Hopes are high after ‘bionic ear’ op

“He turned when he heard the sound of heavy machinery on the streets of Manchester and that was a high for us.”

The emotion in Andrew Geary’s voice spoke volumes last night as he jetted into Cork with his “bionic ear” transplant son, Calum, following a pioneering operation which it’s hoped will transform the child’s life.

However, his father cautioned it may take “at least 12 months” before they know whether the three-and-a-half-year-old will eventually be able to lead some kind of audibly-sensitive normal lifestyle.