Bionic Ears for Kids brochure

AB’s Commitment to You
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info@AdvancedBionics.com
EUROPE
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+33.3.89.65.98.00
+33.3.89.65.50.05 Fax
europe@AdvancedBionics.com
WATCH
The Adventures of Bionic Buddy
This fun, informative DVD illustrates Bionic
Buddy’s journey to hearing.
You and your child can join Buddy as he
chooses, receives, and learns to listen with his
new bionic ear! Meet his family and everyone
who helps him each step of the way. See why
his cochlear implant makes him “the happiest
monkey in the world!”
ASIA-PACIFIC
Advanced Bionics
Asia-Pacific Limited
Suite 4203 42/F, Tower One, Lippo Centre
89 Queensway, Hong Kong
852.2526.7668
852.2526.7628 Fax
AP@AdvancedBionics.com
LATIN AMERICA
Advanced Bionics
28515 Westinghouse Place
Valencia, CA 91355 USA
+1.661.362.1723
+1.661.362.4604 Fax
LA@AdvancedBionics.com
JAN10_3-01103-A-Rev1
2010 Advanced Bionics, LLC and its affiliates.
©
All rights reserved.
Request Information
Get information on AB
products; educational
materials, resources and
references; news and events;
and a whole lot more.
Comprehensive Warranty
Your internal implant is
covered for 10 years; the
external processor for three
years, including a one-time
loss and damage coverage.
Technical Support Hotline
Highly trained representatives
provide immediate assistance
12 hours a day (5 a.m. – 5
p.m. PST), Monday through
Friday—with emergency
paging access on weekends.
Clinic Finder
AB offers a comprehensive
listing of cochlear implant
clinics around the world.
Insurance
Reimbursement Services
AB’s insurance experts
provide comprehensive
assistance including
reviews of your coverage,
pre-authorization services,
direct billing, and help with
Medicare.
Webstore
Convenient, 24/7 online
shopping for parts and
accessories.
By Advanced Bionics
48-Hour Product
Replacement
Should any part of your
system break, AB will
ship you the necessary
replacement part(s)
within 48 hours (two
business days).
Online Chat Support
Along with phone support,
AB also offers online chat
support for technical or
general assistance, as well
as any other questions you
may have.
Helping Little Ears Hear BIG!
choosing the Right Cochlear Implant System for Your Child
glue area
“Without his Harmony cochlear implant,
Michael Kade wouldn’t have any language
skills, and he wouldn’t be going to a
mainstream school. The implant has
helped tremendously. He’s at grade
level in every subject. He uses no signs;
he’s mainstream on everything. It’s just
amazing—a miracle. It’s the best piece
of equipment, in my opinion, that’s ever
been made.”
—Michael Fotta, father of Michael Kade
Fotta, implanted at age 2
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glue area
Children begin learning to speak from the day they’re born. By
age 3, they need to hear approximately 30,000 words a day to
develop the language skills necessary to succeed in school. This
need to hear language strongly reinforces the importance of
early implantation in children with deafness or hearing loss who
would benefit from cochlear implants.1
the opportunity to hear the details that make the world of sound so
rich—the singing of birds, the nuances of a conversation, the
complexities and layers of a piece of music, and so much more. By
choosing AB, an industry leader since 1993 and the only U.S.
manufacturer of cochlear implants, you’ll enjoy peace of mind
knowing AB is there for you and your child whenever you need
us­—today and tomorrow.
Selecting which cochlear implant is right for your child is a
significant decision. For something as critical as the ability to
hear, you don’t want to compromise on quality or performance.
You want your child to have the most technologically advanced,
best-performing cochlear implant available. You need a reliable
company you can count on to be by your and your child’s side
throughout the implantation process—one with a proven track
record of success for thousands of children around the world.
The Harmony™ HiResolution™ Bionic Ear System from Advanced
Bionics is the best choice of cochlear implant system for your child.
Only Harmony uses the most sophisticated technology to deliver
the clearer, higher-resolution sound. With Harmony, your child has
1. Hart B, Risley TR. 1995. Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children. Brooks Publishing Co, Inc., Baltimore, MD.
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The Harmony ™ HiResolution™ Bionic Ear System
Harmony provides a wide range of features for unparalleled convenience and performance. This comfortable
behind-the-ear option has a sleek design with multiple, interchangeable, snap-on accent caps and covers.
