Toddler will be given the gift of hearing
A profoundly deaf toddler will be given the gift of hearing when she undergoes a cochlear implant operation, the Andover Advertiser reported yesterday.
One year-old Rosannah Harris, of Basingstoke will undergo the operation after NHS bosses gave the green light to funding for the rare procedure.
Rosannah failed the new-born hearing screening programme at Basingstoke hospital at four days old and six weeks old. She was diagnosed with being profoundly deaf in both ears and was subsequently referred for the operation.
Her family have now received the good news that Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) will fund Rosannah's life-changing surgery.
Her mother Victoria - who is a nurse at Basingstoke hospital where her husband and Rosannah's father Kevin, 39, is a general surgeon - said: "When we found out Rosannah was profoundly deaf, it was a complete shock because there is no history of deafness in the family.
"We had no clue and we are so grateful to the audiology team at Basingstoke hospital because without them it wouldn't have been picked up so early.
"At the moment, we're going to a lot of hospital appointments and we encourage Rosannah to talk as much as possible. When she does, we make a huge fuss over her."
The 36-year-old added: "We're thrilled Rosannah will be getting 'bionic ears', which will have a huge impact on her life."
Click here to donate to the Harris' sponsored run.
Read the full story at the Andover Advertiser.
