2-Year-Old Afghan Girl Hears For First Time Following Life-Changing Surgery In New York

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- Two-year-old Nehal Farid was born profoundly deaf, but suddenly, after a life-changing donated operation, she can now hear.

Her new cochlear implant in one ear is now activated, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported.

"This is what gives her a future and this day-- I will never forget this day," mother Andeisha Farid said.

Mom and daughter were brought from their native Kabul, Afghanistan to the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

The operation helps Nehal's brain bypass dead auditory nerve endings. The implant allows her to recognize electrical pulses as sound.

"It's a total game changer," Ear Institute Director Dr. Peter Weber said.

Weber performs dozens of cochlear implants on very young children every year. He said each time the moment they can finally hear is magical and each time different.

"Some children, they'll look around. There are some children who cry. Others will smile and giggle... the reactions are all over the board," he said.

Nehal's reaction is what the audiology team hoped for. Her excitement was evident as she heard test sounds coming from a toy.

Therapy to help her navigate this new world will include years of speech lessons.

"I gain hope again. I'm so hopeful for a bright future for her," Farid said.

Doctors say they hope the young patient will receive the same operation on the other ear in the next couple of months. The device alone costs $25,000 and in this case was picked up by a private group. The doctors and therapists also donated their time and expertise.