Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image

Iceni Magazine | March 26, 2024

Scroll to top

Top

Woman Who Has Been Deaf Her Whole Life Can Now Hear

SWNS_COCHLEAR_HEARING_05

A woman who has been deaf all her life is now hearing for the first time thanks to new technology – and is already nagging her husband about being too LOUD.

Mum-of-three Louise Windsor, 41, was discovered to be deaf at the age of 14 months and has spent the last four decades in virtual silence.

But thanks to a pioneering operation which saw doctors install a device that provides sound signals to the brain she is now able to enjoy the sounds of birds and music – and her family’s voices.

But hubbie Mark, 41, says while he is over the moon for his wife he admits she’s already telling him he eats too loudly – and has the TV up too loud.

Louise, a dinner lady, said: ”I can hear birds outside, I can hear an aeroplane and even my dishwasher. It has changed my life.

“At first it was hard and took a while to get used to people talking but now I can hear most things. I’ve always lip read so I still do that naturally.”

Mark added: ”If you’re eating a packet of crisps it does her head in. Now we find she is the one telling us to keep it down – when I have Coronation Street on she’ll turn the volume down.”

Louise, from Wellington in Somerset, was the 1,000th patient to have had the procedure at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

SWNS_COCHLEAR_HEARING_20

The mother heard about the operation through a friend, made inquiries through her GP and was referred.

For the procedure, a cochlear implant, similar to a mini-microphone, was put into her ear. The device sends information as electrical impulses directly to the nerve.

Surgeon Philip Robinson and his team drilled through the bone and into the inner ear.

A 2.5mm hole in a slot of just 4mm was then created – avoiding both the ear drum and the facial nerve that lives close by.

Mr Robinson then threaded a string of electrodes into a hole the size of the head of a needle. After a four-week wait the device was switched on.

Mark said: “We were sat outside having coffee and she could hear birds in the trees and a car 200 yards away. Everyone – friends and family – are all so pleased for her.”

Louise said: “It’s emotional hearing my husband’s voice.”

“That’s just the effect I have,” joked Mark.

ENDS

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On FacebookVisit Us On InstagramCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Pinterest