19/05/2025
"When my daughter Alana was just 4 years old and about to get her first cochlear implant, there was one thing she was looking forward to most of all... to be able to hear in the water.
A little water baby from the start, she spent most of her swimming lessons underwater, tumbling around and earned the nickname 'the washing machine' from her teacher. However it was tricky learning to swim without her hearing aids.
One of the main reasons we chose Advanced Bionics was for design of their waterproof cases, which we believed would be really safe and secure for all her water activities. Little did we realise at the time that one day she would be competing regularly in Artistic (aka synchronised) swimming competitions which would involve her diving, hanging upside down in the water for extended periods, lifting her teammates in a tower of multiple bodies underwater and oh, having her hair covered in gelatin!
We are so glad we made the decision to go with AB! Her incredible AB cochlear implants and their waterproof cases take multiple trips to the swimming pool each week and give her so much joy in letting her hear her teammates and coaches, and perform in time to the music. They get attached to her bun for competitions, and her goggles for normal training sessions, and the coaches use an FM system so she can hear instructions clearly (well, when sheโs above water!).
Last year, Alana was part of Cheltenham Artistic Swimming Club's 12 and under team who performed and came third at the National Combo Club, following their win the South West regional competition the month before. Later in the year she also came away from Plymouth with medals in both figures and duets.
None of this would be possible without her amazing "ears". We are so grateful to Advanced Bionics for making it all possible. ๐โ
Thank you so much for sharing your story โ what an inspiration Alana! ๐
