Janine Roebuck, a 72-year-old mezzo-soprano from London who concealed her hearing loss for over three decades, has described her double cochlear implant surgery as 'life-changing'. She now says she no longer considers herself deaf.
Roebuck has sensorineural hearing loss, an inherited condition affecting about 70% of genetic hearing loss cases. In 2019, she received one cochlear implant on the NHS but opted to pay for a second implant simultaneously, as current guidelines typically only fund single implants for adults.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) currently recommends only one implant, citing cost-effectiveness. However, a new government-funded trial led by Addenbrooke's Hospital and the University of Cambridge is investigating the benefits of bilateral implants for adults. Over 250 participants across 14 hospitals will be randomly assigned one or two implants to compare outcomes.
ENT surgeon Matthew Smith said the study aims to offer adults the same opportunities as children, who routinely receive bilateral implants. Speech scientist Debi Vickers added that two implants provide 'three-dimensional hearing', reducing social isolation and improving quality of life.
Roebuck, who performed at venues including the Royal Opera House before retiring, said bilateral implants give fuller, clearer sound and help her locate sounds in busy spaces. She described the implants as 'breaking a generational curse' and highlighted the mental health benefits of reconnecting with others.
