Cochlear implants give hope to deaf children

The event marked the tenth anniversary of Great Ormond Street Hospital's cochlear implant programme and was organised by the hospital with support from Cochlear Europe, which provides the programme with the high-tech implants. Annabelle was the 200th child to benefit from the programme.

Dr Kaukab Rajput, consultant audiological physician at Great Ormond Street, is delighted that the hospital was able to organise an event involving so many children whose lives have been transformed. She says, 'The celebration was a great way for families to get together to share their similar experiences.'

The cochear implant works as an electrode device that is inserted into the inner ear. It transmits electric signals to the brain via the hearing nerve so that the brain can understand sound. Patients suitable for cochlear implantation are often those rendered completely deaf by a genetic defect or meningitis. Cochlear implants are only used when traditional hearing aids are of limited benefit. The earlier a child who could use one is identified and assessed, the better.