March 5th 2025-Club Meeting- Baker Institute for Children with Hearing Loss at Stanford Univ.

Julie Cooper, MS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVT

Julie Cooper enlightened us on the impacts of hearing and how it plays into the development of children.  With the Cochlear Implant, people of all ages are hearing clearly and changing their futures.  It began in 1961 when the first single channel cochlear implant was introduced to the market.  From there developments created a multi-channel implant and testing allowed this technology to be used in children.  In 1990 the implant was approved for children 24 months or older. In 2020, due to advancements the FDA approved the use in children down to 9 months.  With hearing being a critical element to full learning and development in young kids, this technology has improved the lives of many people.  In the USA, this technology is available to most.  However in other countries it is less available. So Julie spoke about the work they are doing to bring this life changing technology to others around the world.  Currently there are collaborating programs in Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Peru, Bhutan, India, Jordan, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.   Some of the regions have a higher risk of exposure to diseases which increase the impacts of hearing loss by 10 times.  Julie explained some of the barriers of getting a cochlear implant, anything from demographics, to insurance coverage.  Finding ways to navigate these issues in order to reach all the corners of the world keep her team very busy.  In an effort to continue educating the doctors, patients and parents on how to maximize the implant.  Julie and her team hold “Listen to Me” conferences, both in person and online. These trainings have increased the effectiveness of this treatment by teaching parents how and why hearing impacts learning and a child’s future.  Most of us take for granted our hearing, but for those who are given this gift after not having it know the full impacts of the cochlear implant. This work is a perfect example of how we can build a stronger future for all.