The work we do is life-changing. As a registered charity operating as a not-for-profit, we aim to keep our fees and costs to a minimum in an effort to make cochlear implant technology accessible to as many people as possible.
Our Valued Partners and Sponsors
If your business or organisation would like to donate to SCIP and enable profoundly deaf children and adults to access cochlear implant technology and return to a life of hearing, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.
Lives we've helped change
Be inspired by the stories of our patients who have connected or reconnected to the world of hearing.
Help Us to Change Lives
Because demand often exceeds Whaikaha (Ministry of Disabled People) funding, we look to fundraising and charitable donations to help those in real need.
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Latest News
Congratulations to our 2024 SHCT Scholarship Winner Jessica Haigh
Every year, with the support of our partner Forsyth Barr, the Southern Hearing Charitable Trust awards a $5000 scholarship to a cochlear implant recipient about to enter tertiary education. This year, a huge congratulations to the Southern Hearing Charitable Trust (SHCT) Scholarship Award Winner Jessica Haigh. Jessica is studying a Diploma in Scenic Construction &…
Farewell and Thank You to Jill Mustard
Farewell and thank you to long-serving SCIP Clinical Manager Jill Mustard After an interesting and fulfilling career, SCIP’s longest serving employee, Clinical Manager Jill Mustard, is retiring soon. A mantra Jill has followed in her career, and one she recommends to everyone, is to say “yes” to opportunities that present themselves in life. For her…
Autumn 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter, our first for 2024, which is now available for viewing and download. We hope everyone finds something useful in this edition.
Two SCIP patients are media stars for International Cochlear Implant Day
Two SCIP patients were great advocates for this life-changing technology in the media for International Cochlear Implant Day on February 25. Dr Amanda Kvalsvig was an amazing ambassador for cochlear implants during an interview with Jim Mora on his Sunday show on Radio New Zealand. The link to the interview is on RNZ’s website and…
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A deaf world championship swimmer has said she "can't wait" to hear the crowds for the first time at the Paris Paralympics, thanks to her cochlear implants. ![]()
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A rule change in 2023 means Suzanna Hext, from Calne in Wiltshire, can wear her cochlear implants during her race.![]()
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Ms Hext, who was born with a hearing impairment and is now profoundly deaf, will be competing in the S5 100m freestyle.![]()
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"Having that crowd and that feel of the atmosphere, it's got to give you a buzz to get down that pool pretty quick," said Ms Hext.![]()
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Paris 2024 Paralympic: Deaf athlete to hear crowd's cheer for first time
www.bbc.com
A rule change means swimmer Suzanna Hext is able to wear her cochlear implants during the games.
Hidden disabilities, like hearing loss, can be difficult for others to recognise, which is often the biggest barrier for people accessing additional support and understanding. ![]()
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Wearing the Sunflower lanyard at the airport discreetly indicates to staff and others that you may need additional time, support or understanding.![]()
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If you plan on travelling this year, check out the maps below of Australian and New Zealand Airports that proudly support the Sunflower Program, leading the way in making travel accessible and inclusive for all!
Martin Holtham’s life is focused on his four sons – Benjamin, twins Jeremy and Ryan, and Campbell. Improving his communication with his hearing sons was the catalyst for Martin’s cochlear implant operation when he was 48 years old.![]()
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He admits it took a lot of convincing to overcome his skepticism about the surgery and he wishes he had been persuaded earlier.![]()
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On Martin’s father’s side of the family are 24 Deaf relatives, some who already had cochlear implants.![]()
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It was his youngest brother, Andrew, who encouraged him and won him over.![]()
Andrew’s Deaf sons Oliver and Charlie have cochlear implants and Martin visited them in Hastings and witnessed the modern technology in action.![]()
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“When I saw how well my nephews communicated with their father, well ...”![]()
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Now Martin encourages others to consider the surgery as soon as possible.![]()
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Martin cried when he heard his sons’ voices after his switch-on. “I was so happy.”![]()
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“Being hesitant about having a cochlear implant was my biggest mistake.”![]()
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You can read more of Martin's story in SCIP's commemorative book Hear our stories – Celebrating 20 years here: scip.co.nz/hear-our-stories