Portfolio with case studies of children with cochlear implant therapy

Here you can access a package of supporting resources for the speech and language therapists (SLPs) in order to offer information for their further improved work with CI children. This portfolio has been developed with the contribution of all the partners from the 4 countries (Romania, Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands) who worked together to create a baseline study of the situation of cochlear implants in their home countries.

The portfolio is created through collecting data and statistics regarding the national situation of cochlear implants in each partner country, the support strategies, a selection of cases of cochlear implants and the best practices (in each partner country).

The portfolio is the starting point in developing the project because it offer insight on the existing situation regarding speech therapies for CI children, both nationally and at European level. After setting up the framework and the learning objectives of the CI portfolio, a baseline study of the situation of cochlear therapy was designed, with focus on the supported strategies and resources for the vocational training of the SLPs in the partner countries (RO, BE, PT and NL). Patients, as well as specialists, were interviewed and their testimonials were recorded in order to create a collection of cases of cochlear implants and the best practices.

Report on Baseline study of the situation of cochlear implants therapy, with focus on the supporting strategies and resources for the vocational training of the SLP, in partners’ countries.

Country report Belgium

In comparing to other European countries, Belgium is functioning in the top 5 of Europe looking at the yearly number of paediatric cochlear implants, together with Germany, Spain, Slovak republic and the Netherlands.

Country report the Netherlands

At a birth rate of 190 000 up to 200 000 a year, that means about 200 children with hearing loss. Between 2012 and 2019 an average of 124 children per year was reported with bilateral hearing loss and approximately 82 children per year with unilateral hearing loss.

Country report Portugal

In Portugal, the first steps in cochlear implantation were taken in 1985, by Dr. Manuel Filipe Rodrigues and his brother, Dr. Fernando Rodrigues, who had worked in Germany. The surgery was performed at the Centro Hospital de Coimbra, a Banfai Extra-cochlear Implant and, in 1987, with a Cochlear cochlear implant Nucleus 22 (intra-cochlear), both in adults with post-lingual deafness.

Country report Romania

Newborn hearing screening was only launched as a national programme by the Romanian Ministry of Health in 2006. However, national geographic coverage wasn’t established and there was no close monitoring of the results. Consequently, there are still no official national statistics regarding the prevalence of deafness in newborns.

Case studies of children with cochlear implant rehabilitation therapy, in partners’ countries.

Case Studies from Belgium

Case Studies from the Netherlands

Case Studies from Portugal

Case Studies from Romania

  • Ilaria
  • Adela
  • Alexia
  • Ciprian
  • Stefania