(Belinda and Nikki - Photos Rick) Belinda Van der Monde gave a passionate speech about the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme which was established in 2003 and has offices in Wellington and Christchurch.
They are dedicated to helping children and adults with profound hearing loss, who gain minimal or no benefit from conventional hearing aids, and aim to improve their hearing and spoken communication through the use of a cochlear implant or implants.
It was very clear the benefits of a cochlear implant are life-changing; it connects or re-connects people with their families, school, work and the wider community. Their team of specialists support the full spectrum of the cochlear implant journey, from initial assessment through to post-surgery rehabilitation.
The presentation was handed over to Nikki Cleine who is a Rehabilitationist and took a twist when we were informed that in fact, she is a patient. With a young family of three in her 30’s she noticed her hearing was deteriorating to the point she could not hear her crying baby and socially found communicating almost impossible. She hated seeing everyone laughing when she had missed a joke. Something we take for granted.
She then qualified for one Cochlear implant. Several years later she personally funded her second implant.
Interestingly most patients are born with hearing. After the implants it can take up to 18months to get the best results. But sometimes the “Switch on” can produce instant results! There can be some updates to the microchip which is inside your head. It is incredible technology. The average age is late 60’s.
There is a high demand for their services and currently a wait list of nearly one hundred. The costs are, hospital cost, $18-20K, device, $17 – 29K and ongoing costs are between $7-10K every 6-7 years.
They welcome bequests given the challenges with funding and wanting to make it available to as many people as possible.
