NDCS helps achieve milestone victory on cochlear implants

Cochlear implant funding for deaf children has for some families been a bit of a postcode lottery with some children offered one implant, some two and some being forced to wait until the next financial year before surgery. On 1st September the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued a technology appraisal ‘Cochlear implants for severe to profound deafness in children and adults’.

NDCS are delighted that the recommendations, which will apply to the NHS in England and Wales, include the option of bilateral cochlear implantation for those children who fulfil the criteria and whose family have taken  the opportunity to make this informed decision. Additionally, NICE have said that children who have previously had one implant but would now be offered bilateral implantation under the new guidance and fulfil the assessment criteria, should also have the opportunity to have second implant performed sequentially if this is what the child and family want. 

Throughout the 2 year NICE appraisal process, NDCS has provided evidence from our membership of their own views of cochlear implantation and the difference they make to the child’s and family’s life. NDCS also worked closely with a group of other charities (RNID, The Ear Foundation, NCIUA, CICS and LINK) to ensure that our joint voices were strong and consistent.  Professional bodies took a similar approach. In doing so we believe we have all achieved a very positive result for families of deaf children for whom cochlear implantation is one option.  

The NHS in England and Wales now has 3 months in which to comply with the guidance and NDCS will be keeping a close eye on events.

Background

NDCS is committed to a whole child approach where education, health, social and personal needs are dealt with together. Cochlear implants are one part of that approach, and not an alternative to it. Families in which a deaf child gains no benefit from a conventional hearing aid need to be provided with clear, unbiased and factual information to allow them to make an informed choice over the appropriateness of cochlear implantation for their child. Deaf children and their families should receive high quality support that allows the child to fulfil their potential, whatever decision is made.

You can find out more about this issue here.

You can view the full NICE guidance and associated papers here.

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