Nurse educator breaks the sound barrier

Originally from Sydney, The Alfred Intensive Care Nurse, Clinical Educator and University Lecturer considers himself an over-achiever, but says he owes much of his success to overcoming the challenges of hearing loss to early intervention, the support of his family and friends, his peers and determination to succeed.

At the age of three, Anthony was diagnosed with congenital seneorineural hearing impairment as a result of Mondini Syndrome - a malformation of the cochlear in the inner ear. He was fitted with hearing aids but by the age of 16 his hearing deteriorated.

His world plunged into silence and life was suddenly very different. As a result, Anthony was referred to the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre. Following a six month period of extensive evaluation, Anthony received the ultimate Christmas present - the gift of sound.

Anthony was among the first group of adolescents in Australia to receive the Bionic Ear - a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.

He recalls it was no easy task coming to terms with hearing for the first time.

"It was isolating at times," he said.

"There's a difference between hearing and listening. To listen I had to concentrate hard and lip-read all day. It was exhausting.

"When you lose a sense, you sometimes see the world through different lenses and appreciate what others take for granted," Anthony said.

Despite the difficulties he completed mainstream schooling and joined St John Ambulance providing volunteer first aid at large community events. He also volunteered at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and during the Victorian Black Saturday Bushfires where he helped care for injured fire fighters.

Anthony decided on a nursing career after he witnessed medical staff save the life of a young child (code blue) while he was recovering from his implant operation.

He was awarded the Graeme Clark Scholarship, established to help recipients of Cochlear implants to undertake university studies, allowing Anthony to complete a Masters of Nursing at the University of Sydney where he graduated with first class honours and remains an advocate for the Cochlear Implant Centre in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Anthony also praises Cochlear Implant inventor Professor Graeme Clark, "He's done such a remarkable thing to be able to offer people a second chance. I wouldn't have been able to pursue my career if it weren't for his vision to break the silence of so many worlds. Losing a sense, only have it bought back, is a priceless gift".