The Scottish Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) team welcomed 130 medical professionals from across Scotland to increase awareness of the cochlear implant programme and to examine new ways to improve access to cochlear implantation for everyone in Scotland.
Based at University Hospital Crosshouse, the national Scottish Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) is the only service in Scotland where patients can receive cochlear implantation. The team deliver cochlear implant assessment, to both adults and children and support more than 1,600 patients who have already received a cochlear implant.
A cochlear implant is an electronic device which is inserted into a patient’s inner ear, or cochlea, and provides the sensation of hearing to people who have severe to profound hearing loss.
Instead of making sounds louder like a hearing aid, it gives electrical stimulation to replace the function of the damaged inner ear and stimulates the hearing nerve.
Jane Gallacher, Head of Service said, “Cochlear implants can be life changing for the recipients. They can allow people to hear speech clearly and regain their confidence in social situations. For children with severe to profound hearing loss, it can allow them to listen and learn to speak.
“The Scottish Cochlear Implant Team here at Crosshouse are working with Health Boards in Scotland to find new ways of improving patient access to cochlear implantation. This event helped us to increase the awareness of this life changing intervention and examine ways to give patients the very best service possible – no matter where they live in Scotland.
“I want to thank each of the medical professionals who took the time to come along to learn more about the Scottish Cochlear Implant Programme.”
For more information visit www.sciponline.co.uk.