As the video of Joanne Milne breaking down as she hears for the first time goes viral, Channel 4 News asks: what song would you choose if you were hearing for the first time?
Joanne Milne, 40, from Gateshead, was born deaf, and during her 20s also began to lose her vision due to the rare medical condition Usher syndrome.
But last month she was fitted with cochlear implants and after 40 years of silence the life-changing procedure has meant she is now able to hear.
The incredible moment when she hears a nurse going through the days of the week was filmed by her mother and shows her bursting into tears.
Also this week Ms Milne was introduced to music for the first time. Her friend put together an “introduction to music” playlist – including Prince, Bruce Springsteen, The Smiths, and Nirvana-which was played on BBC6 Music earlier this week.
We’ve been putting together our own Channel 4 News playlist (below) via your tweets hashtag #HearingForTheFirstTime
Read more: what is Usher syndrome?
If I were #HearingForTheFirstTime I would choose slow movement from Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ piano concerto. Also what I’d play at my funeral!
— Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) March 28, 2014
“Here Comes The Sun” – The Beatles #HearingForTheFirstTime
— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) March 28, 2014
@Channel4News @nzerem_c4 Griegs Morning from Peer Gynt swiftly followed by When the Levee Breaks Led Zeppelin
— Paul Kelly (@PaulK1966) March 28, 2014
@Channel4News @nzerem_c4 The first musical piece to hear would have to Bach’s “Ich Habe Genug”. Beautiful and with sentiment: “I Am Content”
— Marc Blancmaison (@mark_whitehouse) March 28, 2014
#HearingForTheFirstTime – this is what I’d choose… https://t.co/nVd0O0pWRg
— Anna Doble (@annadoble) March 28, 2014
If I were #HearingForTheFirstTime @channel4news @nzerem_c4 the first song I’d want to hear would be Rhapsody in blue.
— Dino Goldie (@dinogoldie) March 28, 2014
If I were #HearingForTheFirstTime I’d want to hear a baby crying, as the first thing most people hear is themselves crying.
— Harry Uden (@udenharry) March 28, 2014
Heart melting stuff watching #HearingForTheFirstTime what that must feel like is beyond me.
— Mr Liam Bruce Esq. (@_LiamBruce) March 28, 2014
If I were #HearingForTheFirstTime I would want the sound of the sea
— Jane Nellist (@janenellist1) March 28, 2014
If I were #HearingForTheFirstTime, I would want a beautiful song like this; https://t.co/ofeEKDULYl #BrothersInArms
— Neale Foulds (@nealefoulds) March 28, 2014
Barber’s ‘Adagio for strings’ #HearingForTheFirstTime
— Tony Phillips (@gotoutb4gove) March 28, 2014
My #HearingForTheFirstTime playlist 3) “A New World Order” by Curtis Mayfield: http://t.co/lySTxGAe0A
— Dino Goldie (@dinogoldie) March 28, 2014
#HearingForTheFirstTime I Second That Emotion by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
— Chiara Veltri (@chiara_veltri) March 28, 2014
All those people doing the #hearingforthefirsttime thing. This is actually what people hear with a CI initially. http://t.co/qg4VhKeSga
— Jojo Moyes (@jojomoyes) March 28, 2014
@Channel4News If I were #HearingForTheFirstTime I’d choose http://t.co/4GIsH9V5u7
— Kate Conway (@C4NewsKate) March 28, 2014
#HearingForTheFirstTime I’d choose Shostakovich – Piano Concerto No. 2: II. Andante
— Deb Evans (@T00ticky) March 28, 2014
If you’re #HearingForTheFirstTime surely all sound is golden? Shed Seven could reduce you to tears…
— Stuart Taylor (@stuartctaylor) March 28, 2014
It must have been an amazing feeling for that deaf woman and the audiologist!#HearingForTheFirstTime
— Mo Farooq (@MoFarooq9) March 28, 2014
#HearingForTheFirstTime
Sabres of Paradise
Smokebelch II
(Beatless mix)
https://t.co/YMj2QA567B
— Robert (@bbqbobs) March 28, 2014
Unfinished Sympathy – @MassiveAttackUK #HearingForTheFirstTime oo wait, Running Up that Hill – Kate Bush #strings #electronica #drama
— Jo Smith (@disco_nympherno) March 28, 2014
#HearingForTheFirstTime would most definitely be Party Hard by @AndrewWK or The Wichita Lineman
— Stanley (@Cornishstanley) March 28, 2014
Atmosphere by Russ Abbott #HearingForTheFirstTime
— Stephen Graham (@PlopGazette) March 28, 2014