Rap star asks for prison release

The rapper had the implant fitted in January 2006

Rapper Foxy Brown has asked a New York judge for an early prison release to treat an ear condition she fears could threaten her hearing.

The 29-year-old, whose real name is Inga Marchand, claims she needs to see a doctor in California to repair a defective electronic ear implant.

But the judge wanted medical proof of Ms Marchand's claim that deafness looms unless she receives treatment.

The performer is serving a year in jail for violating her probation terms.

Ms Marchand revealed her hearing problems during a court appearance in 2004.

She underwent surgery to have the cochlear implant fitted in her right ear to reverse "profound hearing loss" in January 2006.

'Serious harm'

The rapper says her condition is worsening in jail and her hearing faces serious harm unless she has the implant reprogrammed and repaired.

But the only doctor who has successfully treated her is based in California, Ms Marchand's lawyer said.

Assistant district attorney Cindy Chung objected, saying the rapper had offered nothing to show the medical procedure could not be done in New York.

She also opposed the request to amend Ms Marchand's sentence.

"The mere existence of a debilitating health condition does not merit a sentence reduction, even if it is a terminal illness. This is a desperate and frivolous petition," Ms Chung said.

The judge ordered the rapper's lawyer to hand over Ms Marchand's medical records to the authorities.