The Cochlear Implant Journey

What does a successful cochlear implant journey look like? The Ida Institute set out to answer this question with our latest seminar, “Successes, Gaps and Challenges in CI Rehabilitation: The CI Journey for Children and their Families.”

For the families of children with cochlear implants, there is so much more to their journey than just the switch-on date. Together with a group of multi-disciplinary participants from 14 different countries, the Ida Institute has investigated what needs families have at every step of the journey.

Beginning with diagnosis, looking to implantation, rehabilitation, and the child's transitions through school, the Cochlear Implant Journey aims to identify the resources and emotional needs of families to help them make informed decisions about treatment, devices, and rehabilitation, so they can focus more energy to enjoying life with their children.

Seminar Lectures

After Implantation

Sue Archbold of the Ear Foundation shares research on the results of long-term management of children ages 6-18 with cochlear implants as they go from school to higher education to the workplace.

An Educator's Perspective

Ruth Bourne shares her experience as a teacher of children with hearing loss and principal of the Carel du Toit Centre, a school dedicated to helping children with cochlear implants learn to speak.

The Parent-Driven Patient Journey

Lone Percy-Smith, head of research for the patient organization Decibel, talks about how Decibel was established by parents for the right to choose communication with their children according to their values.

Patient/Family Types and Decision-Making Models

Christine Yoshinaga-Itano of the Marion Downs Hearing Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, presents methods used to train audiology students at the Marion Downs Hearing Center in terms of counseling procedures.