Austin Chapman, “profoundly deaf” man, hears music clearly for the first time
If someone asked you to play them the most beautiful song you've ever heard, what track would you choose to introduce them to the world of music?
For 23-year-old Austin Chapman, a filmmaker who was born "profoundly deaf," Mozart's "Lacrimosa" is the first song he'd ever heard where he "finally understood the power of music."
"I know it's a depressing song," the 23-year-old said. "But to me it represents the first time I could appreciate and experience music."
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The reason behind Chapman's new appreciation for music comes courtesy of a new pair of hearing aids that make it possible for him to distinguish higher frequencies. Listening to Mozart's tune finally put into perspective how hearing people can be affected by music.
"My whole life I've seen hearing people make a fool of themselves singing their favorite song or gyrating on the dance floor," Chapman wrote on his film studio's blog. "I've also seen hearing people moved to tears by a single song. That was the hardest thing for me to wrap my head around."
He also wrote, "When Mozart's Lacrimosa came on, I was blown away by the beauty of it. At one point of the song, it sounded like angels singing and I suddenly realized that this was the first time I was able to appreciate music. Tears rolled down my face and I tried to hide it. But when I looked over I saw that there wasn't a dry eye in the car."
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Previously, Chapman described music as "sounding like trash through [his] hearing aids" and now with his new set, has opened up his journey of discovering new tunes to the world by asking for suggestions about what to listen to on social media news site, Reddit.
After stating in his post on Reddit that he wanted users to, "Give [him] the name of the most beautiful songs to you," The Huffington Post reports that over 14,000 comments appeared within a few hours.
"[It's been] inspiring and insightful," Chapman told the online newspaper. "I love the comments that explain thoroughly why or what. I feel like I'm getting a free education in music from the world's best teacher."
However, even though Chapman is enjoying his new appreciation for music, he also still values something that most people aren't always privy to: absolute silence.
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"I can't give up silence, it's too beautiful," Chapman wrote on his blog in 2011 before obtaining the new hearing aids. "I've told my friends before but I'll say it again: if I was given the choice to hear perfectly but without the ability to turn my ears off I wouldn't do it."
Later reiterating his view in a post last week about his love of peace and quiet, writing, "Silence is still my favorite sound. When I turn my aids off my thoughts become more clear and it's absolutely peaceful." Adding, "I hope that one day hearing people get the opportunity to experience utter silence."
Chapman says that he plans on blogging about his "journey into the world of music" and has encouraged others to follow along and experience genres and tunes that they may not have in the past.
"Even if you're not hearing music for the first time ever, I suggest looking through the suggestions and expanding your musical tastes," he wrote. "You never know how many more days you have left to hear…Trust me on this one, you don't want to miss out on a great song."
