Having retired early at the age of 59, I had become involved with charity work for a number of local organizations. This involved both mental and physical pursuits, The latter was, in the main, as a treasurer. This ,coupled with recreational hobbies and family outings made quite a busy life.

In October 1992, I started what I thought was a severe attack of influenza. My doctor admitted me to hospital with meningitis. This proved to be nearly fatal and when I responded to treatment, it was to find that I was totally deaf. Also, as is so often the case, I had completely lost any sense of balance. When I was allowed home, both the NHS and Social Services were excellent in their assistance and help over a very difficult period.

I was provided with a minicom for telephone communication and the hearing therapist for the area visited me on a weekly basis for lipreading tuition. Unfortunately, this was a stumbling block as I proved to be an exceptionally poor learner. In the September I also joined a local Adult Education course for lipreading. Even combining these two, I still did not make much headway.

There were, however, one or two bright spots. After a medical I was allowed to drive again. I was very apprehensive about this and it took a while to pluck up courage and go out on the road. The first time was frightening. No longer could I hear the engine note to change gear, the sound of other traffic and car horns, or even the one occasion when the silencer fell off. Eventually I was able to gain confidence and was able to get about. Then my wife and I decided to go abroad for Xmas, This was worrying, because it was one thing to be disabled in England and another in Majorca.

However, "take heart and have faith" in your travel agent and your airline. Provided you give them all the details of your requirements and enough notice, they really do their best for you, even to the extent that on arrival at Palma airport, I was carried down the steps by two, not so strong, Spaniards. All were most helpful. But still my deafness ruled my life, so much so that rather than make so many mistakes in understanding people, it it became easier to withdraw from making conversation.

During the time of my failure to absorb lipreading, my therapist had been endeavoring to get an appointment to the cochlear implant clinic at the hospital. Although the waiting list for implants was very short, the waiting time for initial appointments was about three months. My first visit there was in January 1994 to see the Consultant.

I was asked my expectations from an implant and how much hearing I anticipated I might get. My reply was that any hearing regained would be worth having done and that I had no preconceived ideas on the subject. I was then told that tests and X-rays were to be carried out and this was arranged for February 1994.

A number of tests were carried out including a C.T.Scan, a residual hearing test, balance test and the insertion of an electrode into my inner ear. This was switched on and for the first time in 18 months I could hear sounds. The Consultant was delighted with the results and was able to offer an implant there and then and decided that I should receive an Ineraid multi-channel implant. I had no hesitation in accepting and arrangements were made for my wife and I to meet a patient who had already had an implant. This we did and we were most impressed. I was also more determined than ever to proceed with the operation. It all now depended on the finance being available at a total cost, including rehabilitation, of £35,000 from my own Health Authority.

But we had no need to worry. Either, because it was the end of one financial year or the beginning of another, I do not know. Suffice to say, within a short space of time, agreement was given and I was admitted for the operation on the 6th. May. There were the usual tests prior to any operation and each person who dealt with me went to great lengths to ensure that I had no queries that went unanswered.

to be continued