'Struggling to hear can be extremely isolating. The implants are life-changing'

OPERA SINGER JANINE ROEBUCK HID HEARING LOSS FOR 30 YEARS. HAVING SURGERY WAS 'BEST THING I'VE DONE'

- By JANE KIRBY, PA

AN opera singer who hid her deafness for more than 30 years has described “life-changing” surgery that has the potential to become the norm for thousands of NHS patients.

Janine Roebuck, 72, from London, had double cochlear implants fitted to restore her hearing, a method now being trialled nationwide to see whether it can transform the lives of thousands more people.

Under current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), the vast majority of deaf adults are only eligible for one cochlear implant.

This is based on analysis suggesting that offering two is not cost effective for the NHS and a lack of evidence in the area.

To address this, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which receives Government funding, is backing a new study into two implants for adults, which is being led by Addenbrooke's Hospital and the University of Cambridge.

Ms Roebuck suffers from the inherited condition sensorineural hearing loss, which accounts for around 70 per cent of all cases of genetic hearing loss.

The condition has been carried down through generations of her family.

In 2019, she underwent cochlear implant surgery on the NHS for one ear, as per the guidelines, but decided to pay to have the other ear done at the same time using her own money.

For more than 30 years, she had hid her deteriorating hearing, despite being a mezzo-soprano, performing in operas, operettas and musicals, including at the Royal Opera House in London. She has now retired.

She said having the surgery was “the best thing I’ve ever done in my life”, adding: “Having two implants is light years away from just one.

“Sound quality is so much better, sounds are fuller, clearer, louder and more natural.