General (re)habilitation
(Re)habilitation is a very individual process depending on the history, age and progress of each child, and it is important that resources are used in consultation with a (re)habilitationist to be sure they are appropriate to the individual at the particular stage in their rehab that they are at.
Below are some links which may be helpful. We would always recommend discussing any potential (re)habilitation tool with your child’s implant key worker to check it would be suitable for them.
Information and support
- advancedbionics.com
- cochlear.com
- oticonmedical.com
- ndcs.org.uk
- hearinglink.org
- actiononhearingloss.org.uk
Speech training
Free audiobooks
- borrowbox.com – This is a free ebook and audiobook service operated via your local library service. You will need library membership and a code to activate an account.
Music (re)habilitation
Musical Atmospheres – Advanced Bionics
What: An interactive software tool to help adults with cochlear implants fully appreciate the music enjoyed in everyday life. The software provides five levels of complexity and 140 music tracks. The programme is intensive and requires a great deal of listening, users are advised to limit sessions to around 30 minutes a day.
The software is available to all AB recipients for FREE, (further information is available from the CI team for users of non-AB devices)
Where: Available from the Advanced Bionics website, you are required to create an account to access the programme.
Who: The programme is suitable for adults and older children.
Hope Notes – Cochlear
What: A programme developed for Cochlear implant and hearing aid users. The programme is designed to help improve music perception and appreciation using original songs and tunes played in unexpected ways.
Where: The Hope Notes package is available for purchase from the Cochlear website, and includes a CD (designed for on the go use), DVD (incorporating both visual and audio cues) and a detailed user guide (including lyrics designed to assist and enrich your use of the programme).
Who: The programme is suitable for adults and older children.
Interactive Music Awareness Programme (IMAP)
What: Developed and created by the University of Southampton Auditory Implant Programme, IMAP is an aural music rehabilitation programme designed with CI users in mind. It comprises 24 half hour sessions linked to an interactive programme which allows users to manipulate the music to their needs. Users can adjust the instrumental and vocal mixing, the pitch and speed of songs, and allows the user to select different melodies and instrument combinations.
Where: IMAP is available to download from the More from Music website.
Who: This programme is suitable for adults and older children.
YouTube – Songs with Lyrics
What: Listening to your favourite song with read along lyrics can help you to recognise rhythm and beat as well as speech. If you can find a video with the artist singing directly to camera even better!
Where: YouTube, simply search the title of the song you would like to listen to and add ‘lyrics’ on the end, for example ‘The Beatles Hey Jude Lyrics’.
Who: Anyone – listening with your child provides an interactive music experience and ensures access to appropriate content.
Shazam – Identification and lyrics app
What: Similar to YouTube, though available on the go. If you are out and hear a piece of music though cannot detect the lyrics, simply launch the app. Once the app has identified the music you are listening to it will provide links to lyrics, videos and related tracks. It also saves your ‘shazams’ so you can listen again later. Other apps such as SoundHound also provide similar features.
Where: Available through the App Store (iPhone/iPad), Google Play store (for Android) or the Microsoft Store (Windows phones).
Who: The app would be suitable for use by older children and adults.
NDCS – How to make music activities accessible for deaf children and young people
What: A guide designed to help music professionals develop confidence in supporting the music education of deaf children and young people. This resource provides clear guidance and information to ensure that professionals can design and deliver music activities in which deaf children and young people can fully participate.
Where: Available as a PDF download from the NDCS Website.
Who: Children of all ages. The document gives advice about supporting children in a wide range of situations including young children aged up to five years, individual and group instrumental tuition, singing and playing in a choir or band.
Music and the Deaf
What: Music and the Deaf is a UK charity entirely dedicated to providing access, education and opportunities in music for deaf children, young people and adults. The charity has organised projects such as the Deaf Youth Orchestra, Frequalise and The FORTE Ensemble. They aim to raise awareness of the issues and difficulties surrounding deafness, and encourage and support deaf individuals in their musical learning.
Where: Workshops in schools and in the community, teacher training as well as presentations and performances.
Who: Aimed at children and young people, although workshops and presentations are available to adults and professionals.