Barrhead schoolboy fitted with 'life-changing' device

Lewis Williamson, who was born with a deformed right ear with no ear canal, has conductive deafness on one side.

The rare condition is known as Microtia and the seven-year-old has been waiting to receive a piece of technology, described as "game-changing".

Last month he was finally fitted with the new Cochlear Osia system, which is a magnetic implant placed under the skin and hearing aid processor fixed above the skin with a corresponding magnet.

Dad Colin, mum Claire, sister Aimee and Lewis (Image: Supplied)

Mum Claire told the Barrhead News: “We have been waiting three years for this operation due to funding and then everything happened quite quickly in July.

“It’s called a BAHA bone-anchored hearing aid. It’s basically a magnet under the skin, drilled into place. It works by bone conduction.

“It's the upgraded version of the BAHA and it's just more flush to the skin.

“As you can imagine this operation will be life changing for him.

“It’s not the first BAHA surgery at Glasgow’s children’s hospital, but he’s the first child to get the Osia magnet implant there.”

Lewis' passion is football and he dreams of playing for Celtic one day (Image: Supplied)

The new type of device allows better transfer of sound and because the implant is under the skin, there is no need for regular cleaning and there is no risk of infection around the implant site.

With a lower profile to the head, the Osia is also more aesthetically appealing to most patients.

Claire, who works at the RHCG, says Lewis was excited and a bit nervous to have the surgery, but fortunately she was able to use her expertise to put him at ease ahead of the two-and-a-half hour operation.

Colin, Lewis, Aimee and Claire (Image: Supplied)

“I’m a theatre nurse in the children’s hospital,” explained the 40-year-old.

“I don't do ENT (ear, nose and throat), but I knew his surgeons and everybody.

“For me it was like being on the other side of the fence because obviously I’m so used to doing my job, but when it is your child and you take them into the anaesthetic room and you're leaving them it's scary.

"He was just so brave."

Lewis plays for Barrhead Youth Football Club (Image: Supplied)

Fortunately, once the anaesthetic started to wear off and Lewis started to eat and drink again, the youngster was able to go home on the same day as the surgery on July 15.

Several weeks on, his scar has now healed, he is doing well and the soon-to-primary three pupil is excitedly waiting for the device to be switched on.

The football mad youngster, who dreams of playing for Celtic one day, is also already back training with Barrhead Youth Football Club (BYFC) and has been back at his football camp.

Colin, Aimee, Lewis and Claire (Image: Supplied)

“He’s just had the implant at the moment and at the end of the month that is when the hearing aid device will be clicked onto the magnet and then that's when he'll have bilateral hearing,” explained Claire who is married to husband Colin and also mum to Aimee, 12.

“He's really excited because he's a massive football fan.

"It’s his passion so it will make a big difference when he’s playing to be able to hear from both sides.

“BYFC have been absolutely amazing with him and they don’t treat him any differently.

"The coaches are fantastic. He absolutely loves it.

“It will make a big difference for him at school as well.

“He goes to Cross Arthurlie Primary and all of his class have been amazing.

"They all know that he's had his operation and they're all supporting him. It's been a big deal.”

Claire tackled the Paisley 10k in 2019 to raise funds for Microtia UK (Image: Supplied)

By sharing Lewis’ story, Claire, who has fundraised in the past for Microtia UK by tackling the Paisley 10k, hopes to raise awareness of the new device and the condition.

“I just want to say that it does work and if any other children are at this stage where they need to get an implant then they should go for it and not be scared.”

To find out more about Microtia, click HERE.