Nightly News   |  October 15, 2012

After years of silence, a teen hears

Stephanie Montalvo has been legally deaf since birth, but the 15-year-old is now able to hear -- thanks to an organization that helps kids get hearing devices their families would not ordinarily be able to afford. NBC’s Chelsea Clinton reports.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> you are about to witness what making a difference looks like. you're also going to get to hear what it sounds like. thanks to one man who travels the world, handing out a special gift to those who could not afford it on their own. chelsea clinton has more.

>> reporter: she has accomplished a lot by any standards, learned to play the piano by watching youtube video she writes her own music. and plays a mean game of softball. but what makes this 15-year-old even more special? she has been legally deaf since birth. but that may be about to change.

>> we want to take our time.

>> reporter: he owns the hearing technologies, the biggest hearing manufacturer in the united states . once a year, he comes to yankees stadium and sets up shop for hearing-impaired kids and adults who couldn't afford the latest models.

>> i have new ears today, i am happy.

>> we're going to put this over the ear.

>> reporter: austin fits stephanie with state-of-the-art devices.

>> i can hear that.

>> can you hear that?

>> yes.

>> is it loud enough?

>> reporter: devices her mom's insurance won't cover.

>> it is like a new shoe, okay?

>> reporter: after years of silence, stephanie can hear. when is the last time you heard out of your left ear?

>> before second grade, and i'm in tenth grade now.

>> so more than eight years?

>> yes.

>> does the room sound different?

>> yes, it sounds louder.

>> sounds louder? and is that loudness annoying? why is it annoying?

>> because i'm not like used to having the sound into my left ear, so it is overwhelming for me.

>> reporter: austin has given the gift of hearing all over the world, to some 800,000 people in the past 12 years.

>> together, we do better, yes, i feel better. you feel better, we both win.

>> reporter: the kids get the chance to meet the yankees icon, and manager joe gerardi, who dropped by just before game time .

>> want to invite you today to come down on the field, and you will be able to hear all the sounds of the bat.

>> reporter: he even gave her some pointers on how to bat a thousand.

>> i feel like i'm a new baby, hearing again.

>> all of a sudden they're out of darkness, and all of the sounds are around them, they just come alive.

>> reporter: with the help of a generous man who gives the gift of sound, chelsea clinton , nbc news, new york.