AN IRISH boy who underwent a bionic ear operation earlier this year will return to Britain this week to have the device activated.
Calum Geary (3), from Ballyhooley, Co Cork, was diagnosed as having profound hearing problems last year. He was the first Irish child to undergo the pioneering auditory brainstem implant procedure, with his operation in February at Manchester University Hospital. Calum will return to have the device switched on.
“Calum will be put under general anaesthetic on Wednesday and the device will be activated on Thursday,” his father Andrew said. “We have feelings of trepidation and excitement. We are aware that for a lot of kids, the first reaction is fear. They have never heard before. His sign language is improving and he is in good form.
“We have had a Communion this weekend in our house so it is all go at the moment.”
Andrew and his wife Helen have been heartened by the “fantastic” response to fundraising to cover Calum’s post-operative costs.
Calum is to attend a month-long therapy programme at the John Casey clinic in Los Angeles in summer. The device has been used on 140 people and has resulted in all recipients achieving some level of hearing. Donations can be made to the Calum Geary Trust, c/o Ulster Bank, Pearse Square, Fermoy, Co Cork; or at Ulster Bank, sort code 98 57 25, account number 10516017.