Opera singer Janine Roebuck, who concealed her profound deafness for more than three decades, has described double cochlear implant surgery as "life-changing." The 72-year-old performer struggled in silence, hiding her hearing loss from colleagues and audiences, until she received her first implant on the NHS and privately funded a second.
Breakthrough surgery transforms life
Ms Roebuck said the bilateral implants have dramatically improved her quality of life. "The difference is extraordinary. With one implant, sound was flat and directionless. With two, I can hear music in full stereo, locate where sounds come from, and follow conversations in noisy environments. I no longer feel isolated," she explained.
Her story comes as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) launches a major government-funded study into double cochlear implants for adults. Current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines typically restrict deaf adults to a single implant, citing cost-effectiveness and insufficient evidence for bilateral provision.
Nationwide trial aims to change guidelines
The new trial, involving more than 250 participants across 14 NHS hospitals, will assess the benefits of double implants. Researchers hope the results will persuade Nice to revise its guidance, potentially transforming care for thousands of adults with severe hearing loss.
Ms Roebuck added: "I had to pay for my second implant myself. Many people cannot afford that. This trial could prove that bilateral implants are not a luxury but a necessity for many." Charities supporting deaf people have welcomed the study, emphasising that improved hearing reduces social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline.
The trial is expected to report findings within three years. If successful, it could lead to a permanent change in NHS policy, offering hope to countless individuals who have struggled with hearing loss in silence.
