Nokia has announced the release of a new mobile phone accessory designed for users with hearing aids.

The Nokia Wireless Loopset works with cochlear implants and slips around the user's neck. The Loopset is compatible with Bluetooth-ready handsets, essentially transforming the user's hearing aid into a headset. The device features adjustable sidetone levels, single button calling and a vibrating alert.

Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby yesterday presented an appeal on behalf of the Cued Speech Association UK, a charity helping deaf children and adults to overcome the difficulties of learning to lipread by teaching them to recognise visual cues within the lip-patterns of everyday speech.

The ten-minute programme can be viewed online here and will be broadcast again at lunchtime on 20 August on (BBC2). The appeal should ensure that more families hear about Cued Speech and that they have the opportunity to benefit from it.

Alison, 26, talks about her cochlear implant experience, in the last of a four-part diary series on the DeafBlog.

Read part three here.

I had my cochlear implant annual review on 16th November 2004. The CI is now part of me – without it, I am lost. I cannot imagine not using the processor. The scores from the CUNY tests were promising this year and for the first time, I was pleased with them.

It took me three years to get to this point – a lot longer than I thought it would. However, I can now say that I am very pleased with the results and the fact that I have got this implant. I could not stop smiling all day that day! There was so much that I’d missed out on, like birds singing (which I never knew with my HAs), running water, hearing speech without lip-reading, and using the phone. Up until recently, I have been too scared to use the phone due to lack of confidence.

I’ve also just bought a CD player, and by using the cable to input directly to the processor, I have enjoyed music. I can hear a lot, although sometimes I don’t have a clue what I am listening to! I do find orchestra music horrible though – too much high, screechy noise!

I have made more trips to the cinema since I had the implant, especially in the past twelve months. Although I don’t pick up the full context, I can follow it a lot better than before with HAs. The only thing that gets in my nerves is the noisy rustling of crisp packets and popcorn, and people munching on food and slurping on drinks. This does put me off!

I know it's not perfect but I’m more than happy and it's far more than I'd hoped. I'd like it to continue to improve, especially with the telephone use, but if I’d chosen not to have the implant, I'd be missing out on all of this. A lot of people have also said that my speech has improved a great deal and those who I haven’t met before implantation sometimes don’t realise I have hearing loss. Many people, especially my colleagues whom I have been working with for two and half years, have said they forget I'm deaf!

Although when I first went back to work after switch on – everyone expected me to have perfect hearing – which is far from the case. Since I've been implanted I've only met one implant user ‘out in the wild’ – although I do try to attend the users group that's held at the hospital, which I find helpful. It gives me an opportunity to meet other people who have been through what I have, and therefore understand what I'm talking about for a change!

Since I've been implanted I have had regular appointments with various members of the CI team; once/twice a month since switch on for regular (intensive at times) hearing therapy, speech therapy, re-mappings etc. Without them, their persistence, advice, tips, support etc – I’d never get here and I can’t thank them enough! I have found this a long and difficult road. It took me three years to get to the point where I felt happy with all this. The CI team have all been great to me and were always there if needed them.

Earlier this year my worst fears came true. My processor broke down a day after New Year which meant I was left with no hearing for four days; whilst waiting for a replacement to come in the post. It was difficult and I had to completely rely on lip-reading and visual clues. When the replacement came it was like everything was back to when I was first switched on – I could not recognise any of the sounds, everything was metallic and jumbled. I couldn’t even recognise my own voice and I hated it! It took good 24 hours before it all settled again! Therefore, I empathise with those whose implants have failed internally. Those four days were the worse of my life.

Having kept a diary throughout this process, I can look back and see how far I’ve come. I’d advise others who are considering a cochlear implant, to get lots of information and ask questions, no matter how stupid they sound. Talk to the CI team and other users and attend the users groups which are held once/twice a year – this is a very good support network. Have a lot of patience and however difficult it is, keep your expectations low. You have nothing to lose. Go for it!

The end

Readers can find Alison's Cochlear Implant Users Group here

If you would like your story featured on The DeafBlog, please email us here.

The World of Sound, a website sponsored by Cochlear UK, aims to raise awareness of Baha, with a new campaign.

The site contains information about cochlear implants and Baha and how they can literally open up ‘a world of sound’ to children and adults with differing levels of hearing impairment to profound deafness.

David Proops, ENT surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre Birmingham and Birmingham Children’s Hospital, is among those explaining why Baha is so successful. He explains that it is a relatively simple procedure where there is no risk to the patient or their existing hearing.

Read more from David, here.

“NDCS is the national charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people, and is funded almost entirely through public donations. None of our work would be possible without the commitment of our fundraisers, so we urge schools across the country to take on the NDCS Fingerspellathon and help us to continue our work.”

