Hearing-impaired family prioritizes needs of their 4-year-old daughter

When Zhang Yongsheng and his wife Zhan Jingwen, both of whom have hearing disabilities, considered whether or not to bear a child, they conducted a gene test and the result suggested that their offspring would not develop the same impairment. Yet, unfortunately, the baby girl was diagnosed with a hearing disorder.

From then on, the couple has worked hard to save for medical treatment and an artificial cochlea for their daughter.

The couple tried several small businesses, such as selling toys and popcorn. In June 2022, the family has opened a stall selling egg waffles at a night market of Sifangping shopping mall in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province.

They named the stall a "Silent Egg Waffle" because they can only communicate with the customers via hand gestures and by typing words on the phone. Sometimes, their daughter comes to help and interacts with customers on behalf of her parents in halting speech.

Though earning a humble income over the years, the couple used all their savings to buy their daughter a set of artificial cochleae and hearing-aids. When asked why they bought the devices only for their daughter, Zhang said, "The devices are far too expensive My wife and I can endure the deafness, but I don't want my daughter to suffer."

The family's story has touched many netizens, and some of them show their support by visiting the family's stall.

On Jan 8, on the 31st birthday of Zhang, the couple received a special gift — a pair of artificial cochlea donated by kindhearted people.

For the first time, Zhang heard his daughter's voice after wearing the artificial cochlea. She said: "Daddy, I love you."

"Today is a special day. The 'Daddy' I heard has brought me immeasurable happiness and warmed my heart. I will cherish the love of my family forever," Zhang wrote in his WeChat moment post.

"Special thanks to all the people who have helped us," Zhang said, as emotions overwhelmed him. "I hope I can be at my daughter's side and see her grow up healthily. One day, she can go to school just like other kids," Zhang added.