TEARS of gratitude and quiet pride filled the room as two brothers who were once unable to hear their parents’ voices stood smiling before the media, living proof of how compassion, medical innovation and community generosity can transform lives.
Joshua Choo Kai Chen, seven, and his older brother Daniel Choo Kai Yang, 14, are now able to hear and learn in mainstream schools after undergoing cochlear implant surgeries made possible through the generosity of One Hope Charity & Welfare and the dedication of specialists at LohGuanLye Specialists Centre.
The emotional press conference saw the boys’ parents, Tien An Hui and Choo Kar Choon, together with their grandmother Tan Ah Ngin, sharing in a milestone that once seemed impossible. Their mother spoke through sign language, interpreted by hospital staff, delivering a heartfelt message of gratitude to those who made the life-changing surgeries possible.
Hospital chief executive officer Dr Mary Quah described the profound transformation cochlear implants bring to children born with hearing loss.
“These children are not different; they are the same as every other child, full of potential. Once the hearing is restored, they can go to normal school, learn, and build a future,” she said.
Children who cannot hear often fall behind because they are unable to hear their parents calling them or even their own voices.
“But the moment they receive a cochlear implant, everything begins to change. For the first time, they hear sound, they respond, and they start to speak. Step by step they begin to catch up,” she said.
Dr Quah also emphasised that the journey requires a team of surgeons, audiologists and speech therapists working closely with families.
“More important, it is the parents who make the biggest difference. Their dedication, patience and love are truly enabling these children to be successful in life.
“On behalf of Loh Guan Lye Specialist Centre, I would like to sincerely thank One Hope Charity and Welfare. Your support makes this possible for so many families. You are not helping them to hear; you are changing their future,” she added.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen also commended the collaborative effort between the medical fraternity, charitable organisations and donors in improving access to life-changing treatment.
He highlighted the importance of early intervention, community support and continued partnerships in ensuring children with hearing loss are given equal opportunities to learn, grow and contribute to society.
Honorary Consul of Austria in Penang, Berthold Jungwirth, shared how seeing the brothers again after two years left him deeply moved.
“When I came in today, I had the chance to talk to these two little boys, and I must tell you I was very touched. I saw them two years ago, but today I see them smiling, I see them running around.
“Life has completely changed for them, and it makes me actually very happy,” he said.
Relatively, he also highlighted the role of Austrian medical technology, particularly from MED-EL, in improving lives.
“This is really something that drastically improves the quality of life of humans,” Jungwirth said.
He also pledged a personal donation of RM10,000 to One Hope, saying he really respects the noble effort the association embarks on, and a special mention to its founder and chairman, Datuk Chua Sui Hau.
“I really respect you. You are doing a very noble job here, and I wish you from the bottom of my heart a very long life in very good health so that you still can lead this noble association for many, many years to come.”
Consultant ENT surgeon Datuk Dr Lim Seh Guan reflected on more than two decades of pioneering cochlear implant surgery in northern Malaysia.
“We started our first cochlear implant more than 21 years ago. This was the first cochlear implant ever done in the northern part of Malaysia,” he said, recalling how initial scepticism about the technology gave way to conviction after overseas training.
“Imagine these children, without the cochlear implant, they would be deaf and mute. Now with the implant, they can hear like Joshua and Daniel. They can go to school as normal and their life changes,” he stated.
Dr Lim also stressed the importance of early implantation, explaining that younger children learn to speak much faster when implanted early.
With surgeries costing between RM100,000 and RM130,000 per ear, charitable support is critical.
“Government allocations are limited. When the quota is full, children must wait. With One Hope coming in, public-funded implants have shot up significantly,” he said.
He praised the generosity of Malaysians, noting how quickly communities rally to support children in need.
“That is the beauty of our Malaysian, in particular, Penang culture,” he said.
Responding to questions from reporters, Dr Lim described the complexity and risks of the procedure.
“These are very young children. Even a little blood loss can be dangerous. The procedure must be as bloodless as possible,” he said, explaining the delicate process of drilling into the cochlea and inserting a tiny electrode.
“If your hand is not steady, you can cut the facial nerve and the child may not be able to move one side of the face for life,” he further added.
Despite the challenges, he proudly shared that he was so happy to say there has been zero complication so far.
MED-EL country manager Woo Wan Kui said the programme has changed hundreds of lives.
“Over the years, we implanted almost 900 patients, and I have seen with my own eyes the tears of joy from parents who have seen their children able to hear and subsequently speak.
“This is not about business anymore; it is about passion,” Woo said.
Additionally, he announced that the company would pledge 10 units of hearing aids to the public in Penang and across the nation, ensuring more families can access hearing support.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud