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Deep Dive: Hear and Now (2007)

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Hear and Now
Hear and Now is a 2007 documentary directed by Irene Taylor Brodsky that follows the lives of her parents, Paul and Sally Taylor, both born deaf. At the age of 60, they decide to undergo cochlear implant surgery, which allows them to hear for the first time. The film captures their transition from a silent world to one filled with sounds, documenting the complexities and adjustments they face after living without hearing for their entire lives. The narrative includes the couple's personal histories, detailing their experiences in special schools, the stigma of deafness in mainstream education, and their careers in the Deaf community. Paul Taylor was notable for his work in developing the telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY). The film presents their experiences in an intimate family context, contrasting the personal implications of cochlear implants with the broader Deaf community's perspective.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Paul and Sally Taylor as they hear for the first time.
  • •Follow the emotional aftermath of cochlear implant surgery.
  • •See the personal history of deafness in the Taylor family.

Did You Know

•Hear and Now won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007.
•Paul Taylor was a pioneer in developing the TDD, also known as TTY.
•The film received a Peabody Award in 2008 for its impact.

Perfect For

Deaf cultureDocumentary enthusiastsFamily dynamics