Cochlear implants

Evidence suggests that cochlear implants can benefit severely to profoundly deaf children and NDCS supports families who have made an informed choice for this option.

NDCS Scotland has campaigned for cochlear implants to be made available for all families who choose this option and whose children will benefit.

Bilateral cochlear implants are on the way for deaf children in Scotland

6 February 2009
Following our lobbying on this issue, the Scottish Government confirms that Scottish severely to profoundly deaf children will be offered bilateral cochlear implants on the NHS.
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28 January 2009
The final NICE guidance on cochlear implants has today been published after the appeal against NICE was rejected. Bilateral cochlear implants will now be offered to all severe to profoundly deaf children in England and Wales who would benefit.
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26 November 2008
An appeal has been lodged against NICE on the report by two specialised commissioning groups for primary care trusts. The appeal hearing took place today in London today. NDCS is following events closely. Subject to the outcome of the appeal, the guidance will then become final.  

2 October 2008
NICE, which decides the treatments the NHS can provide in England and Wales, has published a review of cochlear implants. The review recommends that:

• Unilateral implants (in one ear) and bilateral implants (in both ears) should be offered as an option to all profoundly deaf children.
• Profoundly deaf children who have previously had one implant, and would benefit from having bilateral implants, should have this option available and funded.

26 September 2008

In light of the ongoing discussions in England and Wales on the provision of bialteral cochlear implants on the NHS, NDCS Scotland leads a delegation of parents to the Scotish Parliament to meet with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing to discuss the situation in Scotland. We receive an assurance that if NICE recommends this in England and Wales, deaf children in Scotland will be offered the same access to bialteral cochlear implants.

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• Download NICE's final guidance on cochlear implants.
• NHS Quality Improvement Scotland have endorsed the NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance 166 on Cochlear Implants for Children and Adults with Severe to Profound Deafness. The new policy will be implemented with immediate effect for those people in Scotland who meet the criteria and are currently awaiting implantation. Those who already have one implant will be assessed for a second if they wish one, and if they meet the clinical criteria.
• All severe to profoundly deaf children in Scotland will now be considered as candidates for bilateral cochlear implants.
• NDCS has submitted several papers to NICE as it developed its changing position on cochlear implants. Read our response to NICE's second and most recent consultation document.
  
  NDCS response to second NICE consultation document on cochlear implants (81 kb)
• In May 2008, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness held a meeting on cochlear implants in Westminster. NDCS briefed MPs on the latest position on cochlear implants before the NICE report was published.
  
  NDCS briefing to All Party Parliamentary Group (75 kb)  
• NDCS, working with the Ear Foundation, has commissioned research into young people's views of cochlear implants and parental perspectives on communication approaches.
  
  NDCS/Ear Foundation research into young people's views of cochlear implants (609 kb)
  
  NDCS and the Ear Foundation are also currently researching parents' experiences of the support they receive.  
• Read NDCS's policy on cochlear implants.

• Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that give a sensation of hearing to severely/profoundly deaf children who gain no or very little benefit from conventional hearing aids. 
• Over 2,500 children have now been implanted in the UK . 
• Around 32 children each year need cochlear implantation in Scotland and, from now on, all will be offered bilateral implants.
• Around 250 people in Scotland currently have one cochlear implant and may also be eligible for a second under the new guidance. Each person will be individually assessed to determine whether they meet the clinical criteria.
• Scotland’s National Cochlear Implantation Service is based at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.
• Audio clips of the Health Secretary are available for download at: www.scotland.gov.uk/downloads. 
• NDCS is committed to a whole child approach where education, health, social and personal needs are dealt with together. NDCS believes that cochlear implants are one part of that approach and not an alternative to it.

Our members may find this further information about cochlear implants useful.

We would like to say thank you to all the parents who have told us about the positive difference that cochlear implants have made to their child and family's life, as well as some of the challenges and difficulties they've experienced.

This has helped us present a strong case for action to NICE.

Want to share your own experiences on this subject or let us know what you think? Then get in touch by leaving a comment on this page or by emailing campaigns.scotland@ndcs.org.uk.

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