University expertise used to help deaf children learn

While cochlear implants have been giving deaf people the gift of hearing for over 20 years, training to help teachers, parents and carers of children with the devices has been neglected. Now The University of Nottingham has teamed up with The Ear Foundation to promote understanding and improve learning opportunities for children living with the life-changing technology. The JISC / HEA funded 'Promoting Academic Resources in Society' (PARiS) project, will increase the number of Open Educational Resources (OER) available to help children with an implant to communicate and develop spoken language. Worldwide Demand With over 80,000 people fitted with cochlear implants worldwide, demand for the Ear Foundation's education programme inevitably outstrips the available resources. But it is hoped that the new online modules will help the foundation to support more teachers and carers of deaf students, as well as the wider mainstream teaching community. Chief Executive of the Ear Foundation, Sue Archbold, explained that the collaboration had been welcomed by teachers of the deaf, who have identified a need for resources to help train teaching assistants. She said: "Deafness in childhood and adulthood has a devastating effect on language and communication developments.