Matthew Hearing for the First Time

On August 4, 2016, our 4-month-old son Matthew received his hearing aids at University of Colorado Hospital and responded to sounds for the first time. Matthew was born with congenital cytomegalovirus ("CMV"), which is similar to the Zika virus and is the leading viral cause of non-hereditary deafness, birth defects, and developmental disabilities. Matthew has suffered greatly from congenital CMV. Weighing only 2 lbs., 11 oz., he was born 8 weeks early and spent 47 days in the NICU. Matthew has an enlarged liver (hepatitis) and an enlarged spleen, as well as cysts and calcification on his brain. Additionally, he is deaf. In the future, he will most likely receive a cochlear implant.
While 80% of adults in the US have contracted CMV by age 40, it is particularly devastating to a fetus when the mom contracts the virus during pregnancy. As an aside, once the virus infects someone AFTER birth, a healthy and mature immune system will keep the virus in check and most people will never have any symptoms. There are many ways the virus can be transmitted, such as through saliva or contact with a child's urine. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant, PLEASE consider getting tested for CMV.
©2016, Erin Swetnam
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[@sowhatdowop]

I love the way his eyes opened so wide when he heard his first sound. Matthew is such a cutie.

[@chandlermedina9782]

The poor baby didn't know what to feel about it. 😂😂He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. 😂😂

[@Keyecomposer]

Can't imagine what it's like to be given a whole new sense.

[@esmenatural]

not only did his mommy cried i cried too.. ....... beautiful video

[@fuji_apples9765]

That was just too adorable! Baby was very responsive to the voices...he could sense the emotion behind them, reason why he smiled and laughed.

[@lisamaeripley]

what a beautiful moment for your family. he's so handsome. idk you but I cried my eyes out, tears of joy for your baby and your family ❤

[@Unknown-rd8jo]

This made my eyes leak bad... Matthew, best of luck in all your endeovors buddy. with loads of love from NYC

[@KidThomsonMediaProductions]

Please monetise ur video, perhaps save the proceeds to help pay for his college. this video is about to get a lot more views. also I'm so happy for ur family. you have a beautiful son.

[@amit4Bihar]

my eyes were full of tears after reading this beautiful baby suffers so many problems due to a virus. G-d bless you and your son specially. G-d bless the scientists who are "really" helping humankind

[@log1cdotnet]

Thanks for sharing Erin, what a little beauty he is!

[@Hawkens85]

WOW. That is so beautiful, I'm so happy for you guys!!!

[@alexanderalex4742]

So beautiful.Made me cry from joy.

[@giratina008MagicRush]

So sweet, got me crying so much.

[@NaturallyMariaB]

Awww poor thing. He didn't know what to make of that!!

[@NaturallyGifted77]

he looking like what the heck

[@kaydence4305]

Awwww❤❤. Thats Wonderful! This is so heartwarming

[@untamedVagabond]

God bless Matthew ... he is beautiful. Much love to him!

[@MommaWolf1967]

Aww Matthew is so beautiful

[@lu.ciel8770]

Well that just melted my heart! ❤ He's so cute and expressive lol

[@larenamonique1905]

his smile....😊😊😊😊 his smile alone....😊😊😊GOD bless him

[@kathypetersen4694]

precious, precious!

[@tangwailam1993]

That is sooo lovely! Happy for your sweet family!

[@KevinKJohn]

That is absolutely precious :)

[@Beth-bm7fy]

So happy you did this for your precious baby boy. You have opened a whole new world for him and made his life safer by being able to hear. I have a niece that got cochlear implants at 20 They had checked into it in the early days. & decided to wait. The day they were activated as my Sister-IN-Law was pulling out of the parking deck it had started raining , Lauren said OMG I can hear the wipers moving on the windshield. When Angie told me I cried. Some people in the deaf community do NOT want people to have cochlear implants because it takes federal money away from them.. Years ago when they were available the doctor at UNC that does them got death threats......inexcusable!!!

[@pri7384]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful and important moment with us, I's made me cry with happiness. I wish you all the best 🌞 greetings from Berlin 🍀

[@ndasom]

I am happy for you too, I almost cry , so impressed

[@Foxy81824]

Such a precious video! Thank you for sharing.

[@Denjobi]

these vids allways make me tear up a bit, i`m such a wuzz. Verry happy for him.

[@nina1522]

He's more interested in his pacifier, heheee! So adorable.

[@piratesmile75b]

congrats man!!!

[@kimwright876]

OMG how sweet

[@thebeardeddragons9286]

This was a heart warming video

[@bru1015]

It's wonderful, but I have to wonder, how they knew he couldn't hear. He's so young. 😘

[@ativan_stan]

Bruceann Yellowega there are hearing tests for infants

[@Born222kill]

I don't understand how we've advance so much in technology, but hearing aids still looks like technology from 20 years ago. Great video, take care of the little kid !

[@angies3057]

awwww so adorable!!! 💕💕

[@bwzffgh7]

1:54 Grandpa is going to remember this moment forever

[@cupcakesweet3508]

AWESOME!!!! 👏🏽👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@oxsannaturtles9748]

This is the best video ever 💕

[@tuchimalone2934]

Que ojazos ponia mi vida!!!! bello

[@syedmammar1]

little dude is so handsome and cute

[@christophersager1955]

so cute!!!!

[@MelleSalome8888]

And now he can learn your language :D

[@Bekind79]

He's hungry aww he's happy

[@heyy2582]

😍😍😍😍

[@NaturallyGifted77]

so after seeing this lil cute boy why would anyone want to get an abortion

[@oxsannaturtles9748]

Aww

[@singhsamfewchannel6024]

i'm happy too