Calum’s ABI – Bionic Ear

Welcome to Calum’s ABI website. Calum, is a half twin. His twin brother is Donnacha. Even though not identical, most friends and family find it hard to tell them a part until one talks. You see we found out Calum is deaf in January 2011 and in June 2011 we discovered he has no hearing nerves or balance nerves.Therefore, he has never heard a single sound, a jumbo jet could be taking off inches away and he would not hear anything. We then began to research Auditory Brainstem Implants, this is because hearing aids and cochlear implants are of no benefit whatsoever to Calum. We are all learning sign language.This is a device to enable Calum to have environmental sound first and hopefully with a little help lip reading and some day speech. The window for acquiring speech is closing fast however. Calum will be the 1st child from Ireland with his condition to undergo surgery for ABI. The surgery will take place at Manchester University Hospital.Therefore we are fundraising to help support his post surgery costs, speech therapy both here and aboard over the next 5 years. Please access this website for more info about ABI’s and ways to support Calum.