The Cochlear Implant School Toolkit

6 - Hearing and Language Challenges

Hearing challenge: Incidental hearing

Children with cochlear implants are less likely to overhear the words spoken in nearby conversations. They are also less likely to pick up on auditory cues, such as bells signaling the end of class.

Because children with cochlear implants may not receive sounds that would cue them to prepare for a change, transitions between activities may be difficult.

If the child with a cochlear implant needs extra support, implement a buddy system. A child with a cochlear implant may benefit from a buddy who helps signal transitions, repeats teachers' directions, or facilitates the child's participation in noisy environments (e.g., the playground).

Please refer to the information sheet entitled Establishing a buddy system in the classroom.