Mom Gives Birth to Healthy Baby Boy, Then One Test Changes Their Lives

Newsweek

2 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A woman who had a healthy pregnancy and smooth labor was shocked to discover that something was wrong after giving birth to her baby boy, Brooks.
Brooks failed the initial hearing screening the first time shortly after birth. It was then re-done, and he failed two more times. He was invited back for a fourth time, and again, he failed. His mom, Morgan Deakin, 23, initially thought it was due to mucus being in his ears - a common issue for newborns.
But, at just three weeks old, Deakin and her partner Leon, 25, were told their baby is completely deaf.
"It changed our lives entirely, and shaped the way we see life," the Scotland-based mom told Newsweek. "At first, it was overwhelming — there were so many emotions, from shock and grief to worry about what his future might look like."
Deakin holding her son, Brookes. A close up of the now-17-weeks old baby.
Deakin holding her son, Brookes. A close up of the now-17-weeks old baby.
TikTok/@morgandeakinx
According to the Scottish Government, around 1.1 babies per 1,000 births are born with permanent bilateral deafness. In comparison, the CDC states that about 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
Deakin regularly goes viral on TikTok, sharing her son's story (@morgandeakinx). In one clip detailing the diagnosis, she explained that they cried for days, then on the third day, their mindset adjusted.
"It sunk in that crying isn't going to do anything. We've been in a great mindset since then," she said.
She told Newsweek: "It's not the journey we imagined, but it's one we're embracing — and Brooks is showing us every day just how strong, resilient, and full of potential he is.
"We also have changed as individuals, I would say. We are kinder in our hearts and see the world in a different light — a beautiful, kind, caring, and diverse little world which we were slightly ignorant to before. It has shaped us into better parents."
Deakin feeding Brooks after his hearing aid fitting. A close up of the ten-week-old baby with the device in his ear.
Deakin feeding Brooks after his hearing aid fitting. A close up of the ten-week-old baby with the device in his ear.
TikTok/@morgandeakinx
At ten weeks old, Brooks received hearing aids for the first time, which has left the internet in tears.
She told Newsweek: "The hearing aids haven't helped at all at the moment; their purpose is to stimulate the auditory nerves to keep the auditory pathways open.
"Although Brooks has not been able to be exposed to sound just yet, it is allowing him to get used to wearing them. Hopefully, further down the line, he can get cochlear implants and wear these as he's used to them."
So far, the video has over 76,000 views and more than 5,300 likes.
"Awww little angel. makes you realize the things we take for granted," said one commenter. Another wrote: "I am almost fully deaf but I can speak & communicate so well due to learning to lip read. He will pick up SO much by just watching you. You're amazing parents to your lovely boy."
Morgan told Newsweek: "We've quickly found ourselves thrown into a whole new world of audiology appointments, learning about communication options like BSL and auditory verbal therapy, and figuring out how to advocate for him. But as time has gone on, it's also opened a different perspective.
"We've met incredible professionals and other families, started learning more about deaf culture, and realized how many ways there are for Brooks to thrive and communicate."