SISTERS from Warminster who have both had cochlear implants to help them cope with their deafness spoke at a House of Commons event highlighting the achievements of deaf youngsters.

Topaz Oram, 14, and her sister Sade, 17, of Clay Street, Crockerton, co-hosted the Power of Speech event last Wednesday organised by charity Auditory Verbal UK with an audience of MPs, hearing experts and other VIPs.

The event challenged common perceptions of what deaf children can achieve and showcased the communication skills of deaf children of all ages from across the UK who have learned to listen and speak with the help of specialists at Auditory Verbal UK.

The sisters, who both attend Bruton School for Girls, will also be joining the likes of Usain Bolt, Daniel Radcliffe and Paloma Faith to support the first-ever UK Loud Shirt Day on Friday (June 17), to help more deaf children to listen and talk and get an equal start at school.

Mum Victoria Oram said: “Both Steve and I were incredibly proud and it was quite emotional to see them up on stage.

“When the girls were younger we never thought they would be able to speak so to see them up there leading the session and speaking confidently was fantastic.

“All of the children involved were absolutely brilliant.

“The charity has been absolutely amazing throughout everything and it’s down to them that the girls have been able to achieve this.”

Topaz was diagnosed with hearing loss when she was two months old and received cochlear implants, when she was two years and seven months old.

She likes to play hockey, enjoys riding and is currently studying for her GCSEs including design technology and sport.

Sade was diagnosed with hearing loss when she was two. She received a cochlear implant aged three years two months.

Both girls received support from Auditory Verbal UK before starting school.

A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear to provide a sense of sound to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

A microphone and electronics are usually placed behind the ear which transmit a signal to an array of electrodes placed in the cochlea, which in turn stimulates the cochlear nerve.

To find out more about the charity, visit: www.avuk.org