1: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is one of the Institutes that encompass the National Institutes of Health. The NIDCD was established in 1988 and conducts research to help improve the lives of individuals with communication disorders. At their website, life care planners can find valuable information that can be used throughout the life care planning process for individuals with hearing impairment.
- Visit the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/Pages/default.aspx
- To view the research that has been conducted at the Institute, click the link “Research” on the home page
- You can also find valuable health information by clicking on the “Health Info” link on the home page
Sources of Additional Information:
- The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/
- Gallaudet University: http://www.gallaudet.edu/
- Questions and Answers about Deafness and Hearing Impairments in the Workplace- Americans with Disabilities Act: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/qa_deafness.cfm
- Cornucopia of Disability Information: http://codi.buffalo.edu/hearing.htm
- Hearing Impairments Resources: http://www.washington.edu/ doit/Faculty/Strategies/Disability/Hearing/hearing_resources.html
- Health Insite: http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Hearing_Impairments
2: Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant is an implantable electronic device that by-passes the damaged cochlea by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. There has been much debate regarding cochlear implants.
The following websites will provide you with additional general information on cochlear implants:
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/coch.asp
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/CochlearImplants/
- American Speech-Language- Hearing Association: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/cochlea r_implant.htm
There are three main companies that manufacture cochlear implants:
- Advanced Bionics: http://www.advancedbionics.com/
- Cochlear Corporation: http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/us/home
- Med-El: http://www.medel.com/
(Note: These sites also provide additional information on the other implantable devices mentioned in your readings).
Since their introduction to the market, the use of cochlear implants has been met with much controversy. The device is a concern for individuals who are Deaf as they see it as a direct threat to their culture. Review the following information on the “Cochlear Implant Debate” and reflect on its implications for a life care planner.
- Cochlear Controversy: http://www.pbs.org/saf/1205/features/cochlear.htm
Here, click the link “Tuning In” to sample what it is like to hear
with a cochlear implant. - “Sound and Fury”: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/soundandfury/cochlear/debate.html Click the links in the “Debate Menu” located on the right hand side of the page.
3: Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) include a large variety of devices that help individuals with different levels of hearing impairments communicate better in everyday situations. ALDs generally fall into two categories: those intended for personal use and those intended for group use.
Life Care Planners should be aware of the assistive listening devices that are available for individuals with hearing impairments.
Visit the following websites for additional information about ALDs.
- American Speech-Language Hearing Association: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech. htm
- Job Accommodation Network: http://askjan.org/
The following list is intended to provide you with additional resources specifically for ALDs:
- Adco Hearing Products, Inc.: http://www.adcohearing.com/ald.html
- Audex: http://www.audex.com/
- Beyond Hearing Aids: http://www.beyondhearingaids.com/
- Centrum Sound Systems: http://www.centrumsound.com/
- Sennheiser: http://en-us.sennheiser.com/
4: Other Assistive Technology Products for Individuals with Hearing Impairments
There are many other types of assistive technology products that may benefit an individual with hearing impairment. This list will provide you with the websites of companies and organizations that distribute and/or manufacture assistive technology for individuals with hearing impairments.
- Hear More.com: http://www.hearmore.com/store/default.asp
- Harc Mercantile: http://harc.com/
- HITEC: http://www.hitec.com/
- Harris Communications: http://www.harriscomm.com/
- Phonak: http://www.phonak-us.com/
- SoundBytes: http://www.soundbytes.com/
- TecEar: http://www.tecear.com/
- Weitbrecht: http://www.weitbrecht.com/
5: Online Journals
Visit the following website, and review journals and publications that are available on the Internet, and bookmark this site for future reference.
http://www.augie.edu/perry/ear/journals.htm
Additional Canadian Resources
6: Canadian Associations
- Credentials for Canadian Audiologists http://www.caslpa.ca
- Canadian Association for the Deaf – http://www.cad.ca
- Alberta Association of the Deaf – http://www.aadnews.ca/index.php
- Ontario Association of the Deaf – www.deafontario.ca
7: Other Canadian Resources
Founded in 1940, The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) is a not-for-profit agency and the leading provider of services, products, and information that remove barriers to communication, advance hearing health, and promote equity for people who are culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing. A board of directors, the majority of whom are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing, governs CHS. The Canadian Hearing Society offers 17 programs and services to meet the needs of people who are culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing. Explore these on your won at the website.
- Visit http://www.chs.ca/
ListenUP! Canada was created to deliver a better consumer experience for individuals who have a hearing loss as well as their families.
Hearing loss is a growing healthcare issue in today’s society, affecting more than 10% of the overall population and over 20% of those over the age of 45. Research in Canada indicates that 60% of all Canadian’s over the age of 65 years experience some degree of hearing loss. As a result, it has been determined that almost every Canadian will be affected by hearing loss at some point in their lives. There are many possible causes of hearing loss noted at this website, the leading sources of which are listed below:
- 33.7% due to noise.
- 28% age related.
- 17.1% due to infection or injury.
- 4.4% indicated hearing loss at birth.
