Fiona, 60, was the first patient at The James Cook University Hospital to receive a transcutaneous bone conduction implant (BCI) – and she says it has changed her life.
The Hartlepool grandmother has suffered with severe hearing loss for 13 years after reoccurring infections caused damage to both of her ears.
“Until you lose something you don’t realise how precious something is,” said Fiona, who has some hearing in her right ear, but very poor hearing in her left ear.
“Losing my hearing had a big impact on me. I lost confidence, felt I couldn’t contribute when in group situations, as I couldn’t hear people properly, and was constantly saying ‘I’m sorry can you please repeat that’, time after time, or mishearing words which was awful.”
Fiona, who now works as an assessor and internal verifier for a local training provider, says she often felt like an outsider and did not want to socialise. She also had to give up working in classroom situations as she could not hear the groups of students properly.
Fiona tried traditional hearing aids but the sound quality was not great. Then in 2016 she met ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon Anirvan Banerjee who explained that her left ear was so damaged it needed surgery to replace the ear drum.
She underwent ear surgery in 2017, 2018 and 2023 but continued to have issues with infections from her hearing aids. Further surgery saw her have a bone anchored hearing aid fitted in 2024 which produced promising results, but her body rejected it shortly afterwards leaving her devastated.
Sentio Ti Implant
After much discussion the James Cook team decided Fiona was a good candidate to try a new transcutaneous device – the Sentio Ti Implant. Fiona knew she had to give it a go and Mr Banerjee carried out the surgery at the Middlesbrough hospital in August 2025.
“Family and friends told me that they thought I was mad to want to put myself through a further surgery, but I felt like this was my last hope at getting some hearing back,” said Fiona.
“I was only in hospital for half a day; the surgery went smoothly and my recovery was quick with no side effects or complications.”
Absolutely priceless
Fiona said it was such an emotional moment when the sound processor was switched on for the first time:
“They asked ‘can you hear me’ and I got tearful and said ‘I can hear you’. I was overwhelmed with joy and felt quite emotional as I could hear clearly.
“I was amazed when I was driving back to my home when a song came on the radio that I recognised from years ago – I heard different riffs and bars in the music which I had never heard before.
“When walking outside it was wonderful when I heard all different bird songs.
“I don’t have to have subtitles on the television, or the TV volume turned up high.
“And to be able to hear my granddaughters talking to me, without me second guessing as to what they have said, is absolutely priceless.
“I feel very fortunate, honoured and privileged to have been the first patient to have had this successful surgery at The James Cook University Hospital. It’s changed my life.”
Reconnecting people
Mr Banerjee said: “Fiona has lived with hearing loss for many years, and seeing her hear clearly again — and the emotion that came with that moment — was incredibly moving. Helping her reconnect with her family, her confidence and the world around her is a powerful reminder of why this work matters so much.”
Fiona added: “My heartfelt thanks go to Mr Banerjee and audiologist Lisa Kennedy. I am forever grateful for their care, dedication and support in helping me to hear again.”
