Opera singer who hid deafness for decades praises breakthrough surgery

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJanine Roebuck’s life was changed when she received double cochlear implants (ambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust/PA)Opera singer Janine Roebuck, 72, who concealed her deafness for over three decades, has described double cochlear implant surgery as "life-changing". Current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines typically restrict deaf adults to a single cochlear implant due to cost-effectiveness and perceived lack of evidence. A new government-funded study, backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is now trialling double implants for adults across 14 hospitals with over 250 participants. Ms Roebuck, who paid for her second implant after receiving one on the NHS, highlighted significantly improved sound quality, better spatial awareness and reduced isolation with bilateral implants. Researchers and charities hope the trial will provide the necessary evidence for Nice to revise its guidelines, potentially transforming care for thousands of NHS patients with severe hearing loss. In fullOpera singer who hid deafness for three decades hails ‘life-changing’ surgery ahead of nationwide trialThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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