Cochlear Implant Support Group

Past Events & Achievements

November, 2007   With the assistance of the Janeway Audiology Department an invitation to join our group was sent out to C I recipients. Thanks to Audiologist Paula O’Reilly for including it in her mail out to her clients.

September, 2007   A Handbook, Hearing with Cochlear Implant Technology: A Handbook for potential Users in Newfoundland and Labrador, was completed and made available to Dr. Batten, the Janeway Audiology Department, and the CHHA-NL office for those people considering an implant for themselves or for their children.

March, 2007   “Using Technology to Hear Better: An Evening of Show and Tell”. During this evening session, those in attendance brought along personal assistive listening devices and demonstrated their use.

 

September, 2006        Representatives of Advanced Bionics and Cochlear Canada spoke to our group about bilateral implantation. They outlined some of the research findings of their companies regarding the gains made by different age groups after receiving their second implant.

July, 2006       Beverly Biderman, author of Wired for Sound: A Journey into Hearing (c. 1998, Trifolium Books Inc.), spoke to the Cochlear Implant Support group and other interested parties about her own experiences with bi-lateral implantation. This very informative session was arranged by Myrtle Barrett, President of CHHA-NL and hosted by the C I Support Group.

June 2006.  Several members of this group travelled to the AG Bell Convention in Pittsburgh late in June 2006 and brought back the most current research on the CI technology, educational and social issues experienced by recipients of hearing loss and cochlear implants.  A summary of what was learned has been circulated by email. For more information contact the group chairperson or go to http://www.agbell.org

September to December 2005.  To help identify the needs of parents with children with a CI, CHHA-NL supported nursing students of Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Nursing to complete a needs assessment.  Needs identified included:

  • a handbook for parents on what to expect pre and post implant,

  • a website for the group,

  • enhanced public awareness,

  • support with teaching children to responsibly care for and troubleshoot their equipment. 

For those residing outside of St. John’s, the cost and inconvenience of frequent appointments in St. John’s is a great concern.  Finally, the group was concerned regarding the unfilled position for auditory-verbal therapist who is needed to facilitate screening pre-implant and therapy for speaking and hearing post-implant.

Late in 2005, parents and professionals launched a joint lobby effort. As announced by the Director of the Audiology Department of the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s, NL, at the February 2006 meeting, the lobbying resulted in significant funding being awarded by the province for replacement CI components and CI upgrades for school age children. 

 

 

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