A woman born with profound hearing loss who could only hear something as loud as a jackhammer is now enjoying hearing birds singing – thanks to a new super power hearing aid.

Victoria Mottram’s life was transformed only five weeks after being referred to the audiology service at Airedale General Hospital, near Steeton.

The 29-year-old, who is originally from Steeton but now lives in Colne, was a patient in Leeds, but her mother, Yvonne Fletcher, of Silsden, wanted her to attend Airedale Hospital so she could been seen closer to home.

Thanks to the work of the hospital in reducing waiting times, Victoria was assessed and fitted with her new hearing aid within five weeks.

Alan Walshaw, senior audiologist at Airedale NHS Trust, said: “Victoria’s hearing only starts at between 100 and 120 decibels. If you think that 90 decibels is shouting level, 100 decibels is a jackhammer right next to you and 120 decibels is the same as having a jumbo jet fly overhead – it gives you an idea of the challenges she faces.

“These new hearing aids make a huge difference to Victoria. She can now tell which side the sound is coming from. Her new digital hearing aid amplifies the sound within the speech spectrum, providing a general balance to sound that her previous analogue aids did not. The new super power hearing aid has meant Victoria has heard some sounds for the very first time, like birds singing.”

Victoria said: “It’s so good. I’m hearing sounds I never got before. The first time I heard birds singing I was like ‘what was that?’”

Victoria left Beckfoot Grammar School in Bingley to attend Doncaster College for the Deaf but returned to Craven College in Skipton and with signing support studied an advanced BTech in IT. She now works in IT in client services at Home Loan management in Skipton.

The wait for a hearing appointment has been cut drastically by staff at Airedale NHS Trust from 60 weeks to less than six, thanks to increased clinic opening hours and identifying how staff and resources can be best used.

Victoria’s mum Yvonne said: “The service has been fantastic. She has been seen so quickly and it has made such a huge difference to her.”

e-mail: claire.lomax @telegraphandargus.co.uk