Profoundly Seth: Activation Day!

Activation Day: Seth Begins to Hear

On Monday, May 4, 2026, our family reached a milestone we had been anticipating for months: Seth's cochlear implant activation. He was all smiles as we walked into the audiologist's office, ready for whatever came next.

The visit began with routine housekeeping and a walkthrough of the equipment while Seth happily hung out. The team then ran tests to confirm his auditory nerves were responding, similar to an ABR, and they were. Seth took it all in stride.

Then came the moment we had waited for: turning on his ears. Many people had warned us to expect tears or distress, but instead we felt an overwhelming sense of calm. Some moments are better shown than described, and these photos capture what words cannot.

Photos From Activation Day

Profoundlyseth blog header graphic — Profoundlyseth header

Seth smiling before his cochlear implant activation appointment — A happy camper at the audiologist's office

Seth during equipment checks at his activation visit — Going over the equipment

Seth the first time his name was called after activation — The first time I called his name

Seth playing with a monkey toy while responding to sound — Playing with the monkey as I call his name

Seth turning his head toward the sound of his mother's voice — Wait a minute... do I hear something?

Seth recognizing his mom's voice after his implant was switched on — Yeah I do! It's my mom!

Seth delighted by the new sounds he can hear — This hearing thing rocks!

A Grateful Heart

With a full heart, I want to thank every person who prayed alongside us, gave toward Seth's journey, and walked with us every step of the way. We cannot begin to express how blessed we feel.

Typically, children with implants need time to realize they are hearing at all, let alone to identify what they hear. Seth, however, was already turning his head toward sounds and had begun babbling again by that very afternoon. Seeing him laugh at his brother's voice made everything we have been through worthwhile, and God has truly been glorified through Seth's remarkable journey.

Many wonderful moments filled the day, but the video clip below sums it up best for me. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

He who has ears, LET HIM HEAR! Matthew 11:15

Posted by El at 10:03 PM · Labels: Activation, Cochlear Implants, Seth

Reader Comments

Sheri F. wrote:

This video needs a warning label: it will bring tears of joy! Thank You Jesus!

mindy wrote:

I am crying too. Praise the Lord, this is the best thing I have seen all day. I will watch it ten more times before bed. Yay Seth!

bethany1699 wrote:

Alright Seth! God is awesome!

meganblaire wrote:

Oh Ellyn, the tears are flowing! Thank You Jesus! Love you guys, Megan

Mrs. Granberry wrote:

Oh my goodness! Tears running down my face. God is so good!

M J wrote:

So amazing! Yep, I am crying too.

Debbie wrote:

That is priceless, words do it no justice. By the way, you look so young and Seth is more beautiful every time you post a picture of him.

Analiza wrote:

El, as a mother of a partially deaf child, I have to tell you how incredibly happy I am for your whole family, especially for you and Seth. It reminded me of the day Matthew got his BAHA and the elation I felt. I am sharing this video with Matthew and Jerry and we are all in tears of joy and amazement. Congratulations Seth, and may you find wonder in every sound in your future!

Melissa wrote:

Wow! That is amazing to see! How incredible! What a blessing!

Heather wrote:

Crying tears of happiness for you and your precious family! What a beautiful day for all of you!

Elyse wrote:

Crying tears of joy for sweet Seth!

Melani wrote:

How wonderful! I am so incredibly happy for Seth! Now you can tell him you love him and eventually he will say it back. Awesome video!

Madison Sanders wrote:

Woo hoo! Those pictures are priceless, but the video is even better! God turns the bad things around for the good!

Rose wrote:

I have been waiting and waiting for this! He who has ears, LET SETH HEAR!

Joy wrote:

My eyes are leaking! What a wonderful, wonderful day!

christy rose wrote:

Oh my, this is absolutely wonderful! I am so happy for all of you! God is so good!

Cathy wrote:

I waited all day for this! I am crying too! Congratulations Seth! Hear it all, buddy. What a precious day for you all. God IS good all the time!

Anonymous wrote:

Tears of joy are flowing in NJ as well. So amazing. I was not financially able to donate, but I am so glad so many others were. How wonderful. God IS good. Awesome day.

Anonymous wrote:

The video was amazing! Seeing the smile on his sweet little face when you called his name was awesome! Congratulations Seth!

Taking Heart wrote:

Yay! Seth hears! I am so happy for you and your family that God's will has come full circle for you now! God bless!

Melissa G wrote:

Oh my goodness! That was amazing! Thanks for sharing that with us all!

Nati @ I will praise Him wrote:

How wonderful! Praise God! I am so happy for you and Seth!

WendyCarole wrote:

What a wonderful day. Seth looks so happy.

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ wrote:

Awesome! Thank you, God!

Jen wrote:

How awesome! Congratulations to Seth!

Emily wrote:

That totally brought tears to my eyes! What a joyous moment in a joyous day!

Sonya wrote:

That does a mother's heart good. As soon as I saw him jump when you called his name I was flooded with tears! I am so looking forward to updates along his journey.

Shanda wrote:

That has to win the overall Best Mother's Day Present! What an amazing gift! God is rejoicing over Seth's hearing right along with all of us! So glad you were able to catch those first moments on video!

by: Allison wrote:

Wow! What an answered prayer. Now that I have tears running down my face, I can start my day. God is SO GOOD! Cannot wait to hear more about his upcoming days.

Lindsey wrote:

I should not have watched this at work! Hopefully my boss does not walk in anytime soon, as I have tears running down my cheeks! Praise God for Seth's hearing!

Cristi wrote:

Wow, that made me cry. Congratulations. Enjoy telling your baby you love him and watching him hear it.

Anonymous wrote:

Josh, Sully and I all watched Seth's video and we are so thrilled for you all! What an amazing day. I loved his reaction! Let's figure out where the middle point is so I can meet you and Seth, since moving to South Carolina is not an option. Is there any way you can take some time for yourself in the next couple of weeks to absorb everything? You have done so much in preparation for this day and it is finally here. I wish I lived close because I would take you for a pedicure or a massage. Let me know the name of a place close to you and I will pay for some El time. Please?

Julie wrote:

I am crying! What a blessing.

Kameron wrote:

Darn work computer. I will have to check out the video when I get home. I am so happy for you guys. I wondered if they had told you what reaction to expect, because I imagine if you cannot hear for ten months and suddenly can, it would be a little frightening. I guess not for Seth! That is amazing!

Carrie wrote:

Oh my, nothing beats the look on his sweet face! Pure joy and happiness! That is awesome! Where is your box of tissues, I am teary-eyed over here. Amazing day!

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