BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — Boise toddler Annabelle Lawless has been on a quiet journey her entire young life.
She's struggled with hearing loss, unable to hear her parents and the natural sounds around her.
Last year, Annabelle's reaction to hearing her mother's voice for the first time with hearing aidsreceived more than 600,000 views on YouTube. Her parents knew that hearing aids would only be temporary and on April 24, she underwent cochlear implant surgery at St. Luke's Children's Hospital.
The implant was turned on for the first time Monday morning, helping her hear more clearly.
"So sitting there, she was in the chair when we turned it on and I was right in front of her talking into her face and I was shaking, I couldn't... it was kind of surreal, I'm talking to my daughter, I talk to her every day but I'm talking to her and she's got a hearing device in her head," said Annabelle's mother Sarah Jo Lawless.
Annabelle's new Cochlear implant sends electronic signals to the inside of her ear which signals her brain. Allowing her to hear voices and sounds clearly, unlike hearing aids.
This will allow her to some day talk just like any other child.
"This will give her access to speech and language at a normal level, so as long as she receives the appropriate intervention and she uses the device she should speak and talk normally," said Karrie Pargman.
Annabelle's parents are looking forward to being able to do even the most simple things with her.
"I want to read my daughter a book, I have friends with kids her age and they're saying, 'Oh my gosh, they're saying mom, dad, dog' you know she's that age now and I don't feel bad for us but, I also want that for her, I want her to have those milestones," said Lawless.
Now, thanks to Annabelle's new hearing device, she will.
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