What's The Story?

This image shows an art group enjoying a painting session.The boy looking at the teacher has a cochlear implant. The teacher is signing "well done!" as the children are painting their self portraits.

About 200 children a year receive implants in the UK. Children are not usually given an implant before they are one year old, but if a child who is born deaf is to get the full benefit from an implant it is best that they are fitted before the age of five. Cochlear implants give a sensation of hearing if you are profoundly deaf. They are electronic devices made up of two parts, external and internal. The external part is worn like a hearing aid either on your head or clipped to your clothes - the internal part is surgically implanted in your ear. For more information visit www.ndcs.org.uk or www.rnid.org.uk

Notice also the poster in the background showing signs for everyday phrases.