Southern Cochlear Implant Programme

17/06/2026

Our paediatric team has returned from the 7th International Conference on Family-Centred Early Intervention (FCEI) in Austria, bringing home new ideas, fresh perspectives and valuable international connections.

SCIP's Joanne Lake (Lead Paediatric Habilitationist) and Lydia Evans (Paediatric Habilitationist) joined professionals, researchers, parents and Deaf advocates from around the world to explore the latest research and best practice in supporting deaf and hard of hearing children and their families.

Alongside presenting two posters showcasing New Zealand's work, they attended sessions on topics including unilateral hearing loss, parent leadership, accessibility technology, social-emotional development and the future of early intervention.

We're looking forward to sharing these learnings across our team. 💙

Photo 1: Joanne Lake, Willa Hand APODC Auckland Parents of Deaf Children and Lydia Evans
Photo 2: Joanne Lake and Lydia Evans

14/06/2026

After meningitis left Cathy profoundly deaf, learning to hear again wasn’t instant — it took time, patience, and practice.

“The only way your brain relearns how to hear is through noise. Keep the radio on. Keep the TV on. Even when it feels overwhelming — you have to keep listening.”

For Cathy, wearing her cochlear implant and surrounding herself with everyday sounds has helped her reconnect with the world around her — from voices and conversations to birds singing on the way to the letterbox.

Sometimes progress happens one sound at a time. 💛

12/06/2026

If you're planning on escaping the cold weather for a holiday, a little preparation can help ensure your hearing equipment stays safe, charged, and ready for every adventure.

When travelling, it's important to carry spare equipment to help maintain your communication, safety and independence. Having backup items on hand means you can quickly replace essential parts if needed, ensuring continued access to sound and avoiding unnecessary disruptions to your trip.

Consider packing extras such as spare batteries, a spare cable, microphone covers and a drying kit—especially if you're travelling somewhere humid or wet. Finding replacement parts while travelling can be costly and time-consuming, so it's always best to be prepared.

If you're planning an extended overseas trip, speak with your audiologist before you leave. In some cases, SCIP may be able to loan an older-generation processor for international travel.

And before you go, check that your sound processor is covered by your travel insurance in case of any unexpected loss or damage.

Being prepared with spare equipment means you can focus on what really matters—enjoying your journey with confidence and peace of mind.

Have questions about travelling with your cochlear implant? The SCIP team is here to help.

Head to our resources page for more tips! >> https://scip.co.nz/tips-for-travelling-with-a-cochlear-implant/

10/06/2026

🐾 Certified Assistance Dogs Welcome at SCIP

To help us maintain a safe, comfortable and calm environment for our patients, visitors and staff, certified assistance dogs are welcome inside our clinics.

We kindly ask that all other dogs remain outside during appointments.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who visits SCIP. 💙

07/06/2026

Before receiving his cochlear implant, Dave's hearing was almost non-existent without hearing aids. Even with them, everyday sounds were often drowned out by wind noise, whistling, and constant feedback.

Then came one of his first "cochlear implant moments."

While standing in the kitchen, Dave heard a strange ticking sound. Tick, tick, tick. It would stop, then start again. Eventually, he realised it was his dog's toenails clicking across the lino floor — a sound he hadn't heard in years.

It's these seemingly small moments that can make such a big difference.

Today, Dave encourages anyone considering a cochlear implant not to wait.

"If you're deaf and someone suggests a cochlear implant, grab it with both hands."

Have you experienced your own cochlear implant moment? We'd love to hear about it in the comments. 👇

04/06/2026

One of our patients recently told us about a fantastic New Zealand company making 3D-printed retention clips designed to help keep cochlear implant processors securely in place.