Sleek Headpiece Design
User-Friendly Controls
•Easy to conceal, small and discreet
•Volume wheel provides visual markings for
parents or teachers
•Ultra-light for comfort, convenience,
and retention
•Multiple, interchangeable, snap-on
accent caps and covers
•Programs are changed using a three-position
program switch
Built-In Diagnostics
•A green light indicates that the
processor is processing sound
and is working correctly
•An orange light indicates there is
low battery power
•A red light indicates the processor
is unable to lock to your implant or
that there may be a problem with
the processor
•Internal electronics are designed with a
waterproof barrier
•Easy-to-change power options slide on quickly
•PowerCel™ Slim, PowerCel Plus, off-the-ear
PowerCel Adapter*
*Off-the-ear power option is not approved for use
in the United States.
Giving Kids the Advantages
Needed in the Real World
Many times we laugh at what a child says and comment,
“I wonder where he learned that?” The fact is most of what
children learn is overheard. They learn not only what is
taught at school, but also what is learned just by living in
the everyday world of sound.2 Unfortunately, most cochlear
implants were designed to function best in quiet, soundbooth, or laboratory-like conditions. But your child needs
to hear in real-world situations and in settings like noisy
classrooms, playgrounds, and music recitals.
Harmony was designed to work effectively virtually
everywhere, including environments where hearing well
even with two healthy ears—can be challenging.
Water Resistance—Guaranteed
Convenient Power Options
EXTRAORDINARY HEARING for Kids
Simple, Easy Connections
•One-of-a-kind input allows the earhook to transform
into a valuable audio or diagnostic accessory
•Audio earhook options easily snap on and off, saving
you time and fuss
2. Warwick, E. 1997. In Praise of Incidental Learning: Lessons from Some Empirical Findings on Language Acquisition. National Research Center on English Learning and Achievement.
Series 4.9 Albany, NY.
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THE HARMONY ADVANTAGE
From the moment you were expecting your child’s arrival into
the world, you wanted nothing but the best for them. From
choosing the right car seat to choosing the right school, you
wouldn’t dream of compromising. Choosing a cochlear implant
should be no different.
Any cochlear implant will allow your child to hear, but AB’s
Harmony is designed to allow them to live, laugh, and learn the
most like normal-hearing children. Here is how the Harmony
Advantage delivers the best performance for your child:
Harmony Helps Your Child Develop Intelligible Speech
With HiResolution Sound
Children need to hear the words, inflections, and patterns
essential for developing strong speech skills. No cochlear
implant system delivers sound
with as much fidelity and
resolution as Harmony with
HiResolution sound. In fact,
HiResolution Sound helps your child to
hear their best in the real world
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Harmony delivers sound with five times more resolution than
any other cochlear implant system. Harmony’s superior
technology was designed to allow your child to hear their best
in the real world providing the closest to normal hearing of any
cochlear implant system. So your child hears all the details
necessary to develop clear, strong speech patterns and excel
academically like their normal-hearing peers. And with flexible
programming options, HiResolution can be customized to best
suit your child’s unique hearing needs.
Harmony Offers Hands-Free Convenience
With AutoSound™ Processing
Normal-hearing ears adjust to every environment as children
move throughout their busy days. AutoSound replicates this
advantage of natural hearing. As you take your 14-month-old
from an exciting play date to a
crowded restaurant then sing
them to sleep with a lullaby,
you won’t have to fiddle behind
AutoSound allows your child to hear
their best no matter where they are
their ear or with a remote control to adjust to the changing
environment. Only the Harmony System has AutoSound,
which automatically adapts, optimizing volume and sound
quality just like a normal-hearing ear. No fumbling with dials
or remote controls or constantly making adjustments to
keep up with changing audio levels like with other cochlear
implant systems. Just set it and forget it!
AutoSound continues to support your child as they grow.
School-age kids naturally have a hard enough time focusing
in a classroom without the additional distraction of needing
to make continual adjustments to their cochlear implant’s
processor. Your child’s teachers don’t need to worry that
important lessons aren’t being heard. And your child hears
best no matter where they are—in a classroom, at the
movies, or at a ball game.
