My child with a cochlear implant (CI)

Introduction

My child’s hearing loss and experience with a CI

Previous school/educational experiences

How does a CI work?

Diagram of the internal ear with a CI

Internal and external components

A CI on a child

Challenges of using a CI to hear

Hearing challenges• Noisy environments• Locating the source of sounds• Incidental hearing

Speech and language challenges• Hearing age• English as a second language• Articulation• Lack of confidence• Difficulty modulating volume

Social challenges• Missing cues for transitions• Missing incidental conversations• Difficulty identifying speaker• Difficulty learning social rules of conduct

Methods to support my child in the classroom

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

• Discuss IEP goals• List classroom accommodations

Set up the classroom to reduce background noise

• Put carpets, rugs, or mats on floors• Cut tennis balls in half and slip them onto all chair

feet• Place curtains on windows• Cover the walls• Avoid having bubbling fish tanks or water features

in the classroom

To help with this process, I will…

• Provide materials to support the teacher• Provide contact information for specialists familiar

with my child• Be available throughout the year to discuss my

child’s progress• Work with my child at home on classroom

assignments

Next steps

Questions?