Stay Put Clips are lightweight coil caps with retention clips (compatible with Nucleus 7 & Nucleus 8 processors) that help reduce "coil offs" during everyday activities. They're ideal for active children and adults who enjoy:

✨ Sports and PE
✨ Dancing and gymnastics
✨ Running and active play
✨ Swimming

Designed and made in New Zealand, these clips are available in a range of fun colours and are a practical option for anyone looking for extra security and confidence while wearing their cochlear implant.

If you'd like to learn more, check out Electric Wildflower’s page or get in touch with them directly for ordering information.

We love hearing about innovative solutions that help our patients get the most out of their hearing technology

After a long journey, printing and testing and back to the drawing board. Here we are …

Stay Put Clips – Cochlear Implant Coil cap with Retention Clips (N7 & N8 compatible)

Small and light weight 3D printed clips designed to help keep cochlear implant coils more secure during everyday movement.

Built for real life:
✨ Sports & PE
✨ Dancing & gymnastics
✨ Running & active play
✨ Swimming

Stay Put Clips are designed to help reduce “coil offs” so both kids & adults can move more freely and confidently without constant readjusting.

Lightweight, low-profile, and made for active CI users

🌈 available in 10 cap colours & 4 clip colours
💛 $20 each or 2 for $30 + postage

📍Made in NZ
📩 Message to order or ask questions

02/06/2026

A huge thank you to St George's Hospital, who have supported SCIP for over 10 years. St George's support helps SCIP continue to provide valuable connection, information, and support for cochlear implant recipients and their whānau across our regions.

Blair Roxborough, CEO of St George's Hospital, said: “We’re proud to support several organisations that are close to our hearts, including SCIP. Their life-changing work offers vital support to cochlear implant users as they navigate their hearing journey. It’s an honour to contribute to a cause that has such a profound impact on people’s lives.”

We at SCIP are incredibly grateful for St Georges ongoing support.

If your business or organisation is interested in making a difference by supporting SCIP, we would love to connect with you. Your support helps profoundly deaf children and adults regain access to sound through cochlear implant technology.

30/05/2026

An exciting development coming out of the UK is drawing attention across the global hearing loss and cochlear implant community 👂

A major new trial, led by researchers in Cambridge, will investigate the benefits of providing bilateral (two-sided) cochlear implants to adults with profound hearing loss.

Research like this adds to the growing understanding of how hearing with two cochlear implants may impact everyday experiences, including following conversations in noisy environments, identifying where sounds are coming from, and reducing the effort that listening can sometimes require. Publicly funded adults in New Zealand typically receive one cochlear implant.

The study will follow more than 250 adults and explore not only hearing outcomes, but also wellbeing, communication and the wider impacts on daily life.

It will be interesting to watch how research like this may shape future conversations around cochlear implant access and outcomes.

Read more here👇

University of Birmingham researchers support new LUCIA trial that will assess the impact of bilateral cochlear implants on deaf adults.

28/05/2026

Congratulations to David Pluck on being formally invested as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to education 👏

David, who was born moderately to severely deaf, has spent decades advocating for equity and inclusion in education, helping ensure children can learn alongside their peers within their local communities.

Alongside training as a teacher and psychologist, David and his wife established Rainbow Reading, donating more than 100,000 books to low-decile schools across New Zealand. His contribution has also included helping establish Whakatū Kōhanga and whānau classes in Nelson, supporting the development of female psychologists, contributing to Māori cultural advisory guidelines, and establishing the Ministry of Education’s Intensive Wraparound Service Te Kahu Tōī.

Many of you may also recognise David from his recent story with us, where he shared his cochlear implant journey and reflected on the importance of connection and communication.

This recognition is a fitting acknowledgement of a lifetime dedicated to making a difference for tamariki, whānau, and communities across Aotearoa.

Congratulations David — a well-deserved honour 💙

Pictured: David Pluck and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro

26/05/2026

A reminder that both our SCIP clinics in Christchurch and Lower Hutt will be closed on Monday 1 June 2026 for the King's Birthday.

We hope everyone has a fantastic long weekend.