Harmony Natural Placement for More Natural Hearing
With T-Mic™ Microphone
When they finally get one of their very own, your child will
want to use their iPod or cell phone the same way kids with
normal hearing do—without wires, cables, special adapters, or
connectors. Harmony is the only system that places the
microphone where it should be, at the opening of the ear. The
result of this natural placement is highly focused, more effortless
listening. It also makes Harmony the only cochlear implant
system that allows your child to enjoy wireless connectivity with
telephones (including popular hands-free headsets such as
Bluetooth®), MP3 players, and other audio devices, for instance
FM systems frequently used in classrooms.
The Harmony Advantage helps your child hear their best
everywhere, every time.
T-Mic allows your child to enjoy wireless
connectivity to telephones, music players,
and other audio devices.
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HARMONY™— Narrowing the “Language Gap”
“Emily’s above grade level for all of her
subjects, including her reading and
comprehension. Her teachers don’t have
to mess with switching out programs,
which we like, because we don’t want the
teachers messing with her processor…
Emily knows how to do everything with
it: she changes her batteries, she takes
care of all of it herself. It’s an easy
system to use, so kids can start early,
taking care of it themselves, which I’m a
big proponent of.”
—Helen Cartwright, mother of Emily.
Emily was implanted at age 13 months,
bilaterally implanted at age 6
Teaching children a second language is generally
easier before the age of three. Toddlers naturally pick
up languages quickly, whereas adults often struggle
to learn more than a few useful phrases in a foreign
language. This is because a child’s developing brain
and always-listening ears are particularly receptive to
language comprehension.
Children who are born deaf or lose their hearing before
the age of three can experience a significant delay in
language development. Without a cochlear implant,
the “language gap” between them and their normalhearing peers can continue to widen as they mature.
This gap may be significantly narrowed or even closed
by choosing one or two bionic ears for your young child.
With a cochlear implant, a child who once required
special education may transition to mainstream classes
and, depending on their abilities, perform at or even
above grade level. Harmony’s sophisticated technology
gives children the opportunity to hear their best and
benefit from learning alongside their peers with
normal hearing.
HARMONY— Intelligent, Effortless, Clear — HEAR MORE!
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
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HARMONY™ — Designed with Music in Mind
Greater Music Appreciation
Helps Kids Succeed
According to former U.S. President Bill Clinton, “Music is
about communication, creativity and cooperation, and, by
studying music in school, students have the opportunity
to build on these skills, enrich their lives, and experience
the world from a new perspective.” Harmony is designed
to capture and deliver the full musical experience—
harmonies, melodies and all the details, layers and
complexities that make music so textured and rich. So
your child hears music the way it’s performed or recorded,
just like everyone else.
Why is Music So Important for My Child’s Development?
The National Association for Music Education states that music
education benefits children in four key areas.3
Success in Developing Intelligence
Studies show that young children who take music lessons or master a musical instrument
have better memory, increased IQ, and an improved ability with spoken language.
Success in School and Learning
Students involved in music education are more likely to experience higher graduation
rates and score higher on standardized tests.
Success in Society
Children who have music as a part of their lives are more likely to develop a greater sense
of culture, and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
Success in Life
Studies suggest that music education helps children develop much-needed creative
thinking, problem solving and communications skills, have increased self-esteem, and
enjoy a higher earning potential as adults.
3. MENC—The National Association for Music Education, Why Music Education? 2007.
“Brandyn’s so good at the piano that after a short time of practice, he can play a song entirely from memory. I won’t be surprised if he
grows up to be a professional musician.”
—Melissa Li, mother of Brandyn, implanted at age 16 months
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KID-FRIENDLY DESIGN — Light and Easy on Little Ears
HEAR WHAT PARENTS Are Saying
A good cochlear implant is like a referee at a sporting event: when it’s doing its job right, you shouldn’t even notice it’s there. AB has
designed Harmony to be as intuitive and kid-friendly as possible. So your child can focus on listening instead of preparing to listen.
•Flexible wearing options are designed to grow with your child
from infancy to adulthood.
•Fully programmable childproof controls are easy to see
and use.
•Environmentally friendly, “green” power options are easy
to change, rechargeable, cost effective, and available in
two sizes.
“When I was researching implants, I found a study that
explained that kids with Advanced Bionics implants can
progress much more quickly than kids with other types
of implants.”
