WHEN Matilda Bartram was just a few days old she failed her first routine hearing test so was fitted with a hearing aid eight months later.

But the early diagnosis and constant support from doctors and nurses has meant the two-year-old has not had any of the speech development problems associated with someone who is partially deaf.

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Dad Richard said staff at Oxford Children's Hospital "changed her life" and has signed up to the Oxford Mail's OX5 Run to say thank you and raise money.

The 45-year-old said: "The fact she was diagnosed so early and the care and support from the hospital staff really has changed her life.

"She will be much more confident now, particularly in using her hearing aid, as she grows up and eventually starts school.

"With her level of hearing she may not have developed her speech as a normal child does - she would have missed out on hearing incidental parts of conversations, and not been as confident.

He added: "But it's incredible how she is doing now."

Doctors diagnosed the tot with bilateral moderate hearing loss - a hereditary condition which meant she couldn't hear at higher frequencies.

Matilda has also been paired with a specialist teacher in child deafness to develop her speech and language skills.

The family, including mum Jillian and four-year-old sister Betsy, are set for more time at the hospital as Matilda will return for three-monthly check ups for the foreseeable future.

Mr Bartram, who ran the OX5 three years ago because his nephew was treated at the children's hospital after going into anaphylactic shock, will be dusting off his running shoes once again later this month.

The father-of-two, who works in publishing, said: "It's a really good opportunity to do something for the hospital and to say thank you for everything they have done for us.

"They were so caring and understanding, they talked us through everything and put us all at ease.

"I haven't run for a long time but I'll make it around and hopefully raise as much money as I can."

The OX5 Run is being sponsored by recruitment firm Allen Associates for the ninth year.

Last year's event saw a record-breaking £115,000 raised, which has already been spent on a sensory room to educate and entertain children in its high dependency unit, equipment to stabilise premature babies and a specialist nurse for children with severe asthma.

People who want to take part can do so by signing up online by going to hospitalcharity.co.uk/ox5run.