NICE Recommends Cochlear Implants In New Guidance Published Today, UK

Main Category: Hearing / Deafness
Also Included In: Ear, Nose and Throat
Article Date: 30 Jan 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The final NICE guidance regarding cochlear implants has been published today. For those people with severe or profound deafness who do not receive adequate benefit from acoustic hearing aids, NICE has recommended:

- Unilateral cochlear implantation as an option for adults and children
- Simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation for children
- Simultaneous bilateral implants for adults who are blind or have other disabilities that increase their reliance on auditory stimuli as a primary sensory mechanism for spatial awareness

Richard Brook, President of Cochlear Europe said today: "We welcome the NICE guidance, which will ensure that eligible patients have access to cochlear implants.

"Cochlear implants open up a new world of sound to people who otherwise would not hear. Recipients are able to increase their employment opportunities, enjoy a richer social life, children are more likely to attain age-appropriate speech and language and attend mainstream schools. Society also benefits through significant reductions in costs relating to the welfare and support that hearing impaired adults without a cochlear implant might require."

There are currently over 7,000 cochlear implant users throughout the UK, with numbers increasing by over 700 each year. Global leader Cochlear Europe manufactures the Nucleus™ Freedom®*, the most advanced, innovative and reliable implant currently available. It uses cutting edge 'intelligent' digital sound technology designed to behave in much the same way as natural hearing, allowing recipients to focus on the sounds that are most important to them.

Cochlear Europe will be providing appropriate packages and initiatives for both unilateral and bilateral implantation to support PCTs in the implementation of the NICE guidance. Cochlear Europe is also committed to ensuring the best use of NHS finances and will discuss appropriate discounts directly with PCTs.

Amanda Whiffin, General Manager of Cochlear UK says: "It's our mission to bring the sounds of life to the ears of those who cannot hear. We in the UK provide the tools to hear and the inspiration to explore the world of sound. Our passion, creativity and innovation is what enables the Nucleus cochlear implant system* to deliver sound to more than 120,000 people across the globe. Cochlear's promise - Hear now. And always - articulates our lifetime commitment."

For more information about cochlear implants and recipients' experiences, see http://www.cochlear.co.uk and http://www.thedeafblog.co.uk.

*The Nucleus® Freedom™ cochlear implant can benefit people who have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears. It differs from traditional hearing aids that simply amplify sound. A cochlear implant bypasses the damaged part of the ear and sends sound directly to the hearing nerve providing a clearer understanding of sound and speech.

Cochlear UK

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