Federación AICE celebrates International Cochlear Implant Day under the motto “Hearing is only the beginning…”. Therefore, in collaboration with various public administrations, entities, and enterprises, we will display posters and illuminate landmark monuments to raise visibility for the cochlear implant community throughout Spain.
Barcelona, February 25, 2025. 68 years ago, on February 25, the pioneering precursor surgery for the cochlear implant took place. Since 2009, this day has been observed worldwide, promoted by Federación AICE, which is a member of the World Hearing Forum affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Hearing is only the beginning… to perceive sounds, speech, and music: In Spain, there are 1,230,000 individuals with hearing loss of varying types and degrees, of whom over 310,200 experience severe-to-profound hearing loss or total deafness. Among them, 25,000 people in Spain are cochlear implant users.
Hearing is only the beginning… to achieve empowerment: Federación AICE, with nearly 30 years of history, represents and defends the interests and rights of cochlear implant users and their families nationwide. Through the dissemination of accurate information regarding hearing disabilities and cochlear implants across all sectors, we aim to guarantee healthy lives and promote well-being for individuals with hearing loss, free from stigma and prejudice.
Hearing is only the beginning… to collaborate: Through advocacy campaigns, it seeks the engagement of Public Institutions to advance strategies for consistency and standardization in the collection of high-quality qualitative and quantitative data. We promote and advocate for the implementation of early detection programs for hearing loss in adults aged 55 and over to enhance referral processes from primary care and reinforce support for those receiving a device.
In a world where sound is a fundamental part of our daily lives, many individuals face the challenge of hearing loss. Nevertheless, thanks to advances in medical technology, the cochlear implant has become a transformative tool for those who need it. This device not only enables them to hear, but also provides the opportunity to connect with their environment and enjoy experiences that many of us take for granted.
The cochlear implant is an assistive hearing technology consisting of an external and an internal component, making it the only medical device capable of replacing a sensory function—a breakthrough that has revolutionized the field of hearing impairment.
Hearing is only the beginning… to integrate, connect, and relate: There is no specific age requirement to receive an implant, provided the individual is a suitable candidate. Cochlear implants facilitate communicative interaction both in early childhood and among adults, who report that their use prevents the isolation and lack of communication caused by deafness, thereby combating unwanted loneliness.
Thanks to cochlear implants, individuals diagnosed with severe-to-profound hearing loss are able to hear. It is essential to dismantle the stigma surrounding the use of assistive hearing devices and eliminate barriers to accessible communication.
Further information: +34 93 331 74 75 / +34 692 15 13 92 Email: integracion@implantecoclear.org
We remain at your disposal for interviews, news inquiries, and audiovisual material featuring deaf cochlear implant users, ENT healthcare professionals, and members of Federación AICE.
Link to PDF: Press Release Cochlear Implant Day 2025
