Cochlear Implants

Students who can access spoken language through cochlear implants are eligible for speech and listening therapy. This therapy develops their abilities to comprehend language through listening and to speak as clearly as possible.

Students with cochlear implants generally receive therapy 2 to 4 times per week, depending on their academic schedules. Therapy is also available after school which allows for parent involvement.

Speech and listening therapy uses auditory training to develop comprehension of sounds, words, sentences and conversation in both structured and natural settings. In addition, the development of listening skills facilitates the use of Phonics as a means of improving reading and spelling skills. Therapy students also develop appreciation of music, and they are challenged by listening to telephone and computer-generated speech. 

The Word Associations for Syllable Perception (WASP) program is used during the early part of listening therapy to develop  discrimination , identification and comprehension skills. The use of auditory sandwiching (speech-sign-speech) allows for the use of sign language to clarify spoken language when necessary. As therapy continues, the students learn to process directions, answer questions, and follow conversations through listening, without the use of sign language or speech-reading. At the same time, the students work to improve the clarity of their speech.