TODDLER Eleanor Fitter, who was born profoundly deaf, has heard her first sounds this week - thanks to a life-changing operation and revolutionary equipment.

The two-year-old, who lives in Corunna Main, Andover, had her specially-adapted cochlear implant switched on for the first time on Monday and made her first noise.

It was a wonderful moment for Eleanor's parents Tracy and Mark, sister Lydia, aged six and brother Nathan, aged four, who don't know why she was born deaf.

Mum Tracy Fitter said: "It's just unbelievable knowing she can hear things now.

"Her little face is looking around in wonder. She's taken it all in her stride and has been fantastic.

"The only sounds I ever heard her make before this week were vibrations like a growl, but on Monday she made a clear and distinct 'ug' sound so she's progressing already.

"It could take her six months to two years to speak, but I think she'll pick it up quite quickly if the different sounds she's making are anything to go by. Hopefully by the time she starts school she may have caught up with other children.

"From being completely deaf to being able to hear speech and TV. It's unbelievable.

"We watched Noddy this morning. We had it on loud because the implant is on a low level. But she sat in her little chair and was completely spellbound. I've never seen her do that before."

The operation, scheduled for August, was originally cancelled due to a lack of funding.

But after her plight was highlighted in the Andover Advertiser, the story was picked up by TV and an anonymous benefactor came forward with the £30,000 needed - allowing Eleanor's operation to go ahead on September 13.

It is perfect timing for the toddler, who should now be able to recognise noises and possibly even say her own name by the time she starts at the pre-school at Longparish in February.

Eleanor will return several times to specialists in Southampton over the next few weeks to have further tests and so the noise level on her implant can be turned up.

She is expected to receive speech and language therapy on a weekly basis until she leaves school.

But part of Eleanor's hearing equipment has already gone missing.

She lost the small beige magnetic disc, during a shopping trip in Andover on Tuesday between Woolworth's and the White Hart Hotel.

If anyone finds it, Tracy has asked them to pass it to staff at the Andover Advertiser offices on London Street.