LUCIA Study
USAIS is excited to announce that we are co-investigators in a research project led by University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
The trial will provide bilateral cochlear implants (cochlear implants on both sides) to some deaf adults. The results will be used to review NHS guidance for the provision of implants to adults.
We hope to be recruiting at the end of 2026 and will give lots more information later in the year.
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What’s available for deaf customers at Chichester theatres?
Chichester Festival Theatre and the adjacent Minerva Theatre have options for those with a hearing difficulty; such as StageText captioned performances on specific dates for all productions and infra-red audio enhancement, for which free headsets are available.
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Captioned Specs (available in some cinemas for some films)
Odeon Cinemas have introduced closed-captioned glasses into some of their cinemas. This is available for some films. It will enable viewers to see the captions for these films, without having to book a specific screening. The glasses will display the words to the wearer. Odeon Cinemas say
In partnership with Built For Good Technology, WatchWord closed-captioned glasses* are available at 14 of our cinemas for selected films and showtimes.
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Free BSL classes in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland will become the first part of the UK to provide free sign language classes to all deaf children and their families, through a new sign language law that was passed on Tuesday (26th April 2026).
The Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025 will put a duty on the Department for Communities to provide free classes for deaf people under-25 and their close families, guardians, and carers.
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NEW Tinnitus Resources
USAIS has produced four videos in which our experts talk about Tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a common condition - yet it is not an illness or a disease. Some research suggests that approximately 19% of adults experience Tinnitus.
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Supporting Patients with Microtia & Atresia
Upcoming Hearpeers Webinar Details
Date: Saturday, 9 May 2026
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm BST
Location: Online
To register for this online event, please click here
Interactive Q&A
Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A session with a representative from Microtia UK and a member of MED‑EL’s clinical team.
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New Car Parking Spaces
USAIS has been able to secure additional parking spaces. These are only a few metres from the ramped access to Building 19 - where the clinic is based. They are available on a "first come first serve basis" and cannot be reserved.
The five spaces outside Building 28 are still available and dedicated to USAIS Patients. There are, therefore, now two additional parking spaces and one disabled parking space, bringing the total number of spaces to eight.
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Navigating Young Adult Life with a Cochlear Implant
Patients or their families may wonder what everyday life will look like for a cochlear implant user once they are a young adult.
Hearpeers by MED‑EL is hosting a webinar offering a relatable, real‑world perspective on navigating young adult life with a cochlear implant.
The session features Freya, a young adult cochlear implant user, who shares her lived experiences through an engaging interview format.
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USAIS Service during University Closure Days
USAIS does not offer a service over the weekend or on Bank Holidays. However, the University has additional closure days on which we offer a repairs service from 10am - 4pm. The dates on which the repairs service is available over the holiday period is shown below:
Date
USAIS Repairs
Manufacturer Led Repairs
Thursday, 2nd April 2026
10am - 4pm
9am - 4.
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