Gift of hearing comes to impaired Purple Heart vet who loves bowling

Published Dec. 25, 2016 3:34 p.m. ET

Barry Werner

A Marine who lost his hearing while serving the country in Vietnam in 1969 will soon be able to hear the sounds of his favorite sports, bowling.

Alexander Sadowski of Syracuse was approved to receive cochlear implants in both ears through the Veteran's Administration Hospital. The medical devices were surgically implanted during a five-hour procedure Nov. 7.

Per Syracuse.com:

"I've missed out on a lot," Sadowski said.

"I wasn't able to hear after the surgery for a few weeks while I was healing, But three weeks later when they were turned on I started hearing a noise. It sounded like a bird chirping."