Get On the Brain Train!

Whenever people ask me what I do, I tell them that I help families of children with hearing loss teach their children to listen and speak without the use of sign language.  Inevitably, the next question I hear is, “HOW?!?”

Helping Extended Family Members Understand Hearing Loss

Parents of children with hearing loss face the challenge of explaining their child’s deafness to extended family members all year long, but the holiday season, with its endless get-togethers and celebrations, often brings these conflicts to a head.  Even the most well-meaning family members can cause stress when they ask questions like, “Isn’t he talkingContinue reading “Helping Extended Family Members Understand Hearing Loss”

Genetic Testing for Hearing Loss

When parents find out that their child has hearing loss, one of the first questions they ask is often, “Why?” Some causes of hearing loss are easy to determine:  the child has outer or middle ear malformations that are apparent in a visual examination, the mother had an illness known to cause hearing loss during pregnancy,Continue reading “Genetic Testing for Hearing Loss”

Great Expectations: Progress with a Cochlear Implant

Like any big decision, getting a cochlear implant involves just a little bit of a leap of faith.  No matter how much you research, there is no way to know 100% what will happen with the surgery, activation, or rehabilitation.  By and large, results are fantastic, but how can you know what to expect forContinue reading “Great Expectations: Progress with a Cochlear Implant”

Borderline Cochlear Implant Candidates

For many who receive a CI, the choice is clear-cut: hearing aids simply do not provide sufficient benefit for language and listening to people with profound hearing loss when compared to the performance of a cochlear implant.  But what about hearing aid users who are doing “well enough” with their current technology, but are onContinue reading “Borderline Cochlear Implant Candidates”

Insurance Coverage for CI Surgery and Upgrades

One great thing about having multiple cochlear implant manufacturers is that they are constantly innovating and producing new technology!  A new processor launch is thrilling, and the first question on everybody’s mind is, “When can I get my hands on it?!?”  Unfortunately, the second question is often, “Will my insurance cover it?!?”  Here are someContinue reading “Insurance Coverage for CI Surgery and Upgrades”

Insurance Coverage for Auditory Verbal Therapy

In the United States, there are significant differences in insurance coverages from state to state, and even between plans from different insurance carriers.  This information is intended to be a general overview with tips that may help in your particular insurance situation.

What to Expect In the First Weeks After a Child’s Cochlear Implant Activation

WHAT TO EXPECT In the first weeks after your child’s cochlear implant is activated The big day has finally arrived!  Your child’s cochlear implant(s) are finally going to be turned on.  After months of appointments and waiting, you may feel as if you’ve made it to the finish line, but you are really at theContinue reading “What to Expect In the First Weeks After a Child’s Cochlear Implant Activation”

Review of 101 FAQs About Auditory Verbal Practice

As a big fan of the earlier edition (50 FAQs About Auditory Verbal Therapy), I was excited to read the latest update: 101 FAQs about Auditory Verbal Practice, edited by Warren Estabrooks M.Ed., Dip. Ed. Deaf, LSLS Cert. AVT® .