News

Husband & wife received Cochlear Implant on the same day at Westmead Private Hospital

Mar 24, 2014

For Tim and Natalie Nobes to hear the words "I love you" for the first time, will soon be a reality after 21 years of marriage. On 19th February A/Prof Melville DaCruz, ENT Surgeon at Westmead Private Hospital will perform cochlear implant surgery on the couple, the first time he will have undertaken the operation on a married couple on the same day.

For Tim, 44 who was born prematurely and is profoundly deaf and Natalie, 44 who is profoundly deaf from Rubella the decision to have the implants has been a long time coming. Some 5 years ago Natalie's mother gave them some information on cochlear implants, but it wasn't until recently when they saw the successes from friends and the advancement in technology that they have decided to undertake the procedure together.

With the recent release of the MED-EL RONDO® system, which combines the traditional audio processor components such as the coil, control unit and battery pack into one single unit, and making it the world's first single-unit processor for cochlear implants, the Nobes thought it was time for action. The RONDO® is a breakthrough in hearing implant technology being a compact all-in-one unit and can therefore be worn discretely under the hair.

For Tim and Natalie's three children Laura (18), Ryan (17) and Emily (12) it means that the dinner time conversation will be whole lot better when the implants are switched on approximately 3-4 weeks after the implant surgery.

Tim Daniel, CEO of Westmead Private Hospital said, "It's an absolute privilege for us to play our part in this truly remarkable surgery and is just another great example of the outstanding medical intervention which is being performed at Westmead Private Hospital".