A NICE result on cochlear implants!

5 February 2009

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on the use of cochlear implants for children and adults with severe to profound deafness. The recommendations mean that all people who do not receive adequate benefit from acoustic hearing aids will now have the chance to obtain cochlear implants on the NHS.

• Newly diagnosed children who would benefit will be offered simultaneous implants in both ears.
• Children who received an implant in one ear before the guidance was issued will be given the option of having a second implant if clinical assessment suggests they would benefit.
• Adults who have disabilities that mean hearing is their primary sense for spatial awareness will also be offered simultaneous implants in both ears.
• Cochlear implants in one ear will be offered in cases where this is deemed the most beneficial option.

The guidance is a major success for Deafness Research UK and other charities that have campaigned for better access to cochlear implants for deaf people and will put an end to the postcode lottery that previously existed.

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK said:

“Deafness Research UK welcomes the guidance issued by NICE which will make a real difference to the lives of a great many severely and profoundly deaf individuals. It’s extremely important that access to cochlear implants should not depend on where in the UK you live.”

Deafness Research UK provided evidence to NICE of the benefits that cochlear implants can bring. For example, having two implants allows children to work out where sounds are coming from and to listen with whichever ear provides clearer sounds. These advantages may help children to avoid hazards outdoors and to understand what is said in noisy environments at home and school.

Chief Research Adviser to Deafness Research UK, Professor Quentin Summerfield said:

”It is excellent that research supported by Deafness Research UK has helped to inform the policy-making process at NICE. One of the charity’s aims is to support timely research whose results are relevant to policy makers in the health and education services.”

During the year ending March 2007, 243 children and 382 adults in England and Wales were given a cochlear implant in one ear and, UK-wide, 32 children and 11 adults had implants in both ears. The new recommendations mean that almost 400 deaf children born each year in England and Wales will have equal access to the technology.

Deafness Research UK is supporting two studies that are investigating the benefits to children of having cochlear implants in both ears. Dr Margaret Tait at The Ear Foundation is looking at the effect of two implants on the communication skills of young children. At the University of York, Professor Summerfield and Miss Rosemary Lovett are studying the effect of two implants on the abilities of children to locate sounds, to understand speech in noise, and on quality of life. Details of both studies were provided to NICE as part of their consultation process.