Although this implant made a huge difference to Joshua’s life, as he could hear sounds for the first time, it was a bit like only have one eye – and he wanted a second implant to give him the directional hearing and greater clarity in noisy environments that you and I can enjoy.

Then in 2007, Joshua’s wish came true and he received a second Baha implant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The implant helped him hugely in his first month at his new mainstream secondary school, Doncaster’s Trinity Academy. The school has 300 pupils in each year group and has a reputation for high academic achievement. Joshua’s second implant has been crucial in helping him to keep up with his fully hearing peers.

Later in 2007, Joshua also had two prosthetic ears fitted. These are made from a rubbery plastic materials and clip onto two gold bars on either side of his head. When you watch him chatting happily on his mobile phone, you wouldn’t guess that he had any hearing impairment at all.

Joshua is delighted with both his Bahas and his prosthetic ears and wants other children and adults in a similar situation to know how they could benefit from a Baha system.