Resources and links
On this page there are links to a range of websites and resources to support you/your child in developing listening, understanding and communication at home. We have suggested some which we use or that we know that our patients have found useful. NAIP have produced a number of inormation sheets and rehabilitation resources. These can be viewed and downloaded here:
NAIP information sheets and rehab resources
For more information, contact one of our listening and communication specialists or audiologists at naip@nuh.nhs.uk
Babies and young listeners
When searching for resources for your child it is important to bear in mind your child's hearing experience (sometimes called 'listening age') and level of language development, as well as their actual age, to find the most useful resources for them.
| Resource | provider/source |
|---|---|
| Help your baby learn to listen | Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme |
| Aimed at helping parents/carers to switch on their baby’s awareness of sound and listening. Useful for children who have hearing aids or cochlear implants. | |
| NAIP information sheets | Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme |
| Resources designed to be used alongside the advice of your NAIP clinicians. The cover a range of topics to help in your baby's development of listening, understanding and communication. | |
| BabyBeats | Advanced Bionics |
| This app includes a range of musical activities to help you and your baby bond, play and learn together so that your child can learn to listen and communicate through music. Available on the App Store for iPhone or Google Play for Android. | |
| Action songs | Words for Life |
| A page with ideas and the words for lots of songs and rhymes. | |
| Let’s Listen and Talk | The Elizabeth Foundation |
| An online resource for families which takes you step-by‑step through the process of building your child’s listening and speaking skills. It is split into three sections: baby, toddler and preschool. | |
| Hearingfirst.org | Hearing First |
| This website gives lots of information about learning to listen and talk from diagnosis of deafness onwards. There is a useful section called 'What to do' with lots of tips and strategies. | |
| National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) | NDCS |
| Information and support for families, deaf children and young people | |
| rehabilitation resources for babies and preschoolers | Cochlear |
| On this page you can access a range of Cochlear resources including: Listen learn and talk booklet, Chit Chat resources, Small Talk Booklet, and video resources. | |
| Speech Sounds: A guide for parents and professionals | Cochlear |
| A reource which gives ideas for introducing 20 speech sounds in everyday games and activities. It is aimed at children between 1 and 5 years | |
| Through the eyes of a child | Speeech and Language UK |
| A set of four short films Narrated by comedian Kathy Burke, the films are full of useful advice on how parents can encourage their child to talk and interact with them. There are 4 films, divided into age groups up to the age of 3 years. | |
| Med-el downloadable resources | MED-EL |
| A range of booklets and resources which can be downloaded from the support area of their website | |
| Med-el Blog | MED-EL |
| On this blog, in the 'Tips and Tricks' section, you can find the For parents tab or the Rehab at home resources with ideas for you to do at home with your young and school aged children. | |
| Tips for talking to your baby or young child | National Literacy Trust |
| Talk to your baby | National Literacy Trust |
| These are a series of quick tips for parents and practitioners to help children develop good talking and listening skills. Each sheet is available in thirteen languages (and growing). | |
| Dummies and learning to talk | National Literacy Trust |
| Words for Life | Words for Life |
| This website has information and ideas about talking and reading to children and is divided into age sections | |
| Advanced Bionics Rehab Portal | Advanced Bionics |
| Once you have registered for this free portal you can access information about a range of rehab resources including live webinairs. | |
| The Listening Room | Advanced Bionics |
| You need to register to create a free account and then you can access free activities foor infants and toddlers or preschool. |
School aged children listening to develop language
When searching for resources for your child it is important to bear in mind your child's hearing experience (sometimes called 'listening age') and level of language development, as well as their actual age, to find the most useful resources for them.
| Resource | provider/source |
|---|---|
| New experiences with your child | Hearing First |
| This website is aimed at younger children but this useful page talks about after school activities. | |
| National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) | NDCS |
| Information and support for families, deaf children and young people | |
| Rehabilitation resources for school age children | Cochlear |
| On this page you can access a range of Cochlear resources including: Every moment matters, Cochlear Classroom Care Guides, and video resources. | |
| Sound foundation for starting school | Cochlear |
| This rehabilitation guide is designed to support parents in the weeks leading up to their child’s first day at a school | |
| Advanced Bionics Rehab Portal | Advanced Bionics |
| Once you have registered for this free portal you can access information about a range of rehab resources including live webinairs. | |
| The Listening Room | Advanced Bionics |
| You need to register to create a free account and then you can access free activities for school aged chileren. | |
| VocAB Scenes App, AB Listening Adventure App | Advanced Bionics |
| These interactive apps (for iPad) support your child's language understanding, memory, and vocabulary. | |
| Musical Journey | Advanced Bionics |
| Designed for children aged 2½ to 6 years old. You can download the book and the songs/music that go with it In the AB rehab portal. | |
| Med-el downloadable resources | MED-EL |
| A range of booklets and resources which can be downloaded from the support area of their website | |
| Med-el rehab apps | MED-EL |
| A range of rehab apps including 'Hear Today' available for apple or android. | |
| Med-el Blog | MED-EL |
| On this blog, in the 'Tips and Tricks' section, you can find the For parents tab or the Rehab at home resources with ideas for you to do at home with your school aged children. | |
| How can I teach my child about thoughts and feelings? | MED-EL |
| Why should my child practise listening to descriptions? | MED-EL |
| Secondary milestones poster | Speech and Language UK |
| This poster is an easy reference for teachers to understand children's speech and language development from 11-16 years | |
| Primary milestones poster | Speech and Language UK |
| This poster is an easy reference for teachers to understand children's speech and language development from 4-11 years | |
| Words for Life | Words for Life |
| This website has information and ideas about talking and reading to children and is divided into age sections | |
| Resource library for families | Speech and Language UK |
| Factsheets, based on most frequently asked questions from parents, carers and practitioners regarding children with speech and language difficulties. | |
| Go for Gold | Dr Helen Willis, BATOD |
| Dr Helen Willis wrote this leaflet about empowering deaf children with cochlear implants to manage listening effort. Find it on the BATOD website | |
| NASA at Home | NASA |
| Here you will find a wide range of space themed activities for all ages. | |
| Twinkl | Twinkl |
| This teacher's website also has free downloadable resources for parents: For children aged 5-11, and for secondary aged children (Beyond area) | |
| Home learning Hub | Twinkl |
| This has lots of free resources divided into age groups |
Children with complex needs
In addition to the resources in the sections above, some websites provide specific resources and ideas for children with complex needs and disabilities.