There are 35,000 deaf children in the UK and 90% are born to hearing parents with little or no experience of deafness. NDCS provides practical support and impartial information to families with deaf children on all aspects of childhood deafness.

To order a NDCS Fingerspellathon pack please contact Alison Burrell. To find out about more ways to fundraise for NDCS, visit the website www.ndcs.org.uk/schools.

The Graeme Clark Scholarship 2008, a unique award open to Nucleus cochlear implant recipients around the world, is now open for applications.

The award, set up to support implant recipients financially when they continue further education at an accredited institution, is bigger and better for this year. Now with five winners instead of one, the following countries/regions have been grouped together, so that a winner can be selected from each.

Winners will be awarded 6,000 euros each, paid in two instalments.

Those eligible should either be:

- currently completing their final year of school and who have been accepted onto a university or other tertiary education course

- mature-aged students who have been accepted onto a university or other tertiary education course

- students currently undertaking a university degree or other tertiary education

The deadline for applications is 15th September 2008. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to the Cochlear ideals of compassion and benevolence.

Professor Graeme Clark is the Professor of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne. It is the pioneering work of his university department that led to the first multi-channel research implant “bionic ear” being “switched on” in 1978 and the first Nucleus implant in 1982. His lifelong commitment to finding a solution for the hearing impaired has resulted in a revolution not only for those with a profound hearing loss but also their family and friends.

For further information, contact Kate King, Advocacy Specialist on 01932 871 500 or visit the Cochlear website

London's Science Museum has lots on offer this summer for families to enjoy, and guests at a number of its events will now benefit from a British Sign Language interpreter.

From shows like 'Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles', to 'Space In Your Face', a 35-minute journey through space in an action-packed extravaganza of a show, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Other shows will include 'The Rocket Show', and the 'Spaced Out Tour'. Also join the Super Science Museum Game Show - Come on down for sizzling science, daring demos and fantastic facts!

Click here for more info, or check out our Facebook group.

Alison, 26, talks about her cochlear implant experience, in the third of a four-part diary series on the DeafBlog. Read part one here and part two here.

Until the 9th October, which was my switch on day, I spent time recovering from the surgery and had to manage without hearing aids for the first time. I actually tried using them a couple weeks post op – but it was no good. However I did have a lot of tinnitus – which I found annoying as it lasted for some months. I was told not to wash my hair for two weeks, which was horrible, as with the usual grime of unwashed hair, I also had iodine, surgical solutions and dried blood to deal with. My balance was also affected and I felt very tired.

Although I was apprehensive about the switch on, I was also excited and couldn’t wait. I was looking forward to hearing some sounds, as since I’d had the operation, I’d been managing with no hearing, and was surprised that it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. I hadn’t realised how heavily I’d relied on lip-reading and visual clues. Also, as I didn’t feel that great, I didn’t worry too much. As for watching TV, I relied a lot on subtitles.

When I first wore my processor, it felt a little heavy, and having the coil stuck to my head felt strange. When the big moment came; I tried really hard not to get my expectations high. Dawn said ‘can you hear me?’ I said ‘what?’ At first I thought she was still fiddling with the computer; but no, she waited patiently for my response.

I heard nothing at first, then it started coming in – only loud unmeaningful noises – it sounded unreal and I thought ‘it this it?’ I tried hard not to get upset and to stay positive but it was easier said than done, but I can tell you that at this point I was let down and disappointed. I really wanted my hearing aids back – as I could hear more with them. Nothing made sense, my Dad tried to talk to me, but he didn’t sound right. Dawn also tried making some noises – but sounds were echoed loud and sounded scratchy. No one’s voices were right. I wanted my old life back, but I had no choice – this or total deafness.

I had no idea what to expect, only told that it would be very different and not pleasant to start with. No-one can really tell you what it’s like, you need to experience it for yourself. I was told that as I’d lost my hearing at five months old, I’d not had any memory of normal hearing so I’d had to start from scratch. It’s like being a baby again, everything would be completely new for me.

For the first time in my life I could hear the high frequency sounds, which I didn’t know existed, i.e. birds singing, doors creaking, stirring with a metal spoon and tapping of keys on a keyboard. It was about a year before I started to appreciate the new sounds coming through. I was picking up a lot of new sounds each day, but I could not tolerate the high-pitched noises. There are a lot of sounds that probably everyone takes for granted.

To be continued…

Readers can find Alison's Cochlear Implant Users Group here

The show, which brings something completely new to the table, is all about opportunity and living your life to the full. Central to the show is a ‘can do’ attitude and not viewing disability as an inability but as a challenge to overcome boundaries.

Also attending the event is The Deaf Blog's Jeremy Millensted who featured in the BBC2 series Beyond Boundaries.

