Having met the assessment criteria, I was surgically implanted in my left ear in August 2005. The implant was then switched on a month later. "At first the sounds I experienced were strange, but within a few weeks I could understand the voices of people I knew. Over time I could recognise people’s accents, I heard new birdsong, leaves rustling on the trees, and raindrops hitting the car as I drove along the road.”

Unfortunately, less than a year later, my cochlear implant failed. This is something that only happens in about one per cent of cases and it is usual for a person in this situation to be re-implanted within a few weeks of the device failure. However because I wanted to be considered for implantation in both ears, it was nearly a year and a half before I heard sound again.

Although bilateral implants are not routinely given in the UK due to the high costs involved, it is more cost effective to do two implants at once as the length of hospital stay is the same, irrespective of having one or both ears implanted. My failed implant and associated treatment came under warranty and the second implant was offered at a reduced rate because of this, and so my case was eventually successful. But it still took many letters to the primary care trust (PCT) before a decision was made.

Being without hearing during this period was a distressing experience for me, but fortunately, I underwent a simultaneous bilateral implantation in 2007 and today, just months after switch on, I am making good progress.

My left ear is already picking up from where the previous implant left off. My right ear, which has never heard before, is benefiting from a lot of rehabilitation and is also making good progress. Even on the day of switch on I was able to hear and locate a young man who was talking rather loudly in a café, much to the surprise of my husband. Now I am increasingly able to locate sounds, and can pick out people talking in cafés and restaurants even when they are some distance away.

There has been a great improvement in my quality of life. I am now much happier, more confident and motivated to enjoy life to the full. I can communicate and interact more with my three children and I have been able to enjoy many wonderful conversations with my husband without limiting the use of words; I can even talk to him on the phone.

Being bilateral is very important to me. When I’m out and about with my children, I am now confident about their safety when we cross the roads. I feel more confident walking along the street, going into shops, and
attending mother and toddler groups. It is so much easier to be part of the group.