PATIENTS who have undergone life-changing surgery thanks to a service at Bradford Royal Infirmary have helped celebrate its 25th anniversary.

The Yorkshire Auditory Implant Service, which has carried out cochlear implants on more than 940 people, invited patients to BRI yesterday.

The implant service was established by ear, nose and throat consultant surgeon Professor Chris Raine, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year, after he learned of the benefits that cochlear implants could bring to patients with profound deafness.

The electronic devices are placed inside the inner ear and send a signal to the auditory nerve, giving the patient the sensation of sound.

“Reaching this milestone is an amazing achievement for all of the team and for our patients who now come from across the whole of the North of England and as far away as the Isle of Man,” said Prof Raine.

Head of service Jane Martin said the open event had gone extremely well with around 140 people attending.

“We are currently assessing patients aged from two months to 92 years, so age is really no barrier when it comes to receiving a cochlear implant which goes to show just how far the service has progressed," she said.