Escape from the world of silence

He was just 13 when he was struck down with meningitis and spent 13 months in hospital. Slowly but surely, the Southampton youngster could hear less and less and was forever asking family and friends to speak up.

He was treated with antibiotics to clear up the problem and was told that his hearing would come back - but that only made it considerably worse. His parents kept the terrible secret away from him that he would remain deaf for the rest of his life.

"I just remember how lonely and isolated I became,'' the retired panel beater explained. "My sister told me it made me very angry. Thankfully I've had some great friends and my family were so very good to me. I also had a happy personality and that has also helped get me through.''

Brian, who went to a special unit in Brighton for the profoundly deaf for two terms before leaving school to go to work, never thought he would ever again experience the simple joy of hearing - that is until nine years ago, when he heard about cochlear implants.

Even then his medical history suggested they would not work. Three years ago, however, he underwent the remarkable operation in Southampton - and a whole new world has opened up.

"It was very strange," he remarked at hearing sounds again. "My sister was talking to me and I thought I was imagining it when I heard her speaking. People didn't understand what I was suffering from, they thought I was silly. This operation has given me so much more confidence.''

Brian, 67, from Heath Cottages, Fair Oak, was one of dozens of people who attended a special celebration to mark the 100th person having their hearing restored by surgeons at the university's cochlear implant centre, which covers an area as far west as Devon, north to the M4 corridor, takes in part of south-west London and extends to West Sussex.

The first operation was carried out in Southampton in 1990.

Lasting about three hours, the operation begins with the surgeon making a small cut behind an ear and then drilling through the mastoid bone and into the cochlea, where 22 separate electrodes are inserted.

Surgeon Mike Pringle spoke of the immense personal satisfaction he derives from the work. "It really is extremely rewarding. We see children who are so completely deaf they couldn't hear a chainsaw going next to them, but after the operation, they can hear normally and speak.

"It also makes a considerable difference to adults who can become isolated and withdrawn but this builds up their confidence and enables them to interact with their family, especially grandchildren.''

How Southampton's cochlear implant operations can change lives:

Joan St Omer, of Ellwood Avenue, Thornhill, Southampton:

"My hearing started going in 1989 when I suffered Menieres syndrome. It was so frustrating, not just for myself but also for my son and my family. I also felt very isolated.

"Now my hearing is getting better and better, and when I hear an unusual sound, I just stand still in my tracks to find what it is and where it's coming from. It's extraordinary.''

Brian Smith of Botley Road, Horton Heath:

"My son Sam lost his hearing when he was two from meningitis. It was very difficult for us because we had not come across anything like this before. He underwent his operation in 2001.

"We were warned not to expect it to be 100 per cent perfect but we are impressed by what he has achieved. I'm just delighted at the way things have worked out.''

Peter Miell, of Eldon Road, Kings Somborne:

"Lucy, the youngest of my three children - she is coming up to three - was diagnosed as being profoundly deaf within two months of birth because she wasn't responding to anything. She was unaware she couldn't hear because she didn't have that understanding.

"She had the operation last September and life now is a lot easier for us. She can hear low and high-pitched sounds.''

Pam French, of Arnold Road, Eastleigh:

"Mike had been a textbook baby but he was just 16 months old when he went down with meningitis.

"His hearing started to go three or four months after the illness and then went completely.

"He had his implants about 12 months later.

"Just to be able to call his name and get a response is wonderful. That sounds so mundane but you don't know how wonderful it is.

"Every small achievement means a lot more and you appreciate everything he has done.

"He is now just starting to put phrases together.''

Katie Cheeseman, of Redhill Close, Bassett, Southampton:

"I lost my hearing five years ago through a congenital disorder. I left a party in Ocean Village where there had been loud music and found my hearing muffled. I thought it would go away but it didn't.

"I couldn't function properly at work as a policy and performance manager at social services and needed help to understand what was going on at meetings. I also suffered stress because I got tinnitis and couldn't hear my son, which put him at risk.

"I suffered discrimination. People didn't realise I couldn't hear and thought I was being rude. I can't wait for the operation. It'll be brilliant to hear music again and go to the theatre.''