THE family of a deaf toddler were told the NHS would pay for an operation to help her hear - but only in one ear.

Alia and Nazir Kashif have been informed they must fork out é10,000 for a second cochlear implant to be fitted to 15-month-old daughter Aminah privately.

But they fear a delay could severely affect her development, including learning to talk and her education and social skills.

Specialists at Manchester Royal Infirmary told Alia the treatment - in both ears - would benefit Aminah, who is profoundly deaf and wears two hearing aids. Manchester Primary Care Trust, who foot the bill, say national guidelines are for only one implant to be fitted by the NHS - and the trust was only asked to pay for one by doctors at the MRI. But the M.E.N. understands that, although it is common practice for trusts to pay for just one implant, the government's health watchdog NICE has yet to make a ruling.

The small devices mimic damaged cochlear cells by picking up sound and sending electric signals up the hearing nerve to the brain.

While they cannot cure deafness, implants do create the sensation of hearing. About 250 children are fitted with them every year - and to get the full benefit they must get them as young as possible.

Mum Alia condemned the policy to fit only one implant and was backed by the boss of a deaf charity who said fitting just one could impair a child's development.

Alia said: "It is proven that two implants are better than one for children like Aminah. People would be outraged if an optician said someone needed glasses but could only have one lens.

"Having one implant only would hold Aminah back - her sense of direction would be poor and she would find language more difficult. It just doesn't seem right.

Individual

"We were told by a specialist that Aminah would benefit from having implants fitted to both ears, rather than just one."

Susan Daniels, chief executive at the National Deaf Children's Society, said: "Every child is different, and their needs should be judged on an individual basis. If consultants say a deaf child would benefit from bilateral implants, we believe they should both be available on the NHS. With the introduction of newborn hearing screening in England earlier this year, hearing loss in children is now being identified immediately."

Peter Vinden, a trustee of the Ear Foundation who has two deaf children, said: "There is pressure growing on health authorities to provide cochlear implants for two ears as young as possible so they have the best possible chance in life. The real benefit of two implants over one is that it gives the child spatial awareness."

The Kashifs, of Levenshulme, are now anxiously trying to find the money before the scheduled operation day in April and have raised the issue with their MP, Gerald Kaufman. Alia, 30, is unable to work through ill health, while Nazir is a forklift truck driver. They have two other children aged under eight.

A spokesman for Manchester Primary Care Trust said: "At the request of Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester PCT agreed to fund a cochlear implant procedure for this patient and we understand the operation is due to take place this spring. The hospital did not contact the PCT to request funding for two implants for this patient, because it is national NHS policy to fund only one in most cases.

"Cochlear implants are expensive procedures and it is a better use of NHS resources if two individuals receive one implant each (so they will each achieve an adequate degree of hearing) rather than one person receiving two implants.

"If a hospital considered there were exceptional circumstances and that a particular individual should be considered for a second cochlear implant, they would then approach the patient's PCT with a request for funding."

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is due to rule on the use of cochlear implants in May next year.

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