Welcome to the Pindrop Foundation;

Pindrop was set up to raise awareness and funds for cochlear implants (bionic ears) and to draw attention to issues relating to hearing loss.

Over 400 people in New Zealand have received a cochlear implant since 1986. It has been estimated that there are over 400,000 hearing impaired New Zealanders, 4000 of whom could possibly benefit from a cochlear implant and yet a good many of these people aren't aware that the option exists for them to consider.

Our focus has been and always will be, about our clients, both adults and children, having the option to access cochlear implant technology as of right.

Also with the help of funds raised through Pindrop Foundation activities, we will inform and educate those accessing or involved with cochlear implant services, and seek to ensure that the best possible cochlear implant technology and services are available in New Zealand.
Pindrop is also raising awareness of other issues such as the need to educate the public about protecting their hearing.

As the re-development of our website commences we will bring you news of our fundraising efforts and how the Pindrop Foundation is supporting the community. We look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions as we endeavour to ensure the best information and support is available to those who are recipients of a Cochlear Implant and also to those who are still on the public programme waiting list.

What is a Cochlear Implant (Bionic Ear)?

A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. The implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin.

An implant does not restore normal hearing. Instead, it can give a deaf person a useful representation of sounds in the environment and help him or her to understand speech.

How does a cochlear implant work?

A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound. Hearing through a cochlear implant is different from normal hearing and takes time to learn or relearn. However, it allows many people to recognize warning signals, understand other sounds in the environment, and enjoy a conversation in person or by telephone.

Who gets cochlear implants?

Cochlear implants, coupled with intensive post implantation therapy, can help young children who have a severe to profound hearing loss to acquire speech, language, and social skills. Most children who receive implants are between 6 months and 3 years of age. Early implantation provides exposure to sounds that can be helpful during the critical period when children learn speech and language skills.

Adults who have lost all or most of their hearing later in life often can benefit from cochlear implants. They learn to associate the signal provided by an implant with sounds they remember. This often provides recipients with the ability to understand speech solely by listening through the implant, without requiring any visual cues such as those provided by lipreading or sign language.

It is generally agreed that the best adult candidates are those who:

• Have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears
• Have had limited benefit from hearing aids
• Have no other medical problems that would make the surgery risky
• Have a strong desire to be part of the hearing world and communicate through listening, speaking, and speechreading.

How does someone receive a cochlear implant?

If you feel that you or someone you know could benefit from a cochlear implant please see your GP or your audiologist who can then refer you to the Northern Cochlear Implant Programme in Auckland for an assessment.

Use of a cochlear implant requires both a surgical procedure and significant therapy to learn or relearn the sense of hearing. Not everyone performs at the same level with this device. The decision to receive an implant should involve discussions with medical specialists, including an experienced cochlear-implant surgeon. Some individuals may choose not to have a cochlear implant for a variety of personal reasons. Surgical implantations are almost always safe, although complications are a risk factor, just as with any kind of surgery. An additional consideration is learning to interpret the sounds created by an implant. This process takes time and practice. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are frequently involved in this learning process. Prior to implantation, all of these factors need to be considered.

For more information about cochlear implants please click here.

Should you wish to know more please email info@pindrop.org.nz.