Never before had I been so delighted by the crying of a child as I was a few minutes after having my BAHA attached for the first time ... Monday, April 10, 2006.

Audiologist Stephanie Salcido had just snapped the BAHA onto the abutment behind my right ear and turned it on.

I was thrilled to be hearing from my deaf side for the first time in 30 years. Stephanie had just explained how to use the directional microphone when a small child who was frightened after having an infected ear suctioned by the doctor, began to scream and cry in the corridor just outside the open door of the audiologist’s office.

In the past the vocalization would have drowned out any other sounds. But this time I simply moved the directional microphone switch down on the BAHA Divino and was able to hear the audiologist and my husband as they spoke to me and shared my joy. The cries of the child were minimized.

I too began to cry ... tears of joy. In just a few short days, my life is much richer with the BAHA.

Shirley Copenhaver. USA.