Sense has joined forces with The Ear Foundation to develop a publication, “Deafblindness and Cochlear Implantation”. A useful guide for both families and professionals, it is the first publication to focus on cochlear implantation (CI) solely for congenital deafblind children.
Working with deafblind children presents cochlear implant teams with unique challenges. Teams who already have experience of working with children with complex needs will probably have many of the necessary resources in place. However, the booklet considers additional factors which are unique to this particular group.
A number of personal stories in the booklet also examine the whole process of CI from assessment, through to day to day issues of the child wearing the CI, as well as the outcomes families have observed in their children.
The post operative learning process for the deafblind/Multi Sensory Impaired (MSI) child is also charted along with the close collaboration between the cochlear implant team and the education team to enable appropriate follow up activities to develop within the child’s familiar territory.
According to Bev Mars, Head of Children and Families Services at Sense, “Deafblindness is a distinct disability. The provision of cochlear implants can dramatically change the outlook for children and adults with deafblindness. They have the potential to allow the child or adult to hear both environmental sounds and speech and therefore making the world a much more accessible place. Cochlear implants can considerably improve possibilities for people with deafblindness to participate in society.”
According to Sue Archbold of The Ear Foundation: “We really valued the collaboration with Sense and the practical input from families, which means this booklet will prove extremely useful as a resource to professionals and families alike. It is important that professionals realise that the goal might not be to acquire speech understanding and spoken language and that is fine!”
A copy of the booklet costs £8 available to order by phone from Sense’s Information Service on 0845 127 0060 or email Information Service.
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