Hearing implant manufacturer Cochlear has welcomed the UK's move to expand the criteria for implant eligibility as one that could double the number of potential recipients.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which provides guidelines to the NHS, has reduced the threshold for eligibility for a cochlear implant to an unassisted 80 decibels of hearing loss, from 90.
Cochlear chief executive and president Dig Howitt said the change is expected to more than double the number of people in the UK who can access a cochlear implant.
"Cochlear welcomes the news as a positive change that will empower more people to benefit from cochlear implant technology, enabling them to live a full and connected life," Mr Howitt said on Friday.
"The UK is a top five market for Cochlear with over 900,000 people living with a severe to profound hearing loss."
At 1020 AEDT, shares in Cochlear were 0.32 per cent higher at $177.70 against the backdrop of a 0.42 per cent decline for the overall market.
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