Parents of bionic ear toddler ‘elated but exhausted’ after successful op

The parents of the first deaf Irish toddler to get a pioneering ‘bionic ear’ implant described themselves as “elated and exhausted” last night after surgeons told them the seven-hour operation “couldn’t have gone better”.

Calum Geary, 3, from Ballyhooly, Co Cork, went into the operating theatre at Manchester University Hospital at 9am yesterday. He emerged at 4pm after surgeons, led by Professor Richard Ramsden, consultant Simon Freeman and Meath-born ear, nose, and throat specialist Fergal Quinn, completed the task.

“The surgeons were very happy with the operation. It was a major relief to us. There were surgeons from all over Europe present as observers,” said Calum’s father, Andrew.