Landmark surgery will be music to Gerald's ears

But within a short time he and his wife Ann realised that he had been plunged into a silent world.

His hearing loss happened two years ago and, since then, Mr Hall has been profoundly deaf.

"He loves comedy and music but cannot hear a thing now. It's very frustrating for him," said Mrs Hall.

A recent cruise to celebrate his 60th birthday was spoilt by his inability to enjoy entertainment or join in with conversation.

But today, the grandfather's world is due to change when he becomes the 200th person in the region to have a cochlear implant fitted.

The sophisticated electronic device stimulates the auditory nerve and transmits nerve impulses to the brain, where they are understood as sounds.

"We can't wait for Gerald to hear again," said his wife at their home in Trimdon Grange, County Durham.

Since the regional cochlear implant service was set up in 1990, at what is now the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, scores of deaf people have been given the chance to hear again.

Ear, nose and throat surgeon Maurice Hawthorne, lead clinician for the regional centre, said: "Cochlear implants are still relatively unusual and they're only suitable for people who are profoundly deaf or have such severe hearing loss that hearing aids do not help them.

"Implanting the device takes about two hours. After the patient has recovered, the cochlear implant team get to work with the patient, switching on the device and teaching the patient how to make sense of what they can hear.

"This usually happens a few weeks after the operation and continues until the patient and team are happy with the results."

In Mr Hall's case, Mr Hawthorne expects this to be easier because he had some hearing up until a couple of years ago.

The 100th patient to receive an implant was Jack Andrews, from Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, who was two at the time. Jack is now eight and doing well.

"It's made a huge difference to his life," his mother, Julie, said.