Sweet Nothing in My Ear

They say a baby can hear inside the womb.

So, all through Laura's pregnancy,

I put my mouth close to her belly

and spoke to Adam inside her.

Were you in the delivery room

when your son was born?

I was.

He was, uh, crying and, uh,

crying when they handed him to me.

And when I spoke to him, he stopped.

Opened his eyes.

Looked up at me.

It was the sound of my voice.

He recognized it.

It was like we knew each other already.

And when did events begin to change

for you and your family?

Adam was eight.

Just before his birthday.

The day started at Adam's school.

We were a little late.

We're going to be late.

You want to fly?

Ready for takeoff?

All right, here we go.

You got big.

All right, here we go!

Whoo!

Whoa!

Hi, hello, everybody.

Okay, hello, pay attention, everybody.

Hi.

Are you ready? It's magic time.

It's almost about time to start.

Oh, but I must thank

the parents for their part in the play.

Voicing for their children

while they're performing this play.

And I want to thank all of the moms

for making the costumes.

Don't our kids look great?

And a very special thank you to my dear husband

for building the set for us.

Excuse me,

um, is it true that, that

when the play is over we get to go home early?

No, no, it is,

but it's not time for all that now.

Go. You're about to go on.

Okay, places, everybody.

Auntie Em!

Auntie Em, it's a twister!

It's heading right towards us.

Dorothy, get in the storm cellar now,

before it's too late!

Auntie Em!

Auntie Em, where are you?

Auntie Em, where are you?

Where are you?

Where am I?

Your house fell on the wicked witch.

And killed her.

Now, you're wearing her magic shoes.

I am going to the Great Oz,

to ask him if he can send me back home

-to Kansas. -And ask him

if he can give me a heart.

And ask him to give me some brains.

Do you think the Great Oz

could give me some courage?

Why don't you come with us and find out?

You'd be so very welcome.

Are you ready?

Let's go!

He's, he's turning eight.

Yeah, we're going to have the, uh,

the party right here in our backyard.

So, I'm going to need you in your full pirate regalia,

you know, games, magic, balloon animals, you name it.

How much is that going to cost me?

You're kidding.

How about for a, a couple of parrot hand puppet things?

Something... Yeah.

Okay, all right, fine. And also,

by the way, this is not

your typical birthday party; Adam...

Hold on a minute. Adam!

Hey.

Hey...

You're going to be okay.

The doctor is going to make it all better.

So how did this happen?

Oh, he was, he was chasing a balloon.

I yelled out, like an idiot,

but...

Was Adam born deaf?

No, he was born hearing.

And when did it start to go?

Uh, a couple years ago.

And he doesn't use a hearing aid?

No. They stopped

helping.

Well, that must have required quite an adjustment.

I've accepted it.

Uh, I meant him.

His mother is, uh, deaf.

She teaches deaf children.

Mommy taught you to sign, right?

Yeah, Mommy gave me magic hands! Yes.

What about his speech?

Uh, he doesn't speak anymore.

I mean, he used to say stuff to me,

but then when he went totally deaf, he just...

What's that?

It means he turned off his voice.

Okay, that should do it.

All done.

You know, he may turn it back on,

if he could hear himself speak.

Well, we can't reverse what nature's done.

Well, sometimes we can.

Have you ever heard of a cochlear implant?

You do realize your son could hear sound again.

-Excuse me. -Well, not-not like a hearing child, but thanks.

Some sound in hearing is better than none, right?

I mean, if his heart were defective,

you wouldn't question implanting

an artificial valve.

Well, the deaf don't see themselves as defective.

That's the point.

I've been married to a deaf woman for nine years.

Nothing about her is defective.

Trust me.

Oh!

Oh, you won!

Good job!

All right, here is the Hudson Ear Institute.

Dr. Flynt.

-He could help you. -Hey.

Come on, let's go. Uh, thanks anyway.

Well, it's just information.

Information can't hurt you.

We don't want someone sticking wires in his head.

It's not an option.

No way.

Adam...

Okay.

Uh, don't...

...worry.

See... you...

at... home.

Yeah. Mommy.

Hey, hey.

Oh.

Oh!

Don't. I'm driving.

Oh.

Sorry.

I got here as fast as I could.

He's taking a nap.

-What did the doctor say? -No. No.

He said he's fine.

He's a normal kid.

Here you are, Mr. Donner.

That's quite a development.

-Ah, thank you very much. -Mm-hmm.

Krupp, Harrison & Dean.

He's not in the office today.

Mr. Donner, thank you for pushing the meeting.

I'm sorry. Something at home.

Nothing too serious, I hope.

No, no. Nothing serious at all.

Uh, while we were waiting,

your lovely assistant was explaining

this video phone to me.

Oh, yeah, that-that's pretty cool, isn't it?

Mm-hmm.

My wife and I can see each other

and sign over the phone.

Uh, she's deaf, and my son is deaf, too, so, uh...

-Mm. -Have a seat. Have a seat.

Thanks.

So, what did you think of our proposal?

Impressive, but I should warn you,

our company is set in its ways.

Well, I don't want to change anything, but...

You know, to me,

public relations is about perception.

My job is to recognize

what it is about you that makes you unique.