(CNN) — Ben Summers lights up with a smile the moment he talks about the “Batman” theme song or the afternoons he spends playing the piano at his grandmother’s house.

Just a few years ago, Ben could not hear music, laughter or any sounds at all. But today, the 6-year-old revels in the melodies from his favorite action hero movies, thanks to a cochlear implant he received at just 9 months old. He proudly calls the device his “ears.”

Now, babies who are even younger may have the same chance to hear sounds for the first time with the use of cochlear implants.

Medical technology company MED-EL announced Thursday that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved expanding the use of its Synchrony cochlear implants to children as young as 7 months who have bilateral profound sensorineu

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