Cochlear Implant Centers are from Mars, School Systems are from Venus, and Parents are From Jupiter: Improving the Communication Process

Spring 2006 Issue 2
Click here to view the
Tools for Schools Web page.
Feature Story
Cochlear Implant Centers Are From Mars,
School Systems Are From Venus, and
Parents Are From Jupiter: Improving the
Communication Process
To maximize the success of children with cochlear implants, parents, school personnel, and implant audiologists must
communicate effectively and work as a team. Communication between team members can often be a challenge.
Sometimes it seems as if each team member is from a different planet! A lack of communication or miscommunication
amongst implant audiologists, school personnel, and parents may negatively impact a child’s outcome. Therefore,
effective communication across the team is the key to maximizing performance with a cochlear implant. This issue’s
feature article reviews the role of each team member, provides general tips for improving communication, and offers
suggestions for the specific information that should be shared among team members.
Parents/Caretaker Role
Parents interact with all team members on a consistent basis. Therefore, parents should be the primary facilitator of
communication among their child’s team. Providing key information about a child’s progress to all team members can be
an overwhelming task. Below are guidelines to assist parents with this important responsibility.
Information to Share With Team Members
Expectations
It is important for parents to share what mode of communication they would like
their child to use after cochlear implantation. A frank discussion about modes
of communication will ensure that parents have realistic expectations for
their child’s performance and will assist the team in setting appropriate
Feature Story
goals. Parents should also let team members know if they have
concerns about how their child is performing with his/her cochlear
Technology Corner
implant. This will provide the team an opportunity to work together
on problem solving and ensure that all members are aware of
Resource Corner
areas of concern.
Continued on page 2.
Education and Training Events
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Audiologic Information
•Program settings. Parents need to inform school personnel about what program, volume, and sensitivity settings
their child uses. Parents also need to let school personnel know if there is a certain program that should be used with an
FM/ALD system.
•Upcoming appointments. Parents should notify school personnel of any upcoming appointments their child has
with the implant audiologist. This allows school personnel to provide the implant center with input about the child’s
progress and address any areas of concern.
•Test results. It is also vital that parents keep all team members up to date on the child’s audiologic profile. All team
members should receive information about hearing and speech recognition test results. This information will assist
professionals in setting appropriate expectations and may indicate why a child is not making expected progress.
Outside Services
Finally, it is important for parents to share information about their child’s performance in outside therapies, such as
private aural rehabilitation. All team members should be aware of the goals set in outside therapies so they can provide
feedback about the child’s development of targeted skills.
Parent Tip for Improving Communication
Create a communication notebook
A communication notebook is a great way to facilitate sharing information. Include sections for the mainstream teacher,
school speech-language pathologist, educational audiologist, cochlear implant team, and outside therapists. Each
professional should contribute information about skill development, positive events, and areas that may need special
attention. A section specifically for parents should be included so parents can communicate information and observations
about their child’s progress.
School Personnel Role
Schools play an important role in helping children succeed with cochlear implants. School personnel are able to observe
the child’s performance on a consistent basis and often have access to information the implant audiologist and parents
may not be aware of. For this reason, schools must share insights and concerns with all team members. The key pieces
of information that should be shared with the child’s team are discussed below.
Information to Share With Team Members
•Characteristics of the school’s programs
Schools can help the child’s team learn about their programs by providing information about the services their district
offers for children with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Schools should share information about the classroom settings,
communication modes, and support services available for children with cochlear implants.
•Audiologic information
School personnel should report how consistently the child uses his/her device as well as what sound processor settings
the child uses and if these settings are changed significantly during the day. Schools should also communicate if the child
has difficulty hearing certain sounds or difficulty communicating in particular situations, as well as if sound ever appears
to be too loud for the child.
•Progress
It is important for all team members to have information on the child’s academic and speech and language development.
School personnel should inform team members if there is a sudden decrease in speech understanding or in speech
clarity. Schools should also let team members know if the child is not making expected progress over time.
School Tips for Improving Communication
•Collect case history and background information
Successful communication starts with a clear understanding of each child’s particular history and situation. It is important
to collect information about the child’s caretakers, hearing history, audiologic management, equipment, and any other
services or therapies the child receives.
•Appoint a liaison
It is helpful to identify one professional in your school or district who will act as a liaison with the cochlear implant
center. This person should disseminate information from the implant center to the correct school professionals. A
liaison who consistently corresponds with the implant team will have the opportunity to develop an ongoing
relationship with the team that will improve overall communication.
•Make sure release of information forms are signed and up to date
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other laws prevent professionals from sharing
information without a signed consent from the child’s parent or caretaker. Make sure to keep blank release forms on
hand.
•Attend a programming session
This is a great way for school personnel to learn firsthand what happens when the child visits the implant center for a
programming session. It also gives school professionals the chance to meet the child’s implant audiologist.
Cochlear Implant Center Role
The cochlear implant center will program the child’s device so the child is able to hear sounds and speech. The implant
audiologist should provide guidance on appropriate processor settings for various environments. The CI center regularly
assesses the child’s auditory skill development to verify programming. The implant audiologist is then able to identify if
there are any programming issues that may contribute to a child’s ability to hear and understand speech. For this reason,
the implant audiologist should ensure that team members are aware of programming changes and/or equipment issues
that may affect the child’s overall performance.
Advanced Bionics has several forms to assist with the communication process.
