SHEFFIELD, UK, February 11, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- Leading charity Deafness Research UK is celebrating a major success after The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 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.
Previously, the provision of cochlear implants for children and adults with severe to profound deafness was a postcode lottery, with great inconsistencies in the provision of implants across the UK. Deafness Research UK and other charities have campaigned for better access to cochlear implants for deaf people for some time.
Thanks to the NICE guidance:
-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.
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 people. It's extremely important that access to cochlear implants should be based on individual need, rather than simply where in the UK you live."
eafness 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.
The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Deafness Research UK
• Deafness Research UK is the country's only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
• The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
• The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222
• For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at http://www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at info@deafnessresearch.org.uk
• One in seven people in the UK - almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
• Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
• In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness Research UK under a uniting direction order under section 96(6) of the Charities Act 1993.
Press enquiries
Jon Gardner, BeyondPR. Mobile 07930 697773. Direct line 0114 275 6996. e-mail: jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk
Ref: DRUK0113 - NICE 2009
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