Welcome to the site. This resource provides information to help increase your confidence in knowing what a cochlear implant is, and how it works. There are also some useful tips and guidance on how to support a patient with a cochlear implant.

The course is designed to be completed in small bite-size sections so that you can complete each one at a time convenient to you. In addition, the site has been broken up into age groups so that you can choose to access the sections that are relevant to the person you are supporting (pre-school, primary school, secondary school/college, and adults).

If you have any queries about the site or need any further help please feel free to contact us at AIS.training@soton.ac.uk.

For more information about the service, please visit the main website at https://ais.southampton.ac.uk/workshops/.

How to start the course

Step 1: Register your account

In order to start the course and receive a certificate in your name, you will first need to Register from the link in the top right of the Welcome page. Enter any username you wish to use and complete the fields. Your first name and surname will appear on your certificates, so please ensure these are correct. You will be sent a confirmation email that you've registered the account.

Step 2: Enrol on the final section relevant to you

You will automatically be enrolled on the four main sections (Normal Hearing, The Cochlear Implant, Troubleshooting, and Improve the Listening Environment). You then need only enrol and complete one of the last sections: pre-school, primary, secondary school, or adults (the most appropriate setting for you) in order to gain a certificate in that area.

The full content is outlined below. To get started, visit 'My sections' above and then enrol on the section appropriate for you.

Main course content

1. Normal Hearing

(20 minutes)

1. What is normal hearing and how does it work?
2. What are the main parts of the ear?
3. What are the types of hearing loss?

2. The Cochlear Implant

(40 minutes)

1. What is a cochlear implant?
2. How does it work?
3. The assessment process.
4. What does a cochlear implant sound like?
5. Who manufactures cochlear implants?

3. Troubleshooting

(10 minutes)

1. How can I check that the cochlear implant is working?
2. Listening checks.
3. What do I do when there is a problem?
4. How can I get spare or replacement equipment?

4. Improve the listening environment

(30 minutes)

1. Optimal conditions for listening.
2. Challenges of listening.
3. Room acoustics.
4. Practical tips.

You need only select one (the most appropriate setting for you) and complete this in order to gain a certificate in that area.

5. Pre-school education

(15 minutes)

1. Introduction to pre-school children in education
2. Communication options
3. Early days
4. Language development
5. Social interaction
6. Resources to support staff

6. Primary school education

(15 minutes)

1. Introduction to primary school children in education setting
2. Communication options
3. Early days
4. Language development
5. Social interaction
6. Resources to support staff

7. Secondary school education

(15 minutes)

1. Introduction to secondary school children in education
2. Communication options
3. Language and learning
4. Social and emotional support
5. Preparing for exams
6. Moving on from school
7. Working together

8. Supporting adults

(15 minutes)

1. Introduction to adults with cochlear implants
2. Supporting progress - early days post implant
3. Factors affecting progress
4. Ideas for listening practise
5. How to communicate with an implant user
6. Assistive listening devices and streaming

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