A boy who doctors diagnosed as permanently deaf miraculously began hearing when his mum opened – a bag of CRISPS.
When Liam Champken was six weeks old medics said he was completely and profoundly deaf.
Mum Jennie was told her son could not hear because his cochlea was irreparably damaged.
But one day at home she opened a packet of crisps – and at the sound of the pop he woke up.
She immediately went to doctors and said she thought the 14-month old could hear – but they said he had only reacted to the SMELL of the snack.
But two months later tests showed his hearing was back.
Mum-of-two Jennie, a support worker from Twyning, Gloucestershire, said: “”When you get told certain things, your whole world completely collapses.
”I opened a bag of crisps and he woke up. I said to the doctor that I thought he could hear.
”But she said Liam would have smelled them because the sense of smell can be heightened if there are hearing problems.
“Two months later he had a test and it said his hearing was back.”
Liam, now ten, was born eight weeks early weighing only 3lb 3oz.
He also suffered from bronchiolitis, which caused him general breathing difficulties up to the age of two.
It was not the first time experts got it wrong about Liam – Jennie was told to expect a baby girl at her 20-week ultrasound scan.
He was diagnosed with the rare condition Hirschsprung’s disease as a baby.
Liam has now overcome a long list of health problems to become an impressive athlete.
He now hears within normal limits, following the sudden recovery when he was 14 months old.
Jennie said: ”His hospital notes are those of a 100-year-old man. He does struggle a bit at school, but generally he is doing alright.
“He would play football every single day if he could. He thinks he is the best striker in the world.
“He is very athletic and loves every sport. I never imagined that. Everyone is very proud of him.”
Although he is now in Year Six, Liam is a similar height to children in reception.
“He has a thing about being small, but I just tell him Sergio Aguero is a bit small.
“Aguero’s his favourite player and Manchester City are his favourite team. He is a bit of a glory supporter.”
Although Liam hears within normal limits, he still suffers minor problems with his ears, which have been damaged by grommets and are set to undergo operations.
ENDS