—Derrick Beasley, father of Lola, implanted at age 19 months
•AB’s proprietary IntelliLink™ safety feature protects and
provides peace of mind by:
—Ensuring that the Harmony processor sends
information only to your child’s implant
—Preventing stimulation if processors are accidentally
swapped between users
—Preventing processor ear mismatches in bilateral
Harmony users
“When Brooke got her first implant, I felt like new doors had
been opened for her and that her life was going to be more
normal.”
—Pam Garnett, mother of Brooke, implanted at age 4,
bilaterally implanted at age 7
“Because of our son’s implant, he went from not being able
to hear a jet plane power up to being able to hear a cat
purr. When parents of deaf children ask us what we think
of the implant, we tell them, ‘Just get one!’”
—Margene Bolingbroke, mother of Nathan,
implanted at age 4
•Built-in diagnostic light provides important information at
a glance to you, your child, or your child’s teacher, including
battery and communication status.
Jamal Spencer, implanted at age 3, shooting hoops with his dad
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
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Your Child’s Life in SURROUND
REal science
SOUND
Two Ears Hear Better than One
Better Sound Localization
While a single cochlear implant will help your child enormously, two cochlear
implants provide very important and measurable advantages.4,5 Bilateral cochlear
implants allow your child to:
•Hear better in noisy environments like the classroom or on the playground.
Bilateral hearing allows them to focus on the important things like school
and play!
•Develop more natural speech. Early childhood is the most critical period for
speech and language development. Bilateral cochlear implants deliver more
audio stimulation to your child’s brain during this critical time for optimal
speech development.
•“Localize” sound more easily. Your child will be better able to determine the
location of a sound and turn to it more quickly and accurately, giving you
greater peace of mind.
•Listen with less effort.
•Not have to worry about where to sit in a classroom to hear well. With two
cochlear implants, your child will always be positioned to capture sound.
4.Dunn C, et al. 2008. Comparison of Speech Recognition and Localization Performance in
Bilateral and Unilateral Cochlear Implant Users Matched on Duration of Deafness at Age of
Implantation. Ear and Hearing. 29 (3): 352-359.
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
5. Zeitler D, et al. 2008. Speech Perception Benefits of Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implantation in Children and Adults: A Retrospective Analysis. Otology & Neurotology. 29 (3): 314-325.
“We knew from the very beginning that
we were going to go with two implants.
Common sense tells us that two ears are
better than one! But more than this, we
did our own research, reading medical
journals and attending symposiums held
by leaders in cochlear implant research.
All the experts seem to agree that
bilateral implantation at an early age
allows hearing-impaired children to
catch up to hearing children. The main
message we want to convey to families
is that hearing loss is not the end of the
world—and with AB, there is hope.”
—Sandra Marcovic, mother of Andrej,
implanted bilaterally as an infant
6. Koch DB, Soli SD, Downing M, Osberger MJ. Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implantation:
Prospective Study in Adults. Presentation at the American Neurotology Society, San Diego,
California, April 24, 2007.
Percent correct ability to determine sounds coming from left
vs. sounds coming from right for 15 adults implanted with two
AB implants at the same time. All subjects heard at chance
levels when using only one implant, but were able to localize
sounds when listening with both implants.6
Better Word Recognition
Mean word recognition scores for 15 adults implanted with
two AB implants at the same time. Recipients were tested with
each ear alone and with both ears together 3, 6, and 8 months
after implantation. All subjects heard better with both implants
together than with either implant alone—even in quiet.
Normal-hearing listener results are shown for comparison.
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RELIABLE — Built Kid Tough!
HARMONY™— Made for the Real World, Made to Last
As a parent, you want to choose not only the best performing cochlear implant system for your
child, but you also want to ensure it meets the highest quality standards possible. Rest assured
that AB has built Harmony to be “Kid Tough” so it can survive real-world conditions. AB cochlear
implant systems feature:
• Highest Internal Reliability. The AB cochlear implants being implanted today demonstrate
a very high level of reliability with a 99.6%5 two-year Cumulative Survival Rate (CSR), an
international standard that conveys the likelihood of a device continuing to function over time.
• Highest External Reliability. The Harmony BTE has a low external processor failure rate of less
than 1%,7 the lowest of all cochlear implant manufacturers. You can count on Harmony to keep
your child hearing at their best, day in and day out.
• Advanced Water Protection that’s Guaranteed. All of Harmony BTE’s internal electronics
feature two-fold advanced water protection: (1) a Xylex™ case that resists water penetration and
(2) a special coating that provides a waterproof barrier. AB is so confident that this protection will
keep these delicate electronics safe that AB backs it with a three-year warranty.
