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Opera singer who hid deafness for 30 years hails ‘life-changing’ surgery
TL;DR
Janine Roebuck, a 72-year-old opera singer, underwent double cochlear implant surgery after hiding her deafness for over 30 years. This procedure, now being trialed, could change the lives of many NHS patients.
Key points
- Janine Roebuck is a 72-year-old opera singer from London.
- She underwent double cochlear implant surgery after 30 years of deafness.
- The procedure is being trialed for NHS patients.
- Current guidelines typically allow only one cochlear implant.
- A study is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of two implants.
Mentioned in this story
Janine RoebuckLondonNHSNational Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceNational Institute for Health and Care ResearchAddenbrooke’s hospitalUniversity of Cambridge
An opera singer who hid her deafness for more than 30 years has described “life-changing” surgery that has the potential to become the norm for thousands of NHS patients.
Janine Roebuck, 72, from London, had double cochlear implants fitted to restore her hearing, a method now being trialled nationwide to see whether it can transform the lives of thousands more people.
Under current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), the vast majority of deaf adults are only eligible for one cochlear implant.
This is based on analysis suggesting that offering two is not cost effective for the NHS and a lack of evidence in the area.
To address this, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which receives government funding, is backing a study into two implants for adults, led by Addenbrooke’s hospital and the University of Cambridge.
Roebuck suffers from the inherited condition sensorineural hearing loss, which accounts for about 70% of all cases of genetic hearing loss.
The condition has been carried down through generations of her family.
In 2019, she underwent cochlear implant surgery on the NHS for one ear, as per the guidelines, but decided to pay to have the other ear done at the same time.
For more than 30 years, she had hid her deteriorating hearing, despite being a mezzo-soprano, performing in operas, operettas and musicals, including at the Royal Opera House in London. She has now retired.
She said having the surgery was “the best thing I’ve ever done in my life”, adding: “Having two implants is light years away from just one.
“Sound quality is so much better, sounds are fuller, clearer, louder and more natural.
“It’s much easier to tell where sounds are coming from, especially in busy spaces.
“If you’re out in public, it can be hard to follow who is speaking, making joining in with conversations almost impossible.
“As a result, you have debilitating concentration fatigue at the end of every day.”
She described how the surgery has dramatically improved her life, adding: “With bilateral implants, I no longer consider myself to be deaf. They have been utterly life-changing and, for me, have broken a generational curse.
Q&A
What are cochlear implants and how do they work?
Cochlear implants are electronic devices that bypass damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing individuals with severe hearing loss to perceive sound.
Why are double cochlear implants significant for NHS patients?
Double cochlear implants are significant because they may provide better hearing outcomes for patients, yet current NHS guidelines typically only allow for one implant due to cost-effectiveness concerns.
What is the current eligibility criteria for cochlear implants in the UK?
Currently, most deaf adults in the UK are only eligible for one cochlear implant based on guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
What study is being conducted regarding double cochlear implants?
The National Institute for Health and Care Research is backing a study led by Addenbrooke’s hospital and the University of Cambridge to investigate the effectiveness of double cochlear implants for adults.
