Congenital deafness, which occurs at birth, can cause developmental delays and infants and children. The disorder is difficult to diagnose in infants, but when it’s caught early, it’s easy to correct.
Archer Ruiz was three weeks old when his doctors diagnosed him with congenital deafness. His parents, Taryn and Drew, wanted to do anything they could to get treatment for him as early as possible. After two months, Archer was finally strong enough to receive treatment.
He was fitted with hearing aids, and his grandparents filmed the moment he heard his parents’ voices for the first time. In the video, Taryn says, “Archer. Hey buddy!” and Drew says, “Can you hear us, man?” As soon as his parents speak, Archer starts grinning and giggling. The moment the baby realizes he can hear his parents’ voices is incredibly heartwarming.
The family appeared on the Today Show, where Taryn said, “For the first time, I was able to calm him down using my voice. It was so special and beautiful.” Archer now loves hearing his father play guitar, and he loves laughing and making noise. Hearts for Hearing, an organization in Oklahoma, helped Archer receive his hearing aids.
The organization was founded in 2003 with a mission to provide funds for children to receive hearing aids. Over the years, the organization has expanded to include comprehensive hearing health services for both children and adults. Thanks to Hearts for Hearing, Archer and many other children have gained the ability to hear.
