Arlo was found to have bilateral sensory neural hearing loss in both ears after she was born prematurely on December 27, 2016.

She had already spent seven weeks in hospital before the SWISH hearing test showed potential hearing loss, mum Lauren Gleeson said.

"It was quite jaw-dropping and we felt deflated for Arlo. After seven weeks in hospital we were going home and they did the hearing test but found there were problems," Mrs Gleeson said.

Arlo was determined to be eligible for a cochlear implant and underwent surgery in Newcastle to install a small electronic device to stimulate the cochlear nerve.

After two weeks in recovery from the surgery, she had her implants turned on at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) centre in Port Macquarie.

"They did warn us that turning on the implants is not like what you'd see in movies or on Facebook. Hearing is new and frightening initially," Mrs Gleeson said.

"It was eye-widening and when we first put her hearing aids in, she screamed. They start the sound very low and it just takes time with minor increases.

"Since then it's been life changing for her and there's nothing that she doesn't hear anymore. She is starting to understand that hearing is something she needs for speech and development. She has been more openly talking about it too."

Port Macquarie Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children has conducted 86 cochlear implant surgeries in partnership with the Port Macquarie Base Hospital since August 2016.

RIDBC chief executive Chris Rehn said they are edging closer to a 100 implant milestone.

"We were sure we'd reach the 100 cochlear implant milestone this year, but this has been a year like no other with COVID-19. We can look forward to reaching the milestone in 2021," he said.

"Undoubtedly, 2020 did not turn out to be the year we expected, and COVID-19 changed the way RIDBC delivered services, worked and connected with our many supporters. But I'm so proud of the way our people pulled together to support those who need us.

"As we advance the 160 years of RIDBC experience, we're looking to the future and another 160 years of life-changing moments, breakthrough research and innovation."

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