"Sweet Nothing in My Ear," April 20, CBS

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The successful marriage between a hearing husband and a deaf wife is threatened by a dispute over the appropriate treatment for their son, who is also deaf, in "Sweet Nothing in My Ear." This warm, family-friendly drama, a "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation, premieres on CBS Sunday, April 20, 9-11 p.m. EDT.

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When Dan Miller (Jeff Daniels) learns that a recently refined therapy called a cochlear implant offers his 8-year-old son, Adam (Noah Valencia), who lost his hearing at age 4, the opportunity to regain it, he's intrigued. But for his wife, Laura (Marlee Matlin), a teacher at a school for the deaf, the procedure represents an admission that deafness is a handicap, a viewpoint she vigorously opposes. Their disagreement becomes so acute that they separate and go to court over Adam's custody.

Adding to the tension is Laura's father Max (Ed Waterstreet), an author and advocate of "deaf pride," who's concealing a significant family secret.

Writer Stephen Sachs' adaptation of his own play, directed by Joseph Sargent, ultimately emphasizes the friendship and mutual respect that form the foundation of a lasting marriage. The film also upholds the dignity of the deaf in keeping with Catholic values. Along with the wholesome, smoothly acted story, there's even an intriguing explanation of the baseball custom whereby the umpire not only calls strikes and balls, but signals them manually as well.

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