| Resource | provider/source |
|---|---|
| Sense | Sense |
| An organisation supporting people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities. | |
| 150 sensory learning ideas | Inclusive teach |
| Scope | Scope |
| Provide advice and support for disabled people | |
| Other ways of speaking | Communication Matters |
| This short booklet provides information about children and young people who use a variety of different ways to communicate (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) | |
| Let your hands do the talking | Communication Matters |
| A leaflet about using signing for communication | |
| SEND Home learning resource pack | Twinkl |
| A resource pack designed to be used as a supplement to anything sent home by school; it contains activities at different levels with some symbol support. Set up a free account to download. |
Older children and teens
You may also find our resources for adults useful - find them in the drop-down section below.
| Improving communication for people with severe/profound hearing loss | NAIP |
| Includes advice and information about how to make the most of your hearing and what others can do to help when you cannot hear easily. It also includes information about useful organisations. | |
| Answers to Lillie's questions | NAIP |
| Answers to frequently asked questions | |
| National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) | NDCS |
| Information and support for families, deaf children and young people. | |
| Rehabilitation resources for teens and adults | Cochlear |
| Here you will find the 'Raising Confident Teens Toolkit', and video rehab resources. | |
| Bring Back the Beat | Cochlear |
| A fun app with different games to help people with cochlear implants to regain the joy of music. | |
| Advanced Bionics Rehab Portal | Advanced Bionics |
| Once you have registered for this free portal you can access information about a range of rehab resources including live webinairs. | |
| The Listening Room | Advanced Bionics |
| You need to register to create a free account and then you can access free activities from the appropriate age related sections. | |
| Sound Success | Advanced Bionics |
| Set up a free account (as for the rehab portal) to access this programme which includes exercises to help you better using your hearing technology. Work on your lap-top, iPad or tablet. | |
| Musical Atmospheres | Advanced Bionics |
| Set up a free account (as for the rehab portal) to access this interactive program designed to help teenagers and adults with cochlear implants explore the world of music. | |
| Med-el downloadable resources | MED-EL |
| A range of booklets and resources which can be downloaded from the support area of their website | |
| Med-el rehab apps | MED-EL |
| A range of rehab apps including 'Hear Today' available for apple or android. | |
| Med-el Blog | MED-EL |
| This blog has a range of tips and tricks for adults some of which are useful for older teens. | |
| How to deal with questions about your hearing implant | MED-EL |
| Tips on how to answer tricky questions from people about your hearing implant on the MED-EL blog. | |
| Secondary milestones poster | Speech and Language UK |
| This poster is an easy reference for teachers to understand children's speech and language development from 11-16 years | |
| Zone in | Words for Life |
| Tips on boosting reading, writing, speaking and listening skills for young adults. | |
| Go for Gold | Dr Helen Willis, BATOD |
| Dr Helen Willis wrote this leaflet about empowering deaf adults with cochlear implants to manage listening effort. Find it on the BATOD website | |
| Twinkl for secondary aged children (Beyond area) | Twinkl |
| This teacher's website also has free downloadable resources for parents. | |
| The Buzz | NDCS |
| A website for deaf young people with lots of information about daefness and identity, communication and British Sign Language. |
Adults
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
Improving communication for people with severe/profound hearing loss
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:
Information for family, friends and colleagues
C2Hear
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:
Communication is a Two Way Street
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 - Practising with audio books
Advanced Bionics Rehab Portal
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
Sound Success
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.
The Listening room
A range of lessons to help practise listening skills.
Cochlear Communication Corner
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
Medel Blog
This blog has a range of tips and tricks for adults to help develop listening skills and communication strategies.
How to deal with questions about your hearing implant
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:
Audible
TED talks (found on YouTube.com)
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
Musical Atmospheres
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.
Bring back the beat app
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.
Music Tips for Adults
A booklet available to download free from the Medel site.
Use virtual instruments to experiment and create your own music:
Piano keyboard
Drum machine
YouTube subtitled video 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
Telephone Training Tips
A booklet available to download free from the Medel site.
Phonak Tutorials
A range of video tutorials about hearing aids, radio aids (including Roger systems), hearing and well-being, and hearing loss communities.
Otter.ai
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.
Coffee shop and restaurant background noise
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.
National Cochlear Implant Users Association (NCIUA) - Living with a CI
Association of Teaching of Lipreading to Adults
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.