•Click here to view and download the Referral form.
•Click here to view and download the School Input form.
Technology Corner
Using the System Sensor
The System Sensor is a handheld diagnostic tool for teachers and parents. It provides visual confirmation that the sound
processor is communicating with the implant and that the sound processor power source is operating. It is a quick and
easy test of system functionality.
To use
1. Begin by pressing the white button to obtain the battery status of the System Sensor.
•An orange light indicates that the System Sensor is functioning appropriately.
•The absence of an orange light indicates that the System Sensor’s battery is depleted. A replacement System Sensor should be ordered.
2. Continue holding the white button while you move the Sensor over the child’s headpiece.You may need to move the
System Sensor around the headpiece area to find the optimal location for checking the functionality of the
implant system.
•A solid green light indicates the system is functioning appropriately.
•A flashing green light indicates the processor is not communicating with the internal implant.You will need to complete troubleshooting.
•The absence of a green light indicates that the speech processor power source is depleted. Change the battery and repeat the System Sensor check.
To order the System Sensor, please contact our Customer Care Representatives at: (800) 678-2575 ext. 2010; TTY
(800) 678-3575; or [email protected] Part number: CI-5820; Price $99.95
Resource Corner
CARE is Advanced Bionics’ new family of unique, quality services and
programs for cochlear implant recipients, their families, and professionals.
CARE stands for Connection, Advocacy,Resources, and Education. Read below to learn more about the CARE programs and services to assist parents,
educators, therapists, and other professionals who work with children who have cochlear implants.
Connections
Need help providing information and materials to families considering a cochlear implant for
their child? The Bionic Ear Association (BEA) can connect parents of children who use a cochlear implant to parent’s
considering a cochlear implant for their child. The one-to-one correspondence and mentoring the BEA provides is a great
way to learn about cochlear implants through the sharing of personal experiences.
Advocacy
Looking for information on consumer and professional advocacy organizations? The BEA can provide
you with information on local and national consumer organizations, conferences, workshops, support groups, and other
civic-minded events and activities for individuals with hearing loss.
Resources
Are you a parent, educator, therapist, or other professional who needs immediate advice or
guidance about how to use or troubleshoot cochlear implants? The BEA and Tools for Schools Program
provide on call experts to assist with advice and troubleshooting Monday through Friday from 5 AM to 5 PM PST.
Do you need basic and concise information on troubleshooting cochlear implants? Are you
looking for resource materials to assist you in managing children with cochlear implants in the
classroom? The Tools for Schools Program provides parents, educators, therapists, and others with valuable resources
and information on issues related to children and cochlear implants.
Do you want assistance ordering new equipment or replacing equipment? Do you have questions
about insurance coverage or do you need to know if a product is under warranty? Our Auditory
Customer Care Service department is open 365 days per year with a live call center and Web response service and a
Customer Care Policy committed to a 48-hour turnaround for replacement devices.
Education
Do you want to increase your knowledge about cochlear implants? Advanced Bionics offers free Web
courses, distributes free newsletters, and holds several workshops and seminars in different cities across North America
every year.
CARE Contact Information
BEA and/or On-call Experts:
Phone (800) 678-2575, ask for the BEA, or email [email protected]
To register for Advanced Bionics’ Tools for Schools Program visit
www.BionicEar.com or email [email protected]
To speak with one of our Auditory Customer Care Representatives,
Phone (800) 678-2575 ext. 2010; TTY (800) 678-3575; or email [email protected]
To learn more about our seminars, workshops, Web courses, and newsletters, visit www.BionicEar.com.
Upcoming Education and Training Events
SuperSize Your Cochlear Implant Knowledge and Skills
A two-day workshop. Day 1 covers cochlear implant candidacy, setting expectations, and hands-on
troubleshooting experience. Day 2 focuses on aural rehabilitation techniques and activities.
Rehabilitation for Children and Adults With Cochlear Implants
A two-day workshop. Day 1 focuses on auditory skill development in children. Day 2 covers adult aural
rehabilitation topics and suggestions for home activities to improve listening.
Date
Workshop
Location
Sept 28-29th
Oct 5-6th
Oct 12-13th
Oct 19-20th
Nov 9-10th
SuperSize Your Cochlear Implant Knowledge and Skills
SuperSize Your Cochlear Implant Knowledge and Skills
Rehabiilitation for Children and Adults With Cochlear Implants
SuperSize Your Cochlear Implant Knowledge and Skills
SuperSize Your Cochlear Implant Knowledge and Skills
Boston, Ma.
Toronto Canada
San Francisco, Calif.
Atlanta, Ga.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Click here to register or learn more about our upcoming education and training events.
Upcoming Web Courses
Did you know that Advanced Bionics offers several live Web courses every month? A library of recorded courses on
topics such as aural rehabilitation, troubleshooting, and assistive devices are also available. All Web courses are FREE and
offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Check out some of our recent courses especially applicable for parents and
school professionals:
Cochlear Implant Pre-hab: Establishing Listening and Language Skills Prior to Cochlear Implantation.
Author Mary Koch
Getting Ready to Work With Infants and Toddlers With Cochlear Implants. Author Amy McConkey Robbins
Tips for Successful Communication Between Parents and School Professionals. Author Carissa Moeggenberg
Music and Cochlear Implants. Author Chris Barton
Click here to register or learn more about our upcoming Web courses.
©2006 Advanced Bionics Corporation. All rights reserved.