The following links are designed to give you some ideas of places to start looking for further information and resources which may be useful; there are manyt more available. NAIP does not recommend specific products or manufacturers and a link to these sites does not imply a preference.
Follow the links by clicking on the resource titles.
Improving Communication with family, friends and colleagues
This booklet from the Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme (NAIP) includes advice and information on how you can make the most of your hearing, and what others can do to help when you cannot hear easily. It also includes information on useful organisations and resources you might use. NAIP have also produced this short information sheet:
This site has a very useful Communication Tactics video about improving communication for people with hearing loss. This interactive resource is ideal to watch with family and friends.
There is also a section which aims to help new hearing aid users to better use their hearing aids.
Oticon have produced a number of documents useful to discuss with family and friends. Here is one of them:
Developing listening skills; from early days to further rehab.
Listening Practice Ideas
These information sheets from Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme give ideas for listening practise at various levels. If you are not sure which to use, speak to one of the team at NAIP. Click each below to download:
Instructions - Familiar phrases
Instructions - Listening to words (same length)
Instructions - Listening to words (different lengths)
Instructions - Recognising people from their voices
Instructions - Tracking
Instructions - Practising with audio books
https://apps2.advancedbionics.com/auth/login/SsoForm
Once you have registered for this free portal from Advanced Bionics you can access information about a range of rehab resources including those listed below and LIVE WEBINARS - on line talks about developing listening skills and resources to help.
If you are just beginning with your cochlear implants try to work through all sections of the ‘Getting Started’ sections systematically as they get progressively harder. If you are a good lipreader, you might find the ‘listening to sentences’ section easier
Set up a free account (as for the rehab portal) to access this programme which is designed to help you improve your confidence using your hearing technology, ease of understanding different speakers and ease of listening in noisy environments. It includes exercises to help train you to hear better using your hearing technology. Your training will be self-paced. Work on your computer, iPad or tablet.
A range of lessons to help practise listening skills.
Choose ‘adults’ from the age ranges. You can then view the resources available and try the samples. A short assessment guides you to the best place to start and there are suggestions for what to try next
This blog has a range of tips and tricks for adults to help develop listening skills and communication strategies.
Tips from Medel on how to answer tricky questions from people about your hearing implant.
Listening to spoken word
Listening to stories and factual information at your own pace can be helpful in developing listening skills. If possible use the written text or subtitles alongside begin with. There are a many of these resources available on line; here are just a few to try:
Videos of speakers talking on a range of interesting subjects.
Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme have a small collection of audiobooks and audio equipment which can be loaned out to our patients. If you would like more information please speak to your NAIP audiologist or speech and language therapist at your next appointment.
Helping you enjoy music
This interactive program from Advanced Bionics is designed to help teenagers and adults with cochlear implants explore the world of music. To access, set up a free account on the rehab portal.
An app produced by Cochlear which has different games to help people with cochlear implants to regain the joy of music. You can start with simple notes and instruments and work up to more complex melodies.
A booklet available to download free from the Medel site.
Use virtual instruments to experiment and create your own music:
This page shows you some possibilities for adding subtitles to videos.
There are also a range of other sites which provide the lyrics of songs which you can download to read whilst listening to the songs.
Other useful links
A booklet available to download free from the Medel site.
A range of video tutorials about hearing aids, radio aids (including Roger systems), hearing and well-being, and hearing loss communities.
Otter listens to your voice conversations and generates “smart notes” – machine-generated text that is synchronized with audio and enriched with speakers tags and summary keywords.
Search ‘café sounds’ in YouTube to find a range of background noise audio. These give you opportunities to practise listening and conversations with family in background noise before trying the real thing.
The Next Generation Text Service (NGTS) in the UK, uses a relay service to help you communicate over the phone. It's compatible with landlines, smartphones, tablets and computers. Just type your message to a relay assistant, who'll speak it to the person you're calling.
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