The Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme (NAIP) has announced the retirement of Professor Gerard O’Donoghue, Consultant Neuro-Otologist at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham. A pioneer in the field of hearing restoration, Gerry’s career has been defined by his groundbreaking work in cochlear implantation.
After qualifying from University College Cork, Gerry trained in London, Oxford, Boston and San Francisco before founding the Nottingham Cochlear Implant Programme in 1989 – then the UK’s first dedicated paediatric service. His vision and dedication were instrumental in shaping NAIP into the world-class centre of excellence it is today. He also established The Ear Foundation, which supported countless children and adults with hearing loss.
Gerry's retirement party
Among his many achievements, Gerry co-founded the Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Centre, delivered the Toynbee Memorial Lecture, and received accolades including a Hunterian Professorship and the Sir William Wilde Medal. His passion for global hearing health has led to international collaborations, advocacy through the Lancet Commission on Global Hearing Loss, and work across Serbia and South Asia. He continues to be a leading advocate for hearing restoration, with ongoing research into stem cell therapies.
Gerry with colleagues at Current Trends in Implantation Otology, Dublin, Sept 2023.
Gerry’s vision, contributions to research, education, and service development have left an enduring legacy not only at NAIP but across the global hearing implant community.
We will feature an interview with Gerry O Donoghue in the next issue of ENT & Audiology News.
