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Samantha Collins was born without ears.

A News 8 report this past summer about a little girl with a facial deformity sparked so much community outrage, an insurance company changed their policy.

This week, that child got what you all demanded.

In life, Samantha Collins will have so many challenges other children will never face.

Her parents know other people stare at the facial syndrome called Treacher Collins that makes Samantha who she is. And so, they wanted badly to give her just one more thing to make her life a little more normal - hearing.

You see Sam, was born without ears too, though her hearing canal is intact.

"I think maybe if it was a really loud noise, she might've heard. But just regular conversation, regular everyday noises, I don't think she heard," said her mother Teri Collins.

After a News 8 report, United HealthCare agreed to pay for a very special, very expensive hearing aid that will be anchored to Samantha's head.

It'll be screwed in near where her ears should be.

Doctors are waiting for Samantha's pliable bone to harden around the screws implanted in August.

This is likely, the first time the 18-month old has heard her parents' voices.

For many youngsters, first sounds are frightening.

For Sam, it takes no time at all to realize the louder, the better.

"Now she's learning that she can make the sounds herself," said her mother, crying.

United HealthCare had initially said this hearing aid was considered cosmetic and therefore not covered.

After our report, News 8 heard from other families who say their insurance companies, too, changed their policies about paying for this bone-anchored hearing aid.

Teri and Chris Collins are thrilled other parents may be able to experience this joy.

"It's nice to be able to talk to her like this.

And not think that I'm just talking to myself," said Teri Collins. And with that, a whole new world opened up for a toddler who is now a little more like everyone else.