HOPE Workshop - Helping Adults and Children with Cochlear Implants Enjoy Music: A One-Day Workshop for Professionals - Vancouver, BC

While no cochlear implant can replicate the natural hearing of music for adults and children with cochlear implants, there are strategies that can enhance music enjoyment. Music may not sound the same to a late deafened adult but music can nonetheless be a positive experience and a regular part of their life — just as it was before a recipient’s hearing declined.

Children who receive cochlear implants do not have the same preconceived notions (as adults) about how music should sound and they often do enjoy music right from the start. There are strategies that can help improve a child’s perception. Incorporating music into auditory therapy has a demonstrated role in enhancing speech perception and language learning, as well as adding enjoyment to children’s lives.

 This workshop for professionals moves beyond a past focus on the poor pitch perception capabilities of cochlear implant users and instead emphasizes the positive, especially strategies and practice tools that can enhance the music experience for those with “electric ears.” A new and unique rehabilitation tool created by musician and song writer Richard Reed—a cochlear implant recipient—will be reviewed and discussed. Richard will be one of the workshop trainers providing details on his own odyssey back to music and how he utilized his experiences to develop HOPE Notes. Each attendee at this professional workshop will receive a free copy of the HOPE Notes rehabilitation resource, which includes a DVD, CD, and user guide.

 Audience: This workshop is intended for professionals working with children, teens, and adults with cochlear implants either in a clinic, therapy or educational setting. Although the target groups for support are adults and children with cochlear implants, much of the information will also be beneficial to those working with adults and children with hearing aids or the Baha^® system.

 The cost for this workshop is $75 for professionals and $50 for students.  The cost includes HOPE Notes, as well as morning coffee, lunch and conference materials.