WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 11, 2001 – The Deafness Research Foundation (DRF)
announced today that Advanced Bionics® Corporation, manufacturer of the
Clarion® CII Bionic Ear™ cochlear implant system, has increased its
support of the National Campaign for Hearing Health (The Campaign), a
public education and advocacy initiative sponsored by the Deafness
Research Foundation. Advanced Bionics’® $140,000 donation will support the
Campaign’s initiatives, particularly increased coverage for cochlear
implants and related services through public and private insurance plans.
“Advanced Bionics® continues to be our leading corporate sponsor,
providing invaluable support as we advocate for insurance reimbursement
for all assistive hearing technology such as the cochlear implant, and
rehabilitation” said Elizabeth E. Thorp, Director of the National Campaign
for Hearing Health. “Although cochlear implants are able to restore
functional hearing to the profoundly deaf, many candidates are denied
access because their insurance coverage is insufficient. For this reason,
we are committed to improving reimbursement for these life-altering
technologies through our federal and state-level advocacy programs.”
Representatives from Advanced Bionics also indicated that recent proposed
reductions in Medicare funding coverage may pose a serious challenge in
the coming year, raising the risk of creating restrictions in access to
hearing assistive technology and rehabilitation services during 2002, and
beyond.
Hearing loss is the number one birth defect in the United States,
affecting more than 12,000 newborns each year. However, due to the
significant increase in newborn hearing screenings and technological
advances in cochlear implant technology, more people than ever before have
been identified as eligible candidates for implantation. Advanced Bionics®
and the National Campaign for Hearing Health are working together to
ensure that every candidate has the opportunity to benefit from the
technology.
“Advanced Bionics is in the business of providing solutions to deaf and
hard of hearing people,” said David Saffir, Vice President, Corporate
Marketing and Reimbursement for Advanced Bionics. “Our continuing support
of the National Campaign for Hearing Health, which has an organized and
effective focus on advancing reimbursement, is an important way to help
deaf and hard of hearing people gain access to the solutions they need.”
About Advanced Bionics® Corporation
Advanced Bionics® Corporation develops, manufactures and markets
implantable neurostimulation devices – bionic technologies that treat
neurological conditions. The company, which manufacturers the new CLARION®
CII Bionic Ear™ System to restore hearing to the deaf, is the only
American company that develops cochlear implant technology.
The company is creating other bionic devices for a variety of
neurostimulation conditions, including chronic pain and urinary urge
incontinence. For more information about Advanced Bionics, visit their Web
site at http://www.bionicear.com.
About the National Campaign for Hearing Health
The National Campaign for Hearing Health, sponsored by the Deafness
Research Foundation, is committed to putting hearing health on the
national agenda. The Campaign is working to raise awareness of hearing
issues, improve options for those living with hearing loss, and to protect
those at risk. By advocating for detection, prevention, intervention and
research, the Campaign promotes hearing health for all. For more
information visit
http://www.hearinghealth.net.
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