Author Archive

Contact Your Senators!

August 24th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Currently, there are two very important pieces of legislation awaiting approval in the United States Senate: The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2010 (S. 3199) aka “Newborn Hearing Screening” passed in the House of Representatives but also needs to pass in the Senate Read More

Bed Time, Bath Time, Swim Time

August 24th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

What do these three have in common?  They’re all times when wearing a hearing device can be difficult, if not impossible and not allowed at all!  Though there are some great solutions for “water-proofing” a CI, there are always going to be times when your child is “off the air”.  Not Read More

Telephone Practice

August 18th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Being able to use the telephone represents both independence and connection for people with hearing loss.  It means being able to make calls for work without assistance, being able to give and receive information, and being able to make emotional connections with friends and family from miles Read More

What Does a Hearing Loss Sound Like?

August 12th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Here’s the quick answer:  There’s no way to know for sure. Due to the unique nature of each person with hearing loss, their individual anatomy, their prior auditory experiences and auditory development in their brain, and differences in electrode placement in each particular person’s Read More

Music to My Ears

August 11th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Many CI candidates (or their parents) worry about the ability to enjoy music through their electronic “ears”.  Like anything, appreciating music with cochlear implants (or hearing aids) is a process that requires appropriate expectations and lots of practice.  Here are some Read More

Decorate Your HAs, CIs, or Baha

August 3rd, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

A while ago, I posted THIS about decorating hearing devices, and how adding flair to your “ears” can increase acceptance and awareness of hearing loss every day.  Well, the world of hearing devices changes quickly, so here are some of the original ideas of that post with even more Read More

Deaf+* Kids: What I Found

August 2nd, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

A few months ago, I posted THIS asking for reader opinions and feedback on the subject of children with hearing loss and additional disabilities.  This spurred an independent learning project, and I promised to share with you all what I learned.  Here is what I found… STATISTICS: WHO ARE Read More

Securing Your Processor On Vacations

July 27th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

There was recent news on a child’s processor being stolen at a recreation center.  This is an ordeal that NO cochlear implant recipients want to live through because it’s tough to live without hearing, and it’s not cheap to replace the processor.  There are several ways to Read More

Are You a Fan of CIO on Facebook?

July 22nd, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Join the discussion, read about others’ experiences, ask questions, make connections, and meet new friends… become a fan of Cochlear Implant Online on Facebook to stay up to date on the most recent news.  CLICK HERE. Also, follow @CochlearImplant on Twitter! Read More

Pumpin’ the Music to My Ears

July 16th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

“I have a dream…a song to sing…” As I’m typing this blog entry, I’m chilling out in my bed and listening to a song from One of the biggest questions I receive as a cochlear implant user is how do I listen to my iPod.  I just use the regular white earbuds that comes with the iPod.  Read More

Turning 3: Transition from Early Intervention

July 15th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) stipulates that states must provide Early Intervention programs for children with disabilities/delays birth to age three and their families.  Once a child qualifies (criteria vary from state to state, usually, the presence of a Read More

Don’t Wait. Enjoy today!

July 13th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

“If you always wait for the next price cut or to buy the new improved model, you’ll never buy any technology product because there is always something better and less expensive on the horizon. The good news is that if you buy products from companies that support them well, like Apple Read More

AG Bell 2010: Monday

July 11th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

These articles are reposted from the reports I did for the AG Bell Convention 2010’s Official Blog.  I am reposting them here for readers who did not see them “live” during the Convention and so that they will be preserved on this site for future CIO readers.  Enjoy! Auditory Neuropathy Read More

AG Bell 2010: Sunday

July 11th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

These articles are reposted from the reports I did for the AG Bell Convention 2010’s Official Blog.  I am reposting them here for readers who did not see them “live” during the Convention and so that they will be preserved on this site for future CIO readers.  Enjoy! Research Symposium: Read More

AG Bell 2010: Saturday

July 11th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

These articles are reposted from the reports I did for the AG Bell Convention 2010’s Official Blog.  I am reposting them here for readers who did not see them “live” during the Convention and so that they will be preserved on this site for future CIO readers.  Enjoy! Essential Practices Read More

AG Bell 2010: Friday Concurrent Sessions

July 11th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

These articles are reposted from the reports I did for the AG Bell Convention 2010’s Official Blog.  I am reposting them here for readers who did not see them “live” during the Convention and so that they will be preserved on this site for future CIO readers.  Enjoy! A Longitudinal Study Read More