Jeremy, who is profoundly deaf, joined nine physically disabled young people for the TV documentary which is linked to Beyond Boundaries Live, for a four week trek across Equador. Now 20, Jeremy has had a cochlear implant since the age of 12.

As some of you may not yet know, we have a Facebook group that we’d love for you to join. We post up pictures, links and news stories, and enable more discussion.

The Facebook accompaniment to the DeafBlog, of the same name, is designed for deaf people and/or those who have an interest in the deaf community. You can contact us with content for this site through there, as well as by emailing hello@thedeafblog.co.uk.

(If you can't access the group through the link, just type 'The Deaf Blog' into the search box.)

The charity hopes AMs’ support will lead to more services being delivered to older people with sight and hearing problems.

Alison, 26, talks about her cochlear implant experience, in the second of a four-part diary series on the DeafBlog. Read part one here

Over the course of 2001, I had the usual hearing tests, balance tests, CT, and then an MRI scan, psychological, hearing and speech therapy assessments. I also spoke at length with various people within the team and met a cochlear implant user which helped enormously.

In May, when I met with my consultant Mr Robinson again, I was certain that I wanted to get more out of my hearing and decided to go ahead with the implant. At the time I still wasn’t sure what to expect, but from what I’d heard, I knew it would really help me.

It took about 18 months from first referral to the surgery. I was lucky I only had to wait about three months from the time I made my decision to the day I went under the knife, as I know there are several people who have been waiting for ages to get funding.

In August I had a letter from the hospital about my admission date – which was 12th Sept 2001 – just four weeks time! I was expecting to wait longer than this, but I was glad as it meant I could get the worst part over and done with (as I was dreading the surgery!)

I went into hospital on the 12th Sept (this was the day after the attack of the twin towers in America). Lynne, my speech therapist, popped in to see me, which was kind of her. She also popped in when I came back from theatre the next day. That night was the longest of my life! The following morning I was taken to theatre. I can clearly remember using my hearing aids for the last time – I wanted to relish the last moments of the hearing I had left, as I knew that I would not be able to use them again for the rest of my life. It was an ‘end of an era’ for me! I remember going down about 9.30am, then didn’t come round in recovery until 3pm. It was longer than I expected – I expected to be back on the ward by lunchtime!

I remember Mr. Robinson came to see me in his theatre greens before I went to theatre. He asked me if there was anything I wanted to ask? I said no, as I was too scared. I wanted to get through all this first, then ask questions later. Then I knew it would all be over.

I remember being asked repetitive questions whilst they tried to get me ‘under’, I cannot tell you how scared I was! I remember blacking out, and then it felt like only a moment until I was waking up, let alone five and half hours later! At first I was not sure where I was and remember panicking and feeling trapped as I had this bandage, oxygen mask, drip and all these wires all over the place! Then a nurse put up a sign right in front of my face; saying ‘Alison, you are in recovery – it’s all over’. I cannot tell you the HUGE relief – I was pleased it was over and I’d made it!

I remember the room was spinning really quickly, I felt sick and my head was sore. But I was pleased that I’d made it through. Just after I came back to the ward; a good friend of mine, Jo, who’d had her CI done the same time as me – only a year earlier, came to see me which really cheered me up.

I first got out of bed at midday the following day, and it felt like my head was falling apart. The room was spinning, but I did feel a lot better after a wash. That was when I first saw myself in the mirror.

Julia, one of the audiologists, popped in to see me, which was nice, and explained what would happen over the next few weeks. I was also able to ask her what had happened in theatre. Now it was all over, I didn’t mind hearing the details! It did help – just knowing what was causing the tinnitus for example. It was because they had to drill into the skull to put the implant in.

That afternoon I had a wheelchair ride down to radiology for an X-ray. What a sight I must have looked, in fluffy slippers, an IV drip in one arm and a huge bandage with hair sticking out of the top! (Must have looked like a pineapple!)

When the bandages finally came off, I felt sure that my head was going to fall apart – as it felt extra light! This also meant I was able to see the scar for first time. I am sure Mr. Robinson shaved more hair off than he stated a few months before! The scar was a banana shape and about seven inches long.

The pain was controlled by painkillers. That side was swollen but it was to be expected. Also affected was my tongue – it was numb and I lost my taste for a while.

I spent time recovering from the surgery, managing without hearing aids for the first time, and awaited switch on.

To be continued…

Readers can find Alison's Cochlear Implant Users Group here

The boys probably thought they had grabbed a Bluetooth headset, which are in high demand now that drivers are required to use their mobile phones hands-free. Luckily, the boys ditched the earpiece – the external part of Jose's implanted hearing device, as they fled.

Giron found it in the market carpark, still intact.

"He kept asking, 'Where is it? Where is it?' – repeating words that the processor had helped Jose learn to say.

