

    Better to hear.

  • Laura in Little Rock


    I realized I needed a hearing aid at age 17. My husband badgered me unti I got it at 23, HOLY COW, things were loud. My own voice especially, and I still have normal hearing in one ear.

    Your son, he’s too adorable. Thanks for sharing.

  • AlisonH


    His are smaller than mine. I can relate to his question: I used to racewalk for 45 minutes every morning, and the morning after I got my first set of hearing aids at age 27, I opened my front door and stopped right there, wondering what that sound was.

    I hadn’t heard birds since I’d been 12. Wow.

    And by the way? If any of your readers get ringing in their ears when they take aspirin, I did too–only, mine was permanent. That’s where my hearing loss comes from. Aspirin allergy.

  • meleah rebeccah


    Oh!! I can’t even handle this. He’s soooo cute and I am IN LOVE with your son. I am thrilled he heard footsteps for the 1st time!! AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

  • Mindy H


    Yay for hearing aids! My son got hearing aids last year, at age 9. Had no idea he had hearing loss. No enthusiasm for reading and deplorable spelling tipped us off – finally. I was worried about his reaction to having to wear them. But he LOVES them. His reading and spelling continue to improve steadily. He’s never gotten any negative attention for them. In 13 months they’ve gone in the shower w/ him twice, washed with jeans, and one was lost at school outside overnight. Luckily the drying case worked to dry them out overnight each time. And he found the lost one the next day, still in perfect condition. He’s very responsible, but still a kid. Good luck with your son’s hearing aids!