04/20/2026
You will never forget a moment like this. 💛
On the TODAY Show, 12-year-old Ryder experienced something truly life-changing — hearing clearly for the very first time after receiving a cochlear implant. Diagnosed with hearing loss as a newborn, he had spent his entire life waiting for this moment… and when it finally arrived, the emotion said it all.
Tears, smiles, and pure awe — a powerful reminder of how meaningful sound, connection, and innovation can be.
Watch his reaction here: https://www.today.com/video/young-boy-has-emotional-reaction-to-hearing-for-the-first-time-260995141630
Moments like this invite us to pause and appreciate the everyday things we often take for granted — a voice, a laugh, a simple “hello.”
And it’s a reminder of why continuing to show up, care deeply, and support access to life-changing care every single day truly matters!
Twelve-year-old Ryder Boen of Oklahoma was diagnosed with hearing loss in both ears when he was a newborn and since then has been using hearing aids. In February, he received the world’s only smart cochlear implant system and cried tears of joy when hearing for the first time. TODAY's Jenna Bush H...