Janine Roebuck, a formerly deaf opera singer who regained her hearing thanks to cochlear implants, has described as ‘life changing’ an upcoming Cambridge-led trial in hearing loss.
The UK trial will provide bilateral cochlear implants (cochlear implants on both sides) to some profoundly deaf adults. The results will be used to review NHS guidance for the provision of implants to adults.
Each year over 1,000 adults in the UK receive cochlear implants to restore their hearing. Under NHS guidance, adults currently only receive a single (unilateral) implant, yet evidence suggests having two could offer significant improvements in prospects and quality of life and may now be cost effective.
Janine said: “With bilateral implants, I no longer consider myself to be deaf. They have been utterly life changing and, for me, have broken a generational curse. I am excited that this trial will offer the same opportunity to others.”
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the trial is being co-led from Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the University of Cambridge. It will run in 14 hospitals and include over 250 adult participants, who will either receive one (unilateral) or two (bilateral) implants. Participants will be monitored for 12 months after surgery to assess the effects of the implants on wellbeing, ability to hear speech in noise, and quality of life. The study will also evaluate the economic benefits and cost of bilateral implants for the NHS.
