I felt that it would be helpful if I included an explanation of what a cochlear implant is and how it works. Instead of me explaining what a cochlear implant was and how it works, I decided to link to some wonderful websites that explain what a cochlear implant it, how it works and some other information that may be important to parents, teachers and other professionals. I will give you the title of the website and then give the web address for the site. I will then give a brief explanation of the site.

The Warren Otologic Group, Inc. (Warren, Ohio)
About the Cochlear Implant
http://www.wog.com/cochlear.html

This website is divided up into seven questions. The questions are: What is a cochlear implant?; How is a cochlear implant different from a hearing aid?; Who can benefit from a cochlear implant?; What does the cochlear implant look like?; How is it worn?; How does the implant system work?; and How does the ear normally function?. The information is very easy to understand. This information can be used by parents, teachers, and many other professionals.

The Deaf blind Link
Cochlear Implant
http://www.s55wilma.demon.co.uk/cochlear.html

This website is also divided up into two different sections, what is a cochlear implant, and the cochlear implant system. The first section is divided up into questions. These questions are: How is it different from a hearing aid or other devices that help people hear?; Who can benefit from using a cochlear implant?; General criteria for cochlear implant; What can be expected from using the cochlear implant?; What are the limitations of the cochlear implant?; What is involved in the pre-operative assessment for the cochlear implantation?; What are the risks of cochlear implant surgery?; and How much does the cochlear implant cost?. The second section gives pictures of a cochlear implant. It also gives a description of how a cochlear implant works. This is another very good site for parents, teachers and other professionals. The information is short and very easy to understand.

The House Ear Institute and Clinic (Los Angeles, California)
Considering a Cochlear Implant for your Child?
A Comprehensive List of Questions to Ask When Selecting Your Cochlear Implant Center
http://www.hei.org/hei/cocimqua.htm

This is a wonderful website for parents who are considering a cochlear implant for their child. The site lists questions that parents should ask when selecting a cochlear implant center. There are seven different topics that the parents can chose from. They are: general information; pre-evaluation; surgery; the mapping process; equipment; follow-up testing; and rehabilitation educational follow-up. Each topic lists several questions that the parents can ask the various implant centers when deciding on a center. Some of the questions will even help the parents decide for sure if they wish to implant their child.

Insights:

The above information was included because it will help one understand the rest of the information that is presented in this portfolio. It is important for teachers and other professionals, who will be working with a child with a cochlear implant, to understand what it is and how it works. This will give these professionals a better understanding of how the cochlear implant will allow the child to "hear". This information also allows these professionals to become familiar with the parts of the cochlear implant and how they work. The above websites are wonderful resources for parents, teachers, other professionals, and even children. These websites can be used to inform the child who will be getting the implant what it is, how it works, and about the surgery itself. They can also be used in the classroom to inform the other children what a cochlear implant is and how it works. It will allow these children to become an active participant in the education of the child with a cochlear implant.

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