Question
My 11 year old son has been implanted since 2 years of age. He is doing fantastic, mainstreamed in the schools. I rarely think of him as a deaf child. Anyhow, he has expressed an interest in hunting. We purchased a youth shotgun/rifle. Before I actually take him to a firing range to begin his training, I was wondering whether or not the loud percussion from the rifle will hurt his hearing. Should he take off the implant to shoot, leave it on, or wear ear protection? While I am asking he also listens to music with headphones and it seems very loud. Can he damage his hearing by doing this?
Answer
Loud sounds will never stimulate through the cochlear implant beyond your son's Comfort Level, or C-level, that is set by the programming audiologist. So, the electrical stimulation that occurs in response to the loud sound will be safe. And, the sound processor itself should be safe from mechanical damage due to the loud sounds. If, however, your son has any residual acoustic hearing, as would be measured on a routine audiogram in the test booth, that hearing could be damaged and therefore should be protected in the typical means used for hunting. I would suggest you discuss the latter with your son's audiologist.
Janet Clarke, Au.D., is a Clinical Educator at Cochlear Americas, where she has worked for just under 10 years. In total, she has 15 years of experience in the field of cochlear implants.
Janet Clarke, AuD
Clinical Technical Audiologist at Cochlear Americas.
Janet Clarke, Au.D., is a Clinical Technical Support Audiologist at Cochlear Americas. She conducts product testing and validation studies of Cochlear products. She also provides clinical support and training on new and existing products.
Related Courses
1https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/auditory-neuropathy-and-cochlear-implantation-4582Auditory Neuropathy and Cochlear Implantation in Children (HOPE) - recorded eventThe diagnosis of Auditory Neuropathy/Dys-synchrony in a child with a sensorineural hearing loss will quickly raise the possibility of cochlear implantation in some of these children. Our experience to date has resulted in providing cochlear implants to 35 children with this diagnosis. This presentation will review our diagnostic procedures, medical/surgical considerations and the outcomes that we have documented in this population of pediatric patients. **FOR A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (No CEUs) PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE "COCHLEAR CERTIFICATE HANDOUT" AFTER REGISTRATION**auditory, textual, visual
The diagnosis of Auditory Neuropathy/Dys-synchrony in a child with a sensorineural hearing loss will quickly raise the possibility of cochlear implantation in some of these children. Our experience to date has resulted in providing cochlear implants to 35 children with this diagnosis. This presentation will review our diagnostic procedures, medical/surgical considerations and the outcomes that we have documented in this population of pediatric patients.
**FOR A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (No CEUs) PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE "COCHLEAR CERTIFICATE HANDOUT" AFTER REGISTRATION**
2https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/gearing-up-my-classroom-strategies-4770Gearing Up My Classroom: Strategies to Support a Student with a Cochlear Implant (HOPE recording)This class will consider factors that influence student performance and success with specific reference to cochlear implantation. Factors include identifying an appropriate classroom setting, communication between the implant center and school, supports and resources for school personnel and accountability measures to monitor performance. Participants will receive the protocols discussed in the class for their use.auditory, textual, visual
This class will consider factors that influence student performance and success with specific reference to cochlear implantation. Factors include identifying an appropriate classroom setting, communication between the implant center and school, supports and resources for school personnel and accountability measures to monitor performance. Participants will receive the protocols discussed in the class for their use.
3https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/benchmarks-performance-for-children-with-4774Benchmarks of Performance for Children with Cochlear Implants (HOPE recording)This presentation describes general guidelines that may be used to set performance expectations for children receiving cochlear implants. Rationale for adapting these general benchmarks to individual implant users will be discussed. Case Examples will reinforce the principles described. **FOR A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (No CEUs) PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE "COCHLEAR CERTIFICATE HANDOUT" AFTER REGISTRATION**auditory, textual, visual
This presentation describes general guidelines that may be used to set performance expectations for children receiving cochlear implants. Rationale for adapting these general benchmarks to individual implant users will be discussed. Case Examples will reinforce the principles described.
**FOR A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (No CEUs) PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE "COCHLEAR CERTIFICATE HANDOUT" AFTER REGISTRATION**
4https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/vocabulary-development-for-cochlear-implant-18Vocabulary Development for the Cochlear Implant User (HOPE) - recording**FYI: There are no handouts for this course***This presentation identifies the important contribution that the cochlear implant makes to vocabulary learning. Recommendations for early vocabulary development will be made. The role that vocabulary plays in subsequent reading comprehension will be explored. Issues related to vocabulary storage and retrieval will also be addressed. **FOR A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (No CEUs) PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE "COCHLEAR CERTIFICATE HANDOUT" AFTER REGISTRATION**auditory, textual, visual
**FYI: There are no handouts for this course***This presentation identifies the important contribution that the cochlear implant makes to vocabulary learning. Recommendations for early vocabulary development will be made. The role that vocabulary plays in subsequent reading comprehension will be explored. Issues related to vocabulary storage and retrieval will also be addressed.
**FOR A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (No CEUs) PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE "COCHLEAR CERTIFICATE HANDOUT" AFTER REGISTRATION**
5https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/when-going-gets-tough-shifting-26When the Going Gets Tough: Shifting Perspectives on Performance Outcomes (HOPE)This program addresses the concerns of professionals that have encountered children for whom cochlear implantation has been "tough going." Factors that contribute to variable progress will be identified and steps for determining an appropriate course of action for such children will be reviewed. Case examples will highlight options for maximizing each child's potential with the cochlear implant. **FOR A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (No CEUs) PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE "COCHLEAR CERTIFICATE HANDOUT" AFTER REGISTRATION**auditory, textual, visual
'relevant information on challenges for performance outcomes for CI children'Read Reviews
No CEUs/Hours Offered
This program addresses the concerns of professionals that have encountered children for whom cochlear implantation has been "tough going." Factors that contribute to variable progress will be identified and steps for determining an appropriate course of action for such children will be reviewed. Case examples will highlight options for maximizing each child's potential with the cochlear implant.
**FOR A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (No CEUs) PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE "COCHLEAR CERTIFICATE HANDOUT" AFTER REGISTRATION**
