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WATCH: SC girl hears grandmother's voice for first time

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A South Carolina girl experienced a life-changing moment this week: hearing her grandmother's voice for the first time.

Gracie Tynch, 6, underwent a cochlear implant surgery in September, but Hurricane Matthew barreled along the coast, causing her to miss an appointment to turn on the implant.

The National Guard rescued Gracie and her grandmother, Lori Tynch, from their flooded home in Marion County, according to Channel 9's partner, WCIV. The family has been living in an emergency Red Cross shelter in Mullins, South Carolina.

The pair made the 5-hour trek on Tuesday to Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for Gracie's long-awaited appointment.

Dr. Ted Meyer performed the surgery on Gracie’s right ear in September.

"Despite, let's just say, a less than advantageous situation, made much worse by the terrible flooding they've endured, she is thriving," Meyer said.

Lori Tynch said she's never seen Gracie as excited as she was for the appointment.

"I want her to be able to understand everything, but my enjoyment for this is going to be her mind growing and her getting to the age level she's supposed to be," Lori Tynch said. "She's a very intelligent child."

Tynch said Gracie is even better behaved with the implant.

"She's taught us a lot, for being deaf," Tynch said. "She's taught us a lot. She's actually taught us a lot more than we've taught her."

She will undergo surgery on her left ear next summer.

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