A SUNBURY boy is now able to learn just like his classmates at Killara Primary School - and it's all thanks to modern technology.

Last year Ben Clewer, 7, was the first child in Australia to receive a cochlear implant with the new CI422 electrode.

His parents, Lyall and Susan, admit they were nervous about Ben being a medical trailblazer. But their fears were unfounded as the cochlear implant has been a great success.

Ben's parents first realised there was a problem when he did not start putting more than two words together at the age of two.

They had him tested and found out that Ben had significant hearing loss.

After being fitted with hearing aids for four years, they were referred to the Eye and Ear Hospital's Cochlear Implant Clinic, who told them about cochlear implants.

As Ben still has some residual hearing, the CI422 electrode was recommended.

Ben attended a mainstream kindergarten in Sunbury with the assistance of Taralye, an oral language centre for deaf children in Victoria.

His parents also wanted him to attend a mainstream primary school, but finding the right school close to home was difficult.

Ben's father, Lyall, successfully applied for $10,000 funding from the Sidney Myer Foundation for two "sound-fields" in the classrooms at Killara Primary School. This included the installation of speakers which transmit into Ben's personal FM system.

Continued here:
Implant a huge success for Sunbury boy