7. Advanced Bionics Consumer Reliability Report, 2009
Xylex is a trademark of The General Electric Company.
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
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FULLY UPGRADEABLE — Designed with “Headroom”
Cochlear implant technology is continually advancing, helping to
improve performance, ergonomics, and overall quality in cochlear
implant systems. AB understands that no parent wants a child to
go through all the trouble of receiving a cochlear implant only to
discover that a new model has become available only a few months
later. That’s why AB has designed its Harmony System to be fully
upgradeable. With Harmony, you enjoy peace of mind knowing that:
•AB has a proven track record of sound-processing upgrades and
product innovation.
•Products are designed with technological “headroom” so that software
upgrades are possible without the need for surgery.
So Your Child Can Upgrade without Additional Surgery
“It was super important to us that the implant
we chose be one that could be upgraded down
the road. We like that Advanced Bionics lets you
upgrade just by installing new software in the
processor rather than going through another
surgery inside Carson’s head.”
—Cindy Roller, mother of Carson, bilaterally
implanted as an infant
•Your child will be able to take advantage of tomorrow’s
sound-processing innovations with today’s implant.
AB is committed to delivering lifelong service and innovations to tens of
thousands of families who have trusted its cochlear implants to restore
the hearing of their children. You can count on AB to keep your child
hearing at their best, day in and day out.
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Show Off Your Child’s TRUE
COLORS
With HARMONY...
Kids Can Express Themselves with a Wide Array of Colors and Patterns!
A Variety of Color Options to Fit Your Child’s Life
and Style
With a selection of 20 colorful Harmony caps and covers,
kids can customize the look of their processor modules and
headpieces. Choose a neutral, solid color to blend with the
color of their skin and hair, or a bold pattern in vivid colors
to make a statement. By mixing and matching Harmony
caps and covers, your child can create a look that’s just right
for him or her.
Skinit® for Harmony Processors Now Available
Skinit designs allow kids to make processors as unique as
they are. With hundreds of designs, favorite sports teams,
entertainment figures, and works of art, your child can create
an entirely personalized look for their Harmony processor.
There’s even a special customization feature so that your
child can design elements, create text, or upload their own
graphics for a completely unique look.
Skinit is a registered trademark of Skinit, Inc.
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
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With flexible wearing options, the Harmony System adapts to your child’s
needs from infancy to adulthood. Start with a secure and lightweight
nothing-on-the-ear option and transition to a full on-the-ear system as
your child grows.
FLEXIBLE Wearing Options
Nothing-on-the-Ear
Platinum Series™ Processor (PSP)
This discreet yet durable choice keeps
everything off little ears. Like the
Harmony processor, it features the
HiResolution sound and AutoSound
Processing ideal for young children
learning language.
In addition to unmatched hearing
performance, the PSP also has a long
battery life and tactile controls that
are easy for parents or teachers to see
and feel. For added peace of mind,
there is a programmable control lock
to eliminate accidental changes to
the volume as well as optional audible
and visual alarms that indicate sound
transmission issues.
Some-on-the-Ear
Harmony BTE with PowerCel™ Adapter*
Ideal for small ears and active lifestyles!
You can wear the battery completely
off-the-ear. This bilateral-ready option
can power two Harmony BTEs from a
single battery for added comfort and
convenience.
Kinder Clip™
The Kinder Clip allows Harmony to
grow with your child, enabling the
processor to be worn completely
off-the-ear and on the collar or
shirt instead. Customizable for your
preferred power option.
“The Kinder Clips are a life saver! Brooke is playing volleyball now and she is doing great
with them on! She uses them for P.E. and dance!”
—Pamela and Edward Garnett, parents of Brooke, implanted at age 3, bilaterally
implanted at age 7
*The Some-on-the-Ear power option configuration
of the Harmony processor is not approved for use
in the United States.
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
All-on-the-Ear
Harmony BTE
This comfortable behind-the-ear option
features a sleek and convenient design.
HARMONY wearing options provide flexibility, comfort, security,
and convenience for all ages and active lifestyles
BIONIC EARS for Kids
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AB’s KINDER SERIES™
Accessories Designed to Help Little Ears
HEAR BIG!
