Our ears not only channel sound into our cochlea and then to the brain so we can understand noise, they also play an important role in allowing us to stand upright – to keep our balance.

Hearing is far more than just hearing a sound. It is the combination of the actual physical hearing, recognising what the sound is, judging the distance, location and direction, deciding whether there is a threat and knowing whether we need to take action or can ignore it.

This is a question which gets asked frequently. It comes about because there’s a fear of having something inserted into our heads and it poses a number of questions.

The Nucleus 6 Cochlear Implant processor has just been released. I currently have excellent sound with my Nucleus 5 Cochlear Implant processors, so why am I going to upgrade for the third time? I asked two people who already use the system to give me their comments.

If it’s not broke don’t fix it!! Surely this is the way of hearing aids and Cochlear Implant processors. So why would we upgrade, often at considerable cost, when what we wear and hear with now is working fine?

Hearing is listening isn’t it? Well not exactly. We can hear and listen at the same time but it is possible to hear and not listen.

I had the privilege of visiting Helen Keller’s childhood home while I was in Alabama in 2013. Her story is one of courage – both from her point of view but also that of her Teacher and family.

Travelling on an aeroplane is fraught with frustration because of the often long time seated in very cramped conditions. Listening to movies is one way to while away the time. But if you can't hear...

Taking tours is a challenge if you can't hear and while my cochlear implants give me back near normal hearing, there are times when it just isn't enough.

These experiences would have all been horrendous for me had I not had my wonderful husband to make all the phone calls and to get it set up so I could plug in or interpret when I didn't hear properly.