Advocates for the deaf at first welcomed the Bluetooth craze: Deaf people with cochlear implants, they thought, wouldn't stand out so much if everyone wore little gadgets behind their ears. But some now fear that Bluetooth headsets will become as popular with thieves as iPods -- and that deaf people will become inadvertent targets.

Finlay McNamara was so excited to hear the 1990s pop song after undergoing a cochlear implant operation that he wanted to hear it again.

His mother, Louise, said the word out loud to her three-year-old son and he repeated it after listening to Macarena by Los del Rio on the car radio on their way home.

"We were all dancing away in the car when it came on and he just loved it.

"Up until this point Finlay had to use sign language, so I suppose he already knew what he wanted to say. He'd just never spoken before."

The three-hour operation has given little Finlay a new lease of life after he was born deaf.

But his mother and husband, Phil, only learned their son was deaf when he was one year old. Finlay had seemed so alert in distraction tests that he managed to convince health visitors he was responding to noise.

He was almost one when his mother noticed that he did not flinch when some crates crashed to a supermarket floor.

His parents, who have two other children, tried shouting behind his back and making loud noises around him and his deafness was soon medically confirmed.

Mrs McNamara, 36, said: "To have not known he was completely deaf for over a year was devastating for us. Looking back I can't believe that none of us realised he couldn't hear.

"Getting deaf children help as soon as possible is essential with their development so it was really upsetting."

But Finlay's consultant in Leeds referred him to top ear nose and throat (ENT) consultant Chris Raine at the Yorkshire Cochlear Implant Centre based at Bradford Royal Infirmary, where Finlay was found to be a suitable candidate for a cochlear implant.

The operation involved implanting an electronic device, often known as a bionic ear, into his inner ear.

Then the external part of the cochlear implant, which sends an electronic signal to Finlay's inner ear, enabling him to hear, was switched on.

Finlay now attends a nursery with provision for deaf children and he has speech therapy.

Mrs McNamara, a teacher, said: "They think he should be able to cope with mainstream school. It has really changed all of our lives and it is wonderful to know he can now appreciate sounds.

"On the first day we found out he was deaf we thought 'will he get a job?', 'will he get married?' All we wanted was for him to hear and thanks to his consultant, Mr Raine, he can.

"I'm not sure when I'll get sick of listening to Macarena though."

Alison, 26, talks about her cochlear implant experience, in the first of a four-part diary series on the DeafBlog.

I had my Cochlear Implant fitted in 2001, and three and a half years on, felt that it was time to talk about my ‘CI Experience’.

I had been keeping a diary throughout my CI journey, summarising the pre-implant assessments and the ‘final decision’, whether or not to have the implant; then from the surgery right through switch on, plus the ‘rehab’. Since then I kept it going fairly regularly for the first six months, where after that I put in various ‘milestones’ and yearly updates. I was encouraged to do this by Dawn, my audiologist; and I’m glad I did. It helps me as I can see how far I have come, looking back now…

Until I was about four, we lived in Taunton. From then we moved to Ilminster, Somerset and have lived here since. Since I needed specialised support i.e. with Hearing Impaired Unit etc, I did my education in Taunton (about ten miles from home).

I attended mainstream schools, with a hearing-impaired unit attached, for my primary and secondary education; both in Taunton, Somerset where I had support and used a radio aid which I loathed! But had no choice! The first I heard of a cochlear implant was when I was about 9/10 years old. I was watching a documentary on TV, and at the time was shocked by the sight of the surgery, and the fact that they were drilling into the skull! It looked frightening. Although I remembered my Dad asking if I would like one, it meant drilling a hole in the head and putting a wire through – I said no! Then it was shown on one of the ‘Children’s Hospital’ programmes – again I wasn't sure. I saw a CI operation being carried out on TV and it looked horrendous!

It wasn't until I was halfway through sixth form college when I was 17, after an appointment with my audiologist at Musgrove that I would look into it and be assessed to see if I was a potential candidate for a CI. Therefore, my GP referred me to my ENT at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, and from there to Mr. Robinson at Southmead Hospital in Bristol (60 miles away from home – this was the nearest hospital that does CIs). At that time I didn't see any harm in finding out about it.

I went up to Southmead Hospital for the initial appointment in March 2000 which was when I first met the CI team – I can remember this very clearly! They did several hearing tests and CUNY tests and even showed me the Body Worn Processor, which looked alien-like! I hated it at the time, but was reminded that by the time I should have a CI, it would be likely that I’d be having the BTE processor. Everyone kept saying to me that I hadn't got much hearing at all, that I had nothing to lose, but I didn't believe them as I felt I was hearing enough because my HAs were my lifeline. Someone once said to me ‘your hearing isn't good and with a cochlear implant it will be much better’ – but I didn’t believe them, as then I couldn't see what I was missing. Looking back now, I can see how little I had.

To be continued…