NHS Scotland Cochlear Implant Programme

12/10/2026

💚 World Mental Health Day 💚

Did you know Saturday was World Mental Health Day?

Feeling seen, valued and included is an important part of wellbeing. On World Mental Health Day, we are reflecting on the importance of creating an environment of inclusion, representation and belonging for the children, young people and adults with cochlear implants we support.
Through our ongoing conversations with cochlear implant users, we know that feeling represented and included matters. Seeing a range of experiences and identities reflected in toys, books and other resources can help support positive conversations about identity and self-esteem. At our recent Summer Fun Day, a teddy bear featuring a cochlear implant was donated as a raffle prize by
Representation goes far beyond these things, encompassing how people are recognised, included and valued across society, but small everyday reminders like this can help children and families feel seen and included. They can also help foster understanding and open up conversations about the many different experiences that make up our communities.

09/10/2026

📱 Turn spoken words into text in real time

Did you know that both Apple and Android smartphones include accessibility features that can provide a live written transcript of conversations?

🎤 As someone speaks, their words appear on your screen in real time, helping you follow face-to-face conversations, appointments, meetings and everyday interactions.
✅ Built into many Apple and Android devices
✅ Free to use
✅ Easy to access through Accessibility settings
✅ Can support communication for people who have varying levels of deafness

If you haven’t explored these features yet, take a look in your phone’s Accessibility settings and discover how technology can help make communication more accessible.

Here is a how to video talking you through both IPhone and Android.

08/10/2026

🧏‍♂️ A great opportunity for NHS staff - Learn basic British Sign Language (BSL).

NHSGGC staff can register for a six-week basic BSL course starting the week beginning 19 October 2026, with classes at Stobhill, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

The course helps staff develop basic signing skills and confidence when communicating with Deaf BSL users. A few places remain, particularly at Stobhill.

For further information and registration, visit:

🔗 www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/equalities-in-health/information-resources/for-staff/staff-training/ -basic-bsl

01/10/2026

Staff from the Scottish Cochlear Implant Programme attended MED-EL UK & Ireland referral day event yesterday in Perth. They discussed how to refer patients for CI assessment, what the assessment looks like and discussed some case study’s.

It was a fantastic day attended by professionals from all over Scotland. NHS Tayside also presented on other implantable hearing devices and one of our patients presented on their story. A clear highlight of the day.

28/09/2026

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy are keen to hear about you or your child's expereiences of Speech and Language Therapy.

https://www.rcslt.org/forms/rcslt-deafness-competency-framework-scoping-survey-for-service-users-and-lived-experience/

27/09/2026

Great work Rowan

23/09/2026

Meet Kara - As a young adult cochlear implant user, Kara has chosen to start learning sign language as part of her communication journey. In this video, she shares her personal experiences, motivations, and why exploring different ways to communicate is important
to her. We’re proud to support individuals in discovering what works best for them and celebrating the many ways people connect with the world around them.

23/09/2026

Today, on International Day of Sign Languages, we celebrate the many ways people communicate.

Within the Scottish Cochlear Implant Programme, our patients use a wide range of communication methods, including British Sign Language (BSL), spoken language, lipreading, cochlear implants, and a combinations of these.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Our focus is supporting every individual to communicate in the way that works best for them.

18/09/2026

01/09/2026

🌞 Summer Fun Day 2026 🌞

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Summer Fun Day last weekend.

It was lovely to see so many of our CI users and their families coming together to enjoy tea and coffee, face painting, balloon modelling, outdoor games, and lots of smiles and laughter.

A special thanks to The Animal Man for introducing us to some amazing fluffy and scaly friends. 🐍 🐰

We hope everyone had a fantastic day!