To meet the criteria for a publicly-funded cochlear implant you must have a severe to profound hearing loss and derive no benefit from hearing aids. Currently, the Government caps the number of adults eligible for a publicly-funded operation. If you meet the criteria for an implant after the assessment, you are placed on a waiting list. This waiting list is fluid and varies due to the demand for limited publicly funded cochlear implants
Below is a guideline to eligibility and the cochlear implant assessment process used in the Northern Cochlear Implant Program.
IF YOU ANSWERED 'YES' TO ONE OR MORE OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO THE PUBLIC COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAMS.
FOR THOSE LIVING NORTH OF TAUPO, PLEASE REFER TO THE NORTHERN COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM, AT THE HEARING HOUSE: WWW.HEARINGHOUSE.CO.NZ
FOR THOSE LIVING SOUTH OF TAUPO, PLEASE REFER TO THE SOUTHERN COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM: WWW.SCIP.CO.NZ
Sounds of Life
A year in the Life
ENT surgeon, Bill Baber walks us through Richard Milne's cochlear implant surgery in this informative and educational video. The idea for the surgical video came from Richard himself. When he was looking into information about cochlear implants and what he might be facing through surgery, he said he couldn't find anything online that was helpful. “I know watching surgery is not everyone's cup of tea, but I would have found it exceptionally helpful. I'm one of those people who like to be fully informed and know exactly what is going to happen. I find it reassuring. Hopefully, this video will be of help to others, who, like me, want to know what's happening, warts and all. For those that are a bit squeamish, it's probably not for them.”
Please note, the below video shows surgical content and viewer discretion is advised.
When funding is available for you to receive your cochlear implant, you will be notified of your surgery date and an appointment will be made for a pre-operative consultation with your ENT surgeon to discuss the surgery and what to expect.
In the Northern Cochlear Implant Program, surgery takes place at Gillies Hospital in Epsom, and you are generally admitted on the morning of your surgery and an overnight stay in expected.
Your switch on may occur 1 day after your surgery with scheduled follow-ups throughout the year. Below is a guideline to what to expect after your surgery.
For a comprehensive overview of the process, please visit:
The Northern Cochlear implant Program here: www.hearinghouse.co.nz
The Southern Cochlear Implant Program here: www.scip.co.nz
