Hearing implant charity The Ear Foundation is calling for an expansion in the use of cochlear implants for deaf adults.
In a report released at a recent conference in London last week, the case for more cochlear implantation for adults is laid out citing significant benefits for patients and for the economy.
The report, co-authored by former RNID Director Brian Lamb OBE and Ear Foundation Chief Executive Sue Archibold PHD, calls for a review of the NHS rules surrounding implantation and the use of ‘real-world’ hearing assessments to gauge suitability. Current tests are often carried out in perfect listening conditions giving a misleadingly positive picture of a patients hearing ability.
Other conditions, such as dementia, which are linked to hearing loss also need to be taken into account when making a cost-benefit case for cochlear implantation as well as better education of GPs about its benefits.
Increasingly widespread as a treatment for deafness among profoundly deaf children, cochlear implants are not, according to the report, used enough in adults, and the number of adults who can benefit is much larger than previously thought. Advances in operating techniques have also removed some of the additional risk associated with operating on elderly patients.
Download the full report here: Image of the inside of the cochlear from Cell.com
By Andy Palmer, Deputy Editor
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pennybsl
October 25, 2013
Am aware of a growing number of Deaf friends and peer professionals taking up the ‘offer’ of free CIs especially during significant stages of life like becoming parents / grandparents and enjoying music. Feedback has been mostly positive, mainly due to each adult’s mature perception and appreciation of life around him / her.
However I have real concerns about the lowering profile of good quality hearing aids – I for one have waited years to be allowed top quality FM hearing aids from the private sector, as the NHS (Adult Audiology) admitted the inefficiency of its available (note this: ‘available’) powerful aids for my profound hearing loss.
I was able to hear a great deal during the body aid days. It is important for those of us in the “grey area” of powerful hearing aids and cochlear implants to be allowed the wider options rather than being forced, due to ‘lack of options’ to be CI’d. We also need evidence of long term use to enable more sensible decisions.
All I want is a non-invasive (surgical) approach: – two pairs (I tend to mislay them at home) of beautiful-looking powerful ear-level hearing aids with high quality hypo-allergenic earmoulds, great volume controls, and a session of Speech & Language Therapy – the total cost would be only ONE-FIFTH of cochlear implantation. So do many Deafies.
Gillian Beeby
October 25, 2013
I am a final year Speech & Language Therapy student who is looking at the relationship between age and attitudes towards cochlear implants within the deaf community and would be grateful for participants to fill out my questionnaire https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1O8V23Le7KCa9yOM9u0m5QUB9XuiNqgD5VgTDPjt2HYY/viewform
Many thanks