Calum comes back to Ireland a hero

It was a right hooley in Ballyhooly as the country’s first “bionic ear” patient returned home armed with an award for bravery.

Calum Geary was greeted by scores of well-wishers as he arrived to his home in the Co Cork village — just days after undergoing the pioneering treatment at Manchester University Hospital.

The three-year-old, who was born deaf, had missing nerve implants inserted in his brain and these were attached to a box in his ear which will pick up sounds.

The operation lasted seven hours and Calum will have to return to the hospital within the next six weeks to have the system switched on.

His mother, Helen, said it was lovely to be home a week earlier than expected — a result of the operation going so smoothly.

“We’re just going to enjoy this break and get him recuperated. This [the operation] was the scariest part,” said Helen.

Calum Geary at home in Ballyhooly, North Cork

Unexpectedly when he was in hospital, Stuart Barton, the divisional commander of Greater Manchester Police, sent senior officers to present the little boy with a certificate of bravery, which he proudly showed off to friends yesterday.

“They also gave him a model police car and a policeman’s hat which he was playing with.

“Calum’s twin brother Donnacha travelled with us and he was a huge help with his recovery, playing with him all the time, as were the staff,” said his father, Andrew.

Helen praised the hospital staff and all who had prayed for Calum. She also thanked people the length and breadth of the country who had fundraised on his behalf for what is likely to be very expensive aftercare, including a trip to a US clinic where he will learn to interpret sounds.

Calum and his twin brother were reunited with their older brothers Barry, 8, and Matthew, 6, who had been looked after by Helen’s mother, Eilish.

Dozens of friends and neighbours arrived at the house in the evening bringing cakes and sandwiches for a big party to welcome the youngster home.

Simon Freeman, the consultant who carried out the operation said he was “very hopeful” Calum will start hearing after they switch on the 21 implanted electrodes which connect his brain to the box in his ear.

However, he warned that such implants were unpredictable and Calum may still need to learn sign language and lip reading as backups.