The West of England Cochlear Implant Programme has celebrated
its 100th paediatric implant. The landmark was achieved when Leanne
Derrick from Hartcliffe had her implant fitted at Bristol Royal
Hospital for Children.
Children and adults with profound deafness may benefit from a
cochlear implant, which uses an external microphone, speech
processor and transmitter coil to pick up sounds, convert them into
electrical signals and send them to electrodes placed inside the
cochlea or inner ear.
The electrodes perform the role of damaged cells in the cochlea
and send electrical messages to the brain, which adjusts to
recognise these messages as sounds.
The West of England Cochlear Implant programme is a joint
venture between Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for
Children. The first adult was implanted in 1995 and the first child
in 1997.
To date, the programme as a whole has fitted more than 250
implants in adults and children from all over the south west, but
11-year-old Leanne was the 100th child.
Leanne was born with a hearing loss, but was able to use
conventional hearing aids to learn to talk. Unfortunately her
hearing got worse and so it was felt that she would get more
benefit from a cochlear implant.
Mr Robinson, Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant said: "This is a
wonderful milestone for the West of England Cochlear Implant
Programme."
Note to editors:
Photos of Leanne Derrick are available to the media.
For more information call the University Hospitals Bristol NHS
Foundation Trust press office on 0117 342 3718
