MOSD Audiologists
provide therapy each day to children who have cochlear implants
During these sessions, children learn to use the auditory information
provided through the cochlear implant in order to learn to
listen, and to talk. MOSD students receive cochlear implant
mapping and monitoring on site. To date MOSD has has served
over fifty children with cochlear implants.
In 1990, the FDA authorized cochlear implantation for totally deaf children.
The cochlear implant by-passes the damaged area of the inner ear and provides
direct electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve. This provides hearing sensation
to those deaf children who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids. Many
of these children, are experiencing hearing for the FIRST time in their lives.
This
miracle is not the result of the implant alone. Specialized
training is needed to enable these children to interpret
the new sounds which they hear. Cooperative planning between
the medical and educational settings is essential in assuring
the success of these children.
Memphis
Oral School for the Deaf is committed to providing educational
resources to the medical community. In addition, MOSD
can provide educational back-up and outreach services
to any child with a cochlear implant in the Mid-South
area. Cochlear implant mapping and monitoring services
are also available on an out-patient basis for children
not attending MOSD.
Elizabeth Domico, M.S., CCC-A, formerly the cochlear implant
program coordinator at Shea Ear Clinic, joined the MOSD staff in January
2000. She has worked with cochlear implant patients since 1985 and
has had extensive experience programming cochlear implant systems.
On-site programming at MOSD allows the teachers, therapists, and Ms.
Domico to evaluate and refine a child's speech processor program to
achieve maximum benefit. Ms. Domico also provides programming and
assessment services to area children not attending the school. For
more information about cochlear implant services at MOSD, please
contact Ms. Domico at 901-758-2228.
Speech and Language
Speech/Language Therapists
on staff provide sessions daily with MOSD students developing speech/articulation
skills, as well as coordinating with and complementing the language skills
the children are receiving daily in the classroom.
They also work closely with teachers and audiologists to plan individual
spoeech and language goals for each student.
A therapist
from MOSD is available to provide speech therapy to hearing-impaired children
enrolled in private school mainstream settings.
In 1990, the FDA authorized cochlear implantation for totally deaf children.
The cochlear implant by-passes the damaged area of the inner ear and provides
direct electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve. This provides hearing sensation
to those deaf children who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids. Many
of these children, are experiencing hearing for the FIRST time in their lives.