Funding increase for Cochlear Implants celebrated

Hearing Heroes celebrate the Minister of Health's funding increase for Cochlear Implants

Dear Sir,

2013 is being celebrated by a group of Hearing heroes who championed the case for increased funding for cochlear implants so more deaf New Zealanders could hear.

Yesterday the Minister of Health announced that a further $2.6 million for severely and profoundly impaired New Zealanders on the waiting list to receive cochlear implants.

As usual, very little press coverage has been given to this, despite the fact that 1 in 6 New Zealanders have some hearing loss. Somehow it seems not newsworthy.

Yet for so many a silent world is a lonely and isolating one that needs a voice.

Fortunately the Government now understands the difference a cochlear implant can make to a severely hearing impaired person, as did the 8,000 people from all over New Zealand who signed our petition last year.

Could I through your news media, thank these people very, very sincerely for their support. Without their help we may not have been able to convince the Government of our need and so many more of us would still be languishing depressed and isolated at home instead of enjoying the quality of life that a cochlear implant gives.

Having a cochlear implant has certainly given me my life back and I am have witnessed the positive effect that having an implant has, on many many others.

Yours sincerely,

Lyn Polwart

Chairperson Cochlear Implant Consumers Group

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