Phoebe was born on Christmas Day; at 6 weeks old it was confirmed that she was profoundly deaf. A story to celebrate 25 Year of children's cochlear implants

Phoebe was born on Christmas Day; at 6 weeks old it was confirmed that she was profoundly deaf. Phoebe was fitted with hearing aid but they did not give her any access to sound. Her family went through the assessments for a cochlear implant.

At the age of 15 months Phoebe had her operation and a month later she had her 'tuning' to turn her cochlear implant on. From then on she went from strength to strength. Within 3 months she said her first word and then the words rushed out after that. 

Just after her 2nd Birthday she started a local mainstream pre-school. Phoebe continued to progress, at 2 and a half she had age appropriate speech for a hearing child of her age and she had only had hearing for a year! 

25 years ago The Ear Foundation in Nottingham funded the first 10 children's cochlear implants in the UK. Today most profoundly deaf children get a cochlear implant funded by the NHS and The Ear Foundation provides support and services to deaf children, young people and adults of all ages and with all hearing technologies. Cochlear Implants continue to provide hearing to children and adults alike.  

Phoebe's experience of cochlear implants has been very positive. The Ear Foundation has been a great source of support through the journey. 

Visit: www.earfoundation.org.uk