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Cochlear Implant Champion Scheme

The Cochlear Implant (CI) Champion scheme is a joint initiative with BAA and BCIG and was launched in 2019. The aim of the scheme is to ensure that all eligible adults and children, and their families, are well-informed about cochlear implants and are offered a timely referral.

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Why do we need the scheme?

​The referral guidelines have widened, benefits demonstrated, and yet those with a CI remain low!

  • ​CI recipientsÌýexperience improvementsÌýcompared withÌýhearing aid only or no treatment, in terms of: speech perception, ±ð»å³Ü³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²¹±ôÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýemploymentÌýopportunities, and quality of life
  • ​CIs have been shown to beÌýcost effective ​
  • However, use of CIs in eligible adults is as low as 5% globally* and predicted to be as low as 7% in the UK​
  • Duration of hearing loss before CI is increasingÌýover time​
  • Low awarenessÌýof CI as a treatment option​
  • ​Low awarenessÌýof CI candidacy criteriaÌý​

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How can the CI Champion Scheme help?

  • ImproveÌýcommunicationÌýbetween referring and implantÌýteams​
  • PromoteÌýshared careÌýbetween teams to ensure patientsÌýhave a smooth and timely transition from HA to CI (if theyÌýwant it).​
  • Audit, to understand training needs and drive changes inÌýclinical practice.Ìý​
  • TrainingÌýfocussing onÌýcandidacy and referral​
  • Peer-supportÌýto help colleagues develop ²¹²Ô»åÌýrevaluateÌýtheir practice.Ìý​
  • A national change,Ìýdriven by referring audiologists. ​

Our aim is to have a CI Champion in every UK Audiology Department, both adult and paediatric, and both NHS and Private. Their local CI Mentor supports the CI Champions in their local CI Centre.

Click on the boxes below to discover more information about the different areas of the scheme.