Watch the incredible moment an 8-month-old baby hears for the first time

After failing several newborn hearing screening tests and not responding to loud noises, Marlee Ingold was officially diagnosed with profound hearing loss in her left ear and severe hearing loss in her right ear.

Marlee’s mum, Ashlee, says that shock is the best word to describe finding out about their newborn’s diagnosis, “It was very unexpected, we were shocked, really shocked – we both agreed during pregnancy to think of all the other possibilities of things that could go wrong or happen and not once did hearing loss ever cross our minds” she said.

Initially fitted with hearing aids at 12 weeks old, Marlee began her hearing journey. At six months old, a CT scan confirmed Marlee’s suitability for cochlear implants.

Marlee underwent life-changing surgery and her cochlear implants were switched on last week – proving the possibilities of specialist hearing technology and services.

Watch Marlee Ingold hear for the first time in the heartwarming video below. Story continues after video. 

For this year’s Loud Shirt Day fundraiser on Friday October 21, the not-for-profit will rally the community to get LOUD, throw on their brightest shirts and raise vital funds to help give deaf children like Marlee the miraculous gift of sound.

With approximately 300 children born with hearing loss in Australia each year, there has never been a better time to help.

By choosing to #WearItLoud on October 21, you’ll be helping kids with hearing loss across Australia.

More specifically, funds raised will directly help these incredible organisations, like Telethon Speech Hearing, Can:Do 4Kids, Hear and Say, Next Sense, and The Shepherd Centre,  who work tirelessly to give children with hearing loss the best possible futures through world-leading listening and speaking therapies.

You can donate at www.loudshirtday.com.au.