Nottingham-based charity, The Ear Foundation, celebrates its 20 birthday with a party on Sunday 1 March, 2009.

The first multi-channel implants for children in the UK were funded by The Ear Foundation and carried out here in Nottingham in 1989, with a great deal of support from the local community. From that early beginning, the majority of profoundly deaf children in the UK now have cochlear implants and are able to hear. This has transformed the opportunities for these children, and for the increasing numbers of deaf adult who are choosing to have implants. Many of these children and adults with implants will be coming to Nottingham on Sunday 1 March to join the party at the charity's Lenton Headquarters. The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Gul Nawaz Khan will be there to greet them, as will Colin Wells, star of Hollyoaks.

All are welcome to join the celebration and activities, and to learn more about the work of The Ear Foundation with its international reputation. You can see the technology which makes it all happen!

This is the start of a month of celebrations, with family walks - Hear, Talk and Walk- taking place round the country, and the first ever concert for deaf and hearing people taking place at the Djanogley Centre in the University of Nottingham on 24 March. The amazing opportunities offered by cochlear implants for deaf children and adults will be celebrated throughout the month, culminating in a family weekend at Center Parcs.

Marian Batt, mother of Michael, the boy who received the first implant in 1989, said "The change in 20 years is unbelievable. We all had to fight for implantation to be available and The Ear Foundation funded the operations then. Now the amazing opportunities Michael has are open to all deaf children and their families."

For more information please call Sue Archbold or Jo Collinson on 01159 42 1985. For more information on cochlear implants see our website earfoundation

The Ear Foundation