But one will give him the chance to hear his parents' voices as they read him stories, sing nursery rhymes and call his name.

Queanbeyan couple Megan and Terry were ecstatic when their first child arrived seven months ago tomorrow.

It turned into a nightmare when their four-month-old son developed meningococcal meningitis a bacterial infection that can cause swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal chord.

James spent two days in Canberra Hospital before he was moved to Sydney Children's Hospital.

''He had it really bad. They couldn't really tell us in the beginning if he was going to live. He's had 12 operations in the 11 weeks,'' Mrs Rankin said.

James had several operations to relieve fluid from his brain and three surgeries on his eyes.

''He was just fantastic. Whatever they put in, he hardly cried,'' she said.

''It was during James's recovery from the previous, but life-saving operations and medical treatments, that we noticed James wasn't responding to sounds and voices and we were aware hearing loss could be a result of meningitis.

''We were devastated when we were given the results that James was profoundly deaf but were relieved after speaking with Dr [Phil] Chang who informed us that something could be done, and that the surgery was still possible but had to be done immediately because the cochlear was beginning to scar.''

Dr Chang, the founding surgeon of The Shepherd Centres First Sounds Cochlear Implant Program, recommended cochlear implants in both ears.

''James had a brain shunt to minimise the swelling in his brain,'' Dr Chang said.

''It was inserted in his right side in the precise place we would usually insert the cochlear implant. I was assisted by a paediatric neurosurgeon and worked collaboratively to ensure we had room to insert the implant.''

The operation was successful and the first-time parents brought their son home about a week ago.

The cochlear implants will be switched on in about three weeks.

''They're going to start turning them on really slow and it will probably take about three months before they're fully turned on. I'm just excited to see his first reaction when he hears his name.''

The Rankins have shared their experience to coincide with Hearing Awareness Week. ''We're really lucky. We're really lucky to even be bringing him home,'' she said.