AG Bell 2010: Friday Short Course

July 11th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

These articles are reposted from the reports I did for the AG Bell Convention 2010’s Official Blog.  I am reposting them here for readers who did not see them “live” during the Convention and so that they will be preserved on this site for future CIO readers.  Enjoy! Adults Read More

Be an Informed Consumer

July 11th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Is my child receiving good services from our teacher of the deaf/SLP/AVT/early interventionist?  Well, how on earth would I know?  How can I tell “good” therapy when I see it?  How do I choose between Program A and Program B for my child?  Where do I go from here? Most parents of Read More

“Born to Read”

July 9th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

For decades, literacy has been the Achilles’ Heel of deaf education.  Historically, students with hearing loss educated using methods that did not focus on listening and spoken language, have historically achieved abysmally low reading scores[1].  But our children with hearing loss are Read More

Happy Independence Day!

July 4th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Originally published July 4, 2009.  Reprinted here with some edits, and apologies to our foreign readers! Today we celebrate the birth of our nation, the United States of America’s Independence Day.  INDEPENDENCE.  That word is so ingrained into the fabric of American culture (and the Read More

Hear the Summer Fun!

July 2nd, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

SUMMER FUN WITH BAHAS, HEARING AIDS, and COCHLEAR IMPLANTS! Summer has already rolled out, and that means we all should enjoy getting wet, screaming while on rollar coasters, and camping in the woods! If you’re going camping or on vacation to a location with limited access to electricity, Read More

AG Bell 2010: Monday Summaries

June 29th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Check out the Official Convention Blog for summaries from Monday’s concurrent sessions, including: Auditory Neuropathy and Cochlear Implants: Theory and Treatment AVT Model for Families Transitioning from Visual Language The Auditory-Verbal Lives of Children with Multiple Challenges Read More

AG Bell Convention 2010: Sunday Sessions

June 27th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Here’s a taste of what you can read about in my articles on the Official Convention Blog HERE about what I’m learning at the 2010 AG Bell Convention.  Today’s sessions included: Research Symposium: Remodeling the Deafened Cochlear for Auditory Sensation: Advances and Obstacles Worry, Read More

AG Bell Convention 2010

June 26th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Hi from Orlando, Florida, where the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s Convention 2010 is in full swing.  Be sure to follow @myheartlistens and @AGBell2010Conv on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates, and follow the official Convention Blog that I’m Read More

AG Bell Convention 2010

June 22nd, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

Surprise!  I’ve been a little quiet here around Cochlear Implant Online because I didn’t want to say anything until the details were all ironed out.  But now, with the finishing touches put on the plans, I’m proud to say that I will be serving as Onsite Reporter for the 2010 Convention of Read More

Thank you…

June 14th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

I would like to thank everyone once again for voting me to win Cochlear’s Hearing Hero Award.  Just over a week ago, I received my award at the Cochlear Americas headquarters in Denver, Colorado.  As always, I am honored to help people with hearing loss everyday.  I did not only come to Read More

It was a gift

May 30th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

I had ambitions. I happened to be born profoundly deaf, but hear and speak thanks to cochlear implants. I wanted to be an artist.  In spite of language delays due to my hearing loss, I used art as a tool to express myself and even managed to learn to speak French fluently as my second [...] Read More

Cochlear Implant Art Museum

May 24th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

In honor of Better Hearing and Speech Month, I asked cochlear implant users to show off their creative skills by creating works of art on the subject of cochlear implants or being happy to be able to hear.  Thank you to Vivie, Jeremy, Laura, Sidhanth, and David who all made beautiful art Read More

“Hapy BirT Dey” — The Beauty of Internal Motivation

May 20th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

I was working with a little guy the other day — a kindergarten student. He was hard at work hunched over a piece of paper with a crayon in his hand. I peeked over his shoulder and said, “Hey! That’s great! You wrote Happy Birthday!” His little eyes looked up at me and he broke into [...] Read More

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 8th, 2010 by Cochlear Implant Online

HERE’S TO THE MOMS Here’s to the Moms who may not have “signed up” to parent a deaf or hard of hearing child, but do so anyway with grace and love. Here’s to the Moms who narrate every second of every day, not caring what others may think. Here’s to the Moms who put miles on their Read More