Where to go for Cochlear Implants?

[sassafrassj]

My niece was a 28 week old preemie who got quite horrendous care in Ukraine where she was born. They have just, at 16 months, discovered that she has profound hearing loss. (They had been focusing on other issues, including retinopathy of prematurity that has left her with little vision...).

They are considering moving here to London permanently or at least for a few years to get better care for her (if they can swing it financially).

Where would a paying patient go for great care for the hearing loss?

(And ideally combined with other folks who could see to her other multiple health needs including the eye stuff, eating issues, neuro etc. and physical therapy).

Thanks in advance!

[hatchypom]

Hi - for non-NHS patients I know that the portland does do private implants.

[sassafrassj]

Thanks, Hatchy. Is The Portland well thought of generally? (I've only lived here in the UK myself for 8 months, so don't know enough to be helpful.)

[hatchypom]

I think so, don't know much about it myself. Cochlear implants take quite a long time to organise, as you need CT scan, MRI, audiology, speech and language and eye tests, ECG and a teacher of the deaf assessment. Doing it privately means that you need to find a centre that can offer all of this, not sure where else does it. My daughter has just had one ear done on the NHS and my advice is think as much about the aftercare (ie therapy) as the surgery.