Volume 1 Issue 5 December 2007 www.discoveringdeafworlds.com
DDW Visits Sydney Cochlear Implant Center language, not the sound itself. This month, DDW was invited to visCochlear implants are not an it the Sydney Cochlear Implant Center (SCIC) headquarters based in a former one-time-visit miracle ear. The surgery itself is permanent and SCIC hospital building that is now remodeled. ensures that clients who undergo We met with several intriguing people the surgery understand they are over the course of two days to learn more making a lifelong commitment to in depth about cochlear implants, includspeech therapy, audiology, counseling Rob McLeod of the Client Relationing, and any necessary remapping ships department, who showed us the of the implant. SCIC schedules latest models. regular appointments with their Hearing with the cochlear implant clients for such matters from the is not the same as how a hearing person Rob McLeod exhibits day of surgery for the rest of their would hear sounds. The technology has a Cochlear implant. lives, with a minimum of two visits improved tremendously over the past per year. three decades, filtering out interfering DDW had the opportunity to witness a “switch-on” sounds to make speech more clearly understood. While voices sound mechanical and robotic to a with an 11-year-old girl, who decided independenthearing person, one of the main purpose of the co- ly to get the implant. The “switch-on” was a two-day chlear implant is to identify the sounds to understand process in which the cochlear implant was turned on spoken language. The emphasis is on understanding SCIC, continued on page 2
What is DDW? Dave Justice and Christy Smith are traveling the world to learn and share stories of empowerment, inspiration, and connection between international Deaf communities. Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) is an opportunity to give deaf people worldwide a voice. For more information, photos, video logs, and newsletter stories, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com.
In Loving Memory of Emma Agnew Emma Agnew (1987-2007) of New Zealand was a leader, sister, daughter, friend, niece, netball star, writer, dreamer, and inspiration. Her presence is missed by many, but her spirit and impact on the world last forever!
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