Single or Bilateral Harness
Control Panel Cover
Bionic Buddy Critter Clip
Harnesses, made of soft materials with padded pouches for
added protection, come with one or two pouches designed to
hold a PSP and enough room to accommodate accessories.
Adjustable straps provide a wide range of fit, while cable loops
on the straps help keep the headpiece in place. The single
harness comes in dark blue. Bilateral harnesses are available
in pink or blue.
Keeps little fingers from playing with the
dials on a PSP. Program and volume settings
can also be locked through software.
The critter clip is a fun way to attach a
processor to a child’s clothing for added
security. If the processor is knocked
off the ear, it won’t go far. Available in
single and bilateral versions.
Microphone Tester Earphones
Tests the functionality of your child’s
PSP microphone system.
Snuggie™
Provides a secure fit of the processor to
the ear for active children. Available in
packages of three.
Bilateral Harness (blue or pink)
Single Harness (dark blue)
Four-year-old Kaitlyn Hilson,
wearing a small T-Mic microphone,
Kinder Cap Accent Caps, and Snuggie.
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
EARHOOKS
Sized Just Right for Kids to Connect to Their World
Standard Earhook —
Secures the processor
on-the-ear and utilizes the built-in microphone on
the processor module. All Harmony earhooks are
available in standard and small sizes to comfortably
fit your child’s ear.
T-Mic Microphone — Puts the microphone in
the most optimal listening position possible. Provides
effortless access to phones, MP3 players, and other
popular consumer electronic devices. Improves
hearing in noisy environments with enhanced
directional hearing.
iConnect — Provides
™
cable-free connections
to commonly used FM systems without interfering
with head movements.
“We wanted to make Jamal seem
as normal as possible. AB gave him
that with the design of their product
and the ability to make it fun.”
—Alicia Spencer, mother of Jamal,
implanted at age 3
Direct Connect™— Connect
to a variety of
assistive listening devices using a detachable cable.
The ONLY System with Simple, Wireless Connectivity
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
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The BIONIC EAR ASSOCIATION
The journey to better hearing for your child is an exciting one,
rich with opportunity and possibility. Committed to improving
the quality of life of children impacted by hearing loss, AB
created the Bionic Ear Association (BEA), a valuable support
network whose mission is to be there for you and your child
every step of the way.
The needs of your family come first with the BEA. Comprised of
highly professional staff members and a great team of cochlear
implant recipients, this network of dedicated people can provide
you with valuable information, education, and guidance.
When your child becomes the recipient of an AB
cochlear implant, you also become a part of the
cochlear implant community. The BEA offers an instant,
online connection with other cochlear implant families at
www.HearingJourney.com. You can also access the latest
news, stories, and events concerning cochlear implants online
at the BEA’s website, www.BionicEar.com.
A Community of Lifelong Support for You and Your Child
Receiving a cochlear implant is just the beginning of your
child’s journey to hearing. Like any new activity, hearing takes
practice, patience, and persistence. The BEA offers many tools,
educational resources, and training to help your child achieve
their hearing potential. Some of these programs include:
eLearning — Online classes and interactive learning modules
uniquely designed to fit your child’s educational needs
Tools for Schools™— A program that provides tools and
resources for educators, therapists, and parents to help children
with cochlear implants succeed in school
The Listening Room™— An online resource providing a steady
stream of interactive listening activities and resources for infants,
children, and teens
Contact the BEA by calling 866.844.HEAR (4327) or emailing
hear@AdvancedBionics.com.
WE’RE HERE SO YOU HEAR
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MEET THE BIONIC FAMILY!
A Family that’s Been There is Here for You
AB created Bionic Buddy, Melody, and the whole Bionic
family (Mom, Dad, JoJo, and dog Huckleberry) to help
children better understand the process of getting one
or two cochlear implants. Through these fun, animated
characters, parents, as well as clinicians and surgeons,
can help explain cochlear implant systems, the implant
process, and what to expect after surgery in a way children
can easily understand. Seeing that Buddy and Melody
have been through the same journey can help to calm
your child’s fears or concerns.
Bionic Buddy and Melody help comfort kids and their
families in a number of ways including: fun coloring
books and calendars, stuffed Buddy or Melody toys given
to children prior to surgery, and more.
Watch The Adventures of Bionic Buddy DVD
enclosed in the back of this brochure.
