The Ear Foundation turns 21!
The Ear Foundation celebrated its 21st birthday in May with a party.
In 1989 the first cochlear implant for a child in the UK was funded by The Ear Foundation and carried out at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham with much support from the local community. Today the majority of children born profoundly deaf go on to have a cochlear implant and are able to hear, and attend mainstream schools. Cochlear implants have transformed the opportunities for these children, and for the increasing numbers of deaf adults who are choosing to have implants.
Many of these children and adults with implants enjoyed the party at The Ear Foundation’s headquarters in Nottingham, as Chief Executive, Sue Archbold said: “We were delighted so many came to join us to celebrate the day – old and new friends – babies to adults with implants – with The Ear Foundation making a difference to their lives. The sun shone as people used the opportunity to look at The Ear Foundation’s facilities for implant users and their families – to see how our new Sound Advice service with Maria Cameron can help them make the most of their implants. They also took the time to chat and catch up – and to enjoy the activities- a magician to entertain – animals from White Post Farm sanctuary to enjoy – and to show prowess on the Wii games!
“We were delighted to welcome Councillor Marie Males, Mayor of Rushcliffe, who has made The Ear Foundation her charity of the year. The Mayor has seen The Ear Foundation grow from its early beginnings in 1989 and is delighted to support it in its 21 year.”
Marian Batt, mother of Michael, the boy who received the first implant in 1989, said last year “The change in 20 years is unbelievable. We all had to fight for implantation to be available and The Ear Foundation funded the operations then. Now the amazing opportunities Michael has are open to all deaf children and their families.”
