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Ever since she learnt that her daughter was deaf, Anneil Richards' only dream has been for her little girl to hear her voice.

Four months ago, one-year-old Azaria Brighton was diagnosed with profound hearing loss. Following an MRI, doctors confirmed that she qualified for a cochlear implant surgery but the first step was to try hearing aids. After THE STAR published Azaria's story, showing her mother's desperate plea for help, support poured in. Among those who reached out was the Bob Marley Foundation. Just days later, the Foundation stepped in, covering $310,000 in costs for the purchase and fitting of hearing aids after doctors and the family agreed it was the next best step.

"I can't express how grateful I am to THE STAR and the Bob Marley Foundation. I just hope it works," Richards said anxiously, clutching her daughter moments before the fitting at the Caribbean Hearing Centre.

Inside the office of Senior Audiologist Assistant Kristen Metz, little Azaria was fitted with her custom-made hearing aids. Metz carefully explained how to use and clean the devices to her mother, adjusting the tubing for a perfect fit, and disabled the volume buttons to protect Azaria's ears.

Then came the moment of truth.

Metz tapped on her desk. At first, Azaria didn't respond. But when she was handed a phone playing Cocomelon, something changed. Azaria clung to the device, mesmerised by the sounds she had never heard before.

"Normally, she would throw away the phone," her mother said, in awe.

Further tests showed promising signs. Metz explained that when Azaria was initially assessed, she didn't respond to even the highest level of sound, 110 decibels, while a child her age should respond to sounds as low as 15 decibels. That gave insight into the severity of her hearing loss and how critical this intervention was.

While it will take time to track Azaria's hearing progress, there's no denying that a new chapter has begun.

"I feel so good," Richards said. "I'm just so happy right now."

As little Azaria grows, her mould and tubes will be adjusted to fit her ears. As she grows, her doctors hope that she will learn to communicate effectively, allowing them to better help her.

"Her MRI showed that everything was intact so we don't know why she can't hear. It's literally a mystery but today showed promise, and as she hears sound, she should be able to learn and talk to us so we can know what she needs," Metz said.