Man pops question on TV after 'Bionic Ear' from Advanced Bionics restores hearing

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADxAtkz4hgI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]
Barry Block had just had an Advanced Bionics “Bionic Ear,” or cochlear implant, surgically implanted about two weeks before this story was shot for ABC 2 WMAR-TV in Baltimore, Maryland. A cochlear implant is an electronic device for people who are profoundly deaf. It works by directly stimulating any functioning auditory nerves inside the cochlea through an electric impulse. Hearing is much better than with traditional hearing aids and can allow the patient to enjoy music, maybe for the very first time. This video piece shows Barry’s initial “activation” at 1 p.m. on March 25 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. But, Barry didn’t just get his hearing restored – he proposed to his girlfriend of 2½ years, Sally Schramm, during his activation. Barry and his girlfriend had been dating for over two years, and he was certain she would say “yes” – something he wanted to hear even more than music. There wasn’t a dry eye in the studio or among those watching from home. Audiologist Ryan Carpenter also is featured in the clip.