What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is advanced technology for children and adults who do not benefit from hearing aids.  Cochlear implants have several parts:  An electrode array that is surgically implanted in the inner ear (cochlea); a receiver that is surgically placed behind the ear; and a microphone and processor which are worn externally.  The cochlear implant takes in and converts acoustic sound energy into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve in the cochlea, sending the signal to the brain where it is perceived as sound.

What is a personal FM system?
A personal FM system works with a person's hearing aid or cochlear implant.  The receiver is small and connects directly to the hearing device.  The pager-sized transmitter and microphone are worn by the speaker, to send speech directly to the child’s equipment by FM signal.  FM systems help overcome the negative effects of ambient noise, distance, and reverberation, which make listening and learning more difficult for a person who has a hearing loss.

Can my child with a hearing impairment learn to talk with hearing aids or is a cochlear implant necessary?
Children with all degrees of hearing loss can use hearing aids, a cochlear implant or a combination of the two to gain access to the speech and sounds that help them learn how to talk.  Strong partnerships between families, teachers, and audiologists are essential to maximizing the potential of technology to help a child with hearing loss learn how to speak.   Some children will achieve the goal of understanding and using spoken language with hearing aids and others may need a cochlear implant.  A child’s team will work together to ensure that the technology worn provides the auditory access necessary to development spoken language. 

Can my child who has a hearing impairment and has been learning sign language learn to talk?
Every child and family is unique, so it is important to look at the individual situation.  Some children do start learning to communicate with sign language, and that does not preclude them from making a transition to spoken language.  Conversations with other families and speech and hearing professionals are important when making decisions about how a family will communicate.

I understand Listen and Talk is a preschool program for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Can my child who is five years old attend your program?
Every child and family is unique.  Preschool classes at Listen and Talk and/or individual sessions may be appropriate for an older child who is learning to listen and speak.  Families should discuss with speech and hearing professionals whether enrollment at Listen and Talk will meet the needs of the child and the family.

Can someone from Listen and Talk attend the meeting at which my child's Individualized Educational Plan is determined?
Yes!  Members of our staff regularly participate in IEP meetings when school districts collaborate with us.  Listen and Talk is committed to supporting families as they secure appropriate services and school programs for their children with hearing loss who are learning to listen and speak.  Families learn about the IEP process as they work with our staff.  The partnership with the Washington School for the Deaf is another resource that supports families as IEPs are developed.  When Listen and Talk is asked to participate in IEP meetings, adequate notice is necessary in order to arrange schedules and prepare for a meeting.