The greater impact of the film lies more in its educational emphasis. A cochlear implant - and especially a double for both ears - is still a relatively new procedure. Justin is the first in the state of Oklahoma to receive the operation, but there are still few patients who have gone before him. The film is careful to explain not only how we hear on a basic level, and how it can become damaged, but also how this surgery works to circumvent that damage. Both the medical explanations for Justin's hearing loss and the post-operation therapy exercises help to illuminate the mechanics of hearing that are often taken for granted.
On a technical level, the film comes across as low budget. Although not uncommon for documentaries, this one doesn't rise above its limitations with creativity. Fixed interview shots are competent but vanilla, and the editing is functionally minimal. Even its standard-definition film quality is low grade with artifacting and lack of crispness. It's not distracting, but neither is it anything better than that. At roughly 48 minutes, it also isn't long, however this feels like the right amount of time for the subject. The pace is efficient without feeling rushed or, otherwise, drawn out. But that also makes it feel a bit less than feature-length, which is something to keep in mind when considering this as a purchase.
In short, the film is not bad, but its striving to be a dramatic tale falls flat. The outcome is telegraphed from the beginning, the camera work and editing are rudimentary, and the disc itself is short on actual content. What is does do well is explain the background of hearing loss and how medical advancements are coming together to offer solutions to elect candidates. For those interested in the topic, this could be a good rental.
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