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BIONIC EARS for Kids
BIONIC EARS for Kids
31
MAKE a CONNECTION
TAKE the NEXT STEP
Ready to learn more about how a cochlear implant system from AB can help your child hear their best? The process is easy, and the
BEA will make it even easier by helping you with each and every step.
AB created Bionic Buddy, Melody, and the whole Bionic family (Mom,
Dad,
JoJo,started,
and dog simply:
Huckleberry) to help children better understand the
To get
process of getting a cochlear implant. Through these fun, animated
1.Discoverparents
if your as
child
a clinicians
candidate.and
Check
with acan
qualified
audiologist and your insurance company. To locate a center near
characters,
wellisas
surgeons,
help explain
you, and/or
to find
insurance
authorization,
contact
the BEA for a list of clinics worldwide.
cochlear
implants,
thesupport
implantfor
process
and what
to expect after
surgery
Is Your Child a Candidate for a Cochlear Implant?
in a way children can easily understand. Seeing that Buddy and Melody
2.Learn
about
implants
children
byyour
connecting
with the parent of a recipient. Contact the Bionic Ear Association
have
beenmore
through
thecochlear
same journey
canfor
help
to calm
child’s fears
or apprehensions.
today and request a personal mentor or connect online.
Does your child avoid social interaction or lack the appropriate
Yes
No
skills to interact with other children or adults?
3. Ask for
a FREE
Yourhelp
World
with Harmony
which
includes
Bionic
Buddy
andHear
Melody
comfort
kids andKit,
their
families
in amore information about the Harmony HiResolution Bionic Ear
Systemofand
a special
DVD books
that documents
the personal
journeys
number
ways:
fun coloring
and calendars,
stuffed Buddy
andof many adults and children with bionic ears. To request your
free
kit,
contact
the
BEA
now.
Melody toys given to children prior to surgery, just to name a few. To
see how Buddy, Melody, and the Bionic family can help your family, visit
Call thewebpage
Bionic Ear
Association at 866.844.HEAR (4327), visit BionicEar.com, or email hear@AdvancedBionics.com.
Buddy’s
at www.BionicEar.com.
CONNECT TODAY.
32
BIONIC EARS for Kids
Does your child have delayed speech and language development
as a result of their hearing loss? Yes
No
Does your child rarely respond to their name?
Yes
No
Do you have concerns about your child’s ability to hear speech in
Yes
No
noisy environments?
Do you have concerns about your child’s ability to participate and
succeed in school with normal-hearing peers?
Yes
No
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, your
child may benefit from cochlear implants.
One of the best resources for learning more about what to expect
on your child’s journey to better hearing is a parent who’s gone
through the process and can relate to what your family is going
through now. Through the BEA Mentor Program, you can directly
connect with the parent of another cochlear implant recipient
who can assist you in navigating the process of choosing and living
with cochlear implants.
•Call the Bionic Ear Association Hotline at
866.844.HEAR (4327).
The BEA hotline is staffed by experienced cochlear implant
audiologists who can answer your questions, provide support,
and connect you with a recipient to be your personal mentor.
•Connect with a Mentor Online
(www.BionicEar.com).
Read the stories and profiles of many bionic ear recipients
who volunteer as personal mentors. From these profiles,
you can select a mentor who you feel might best
understand your own experience. Once you’ve identified a
mentor it’s easy to initiate an online communication.
•Join the Hearing Journey® Online Community
(www.HearingJourney.com).
Share your own experience with other recipients and candidates.
•Find a BEA Chapter or Local Seminar/Event
(www.BionicEar.com).
You can personally meet recipients in your region who will
help you learn more about life with a bionic ear. Make new
friends with whom you can share your journey.
BIONIC EARS for Kids
33
The ADVENTURES of
Prepare Your Child
Children are happier when they know what’s
going on. AB gives all children receiving
an implant a Bionic Buddy or Melody
stuffed monkey and a coloring book. These
materials help educate your child about the
process and can provide comfort to him
or her along the way. If you haven’t received
one, be sure to ask the BEA. Most children
latch onto Bionic Buddy or Melody, who
can become your child’s best pal during
this process.
Contact the Bionic Ear Association
to find out more!
Call: 866.844.HEAR(4327)
Email: hear@AdvancedBionics.com
Online: www.BionicEar.com
34
BIONIC EARS for Kids
BIONIC BUDDY