Follow-up: 1st International Monsana Conference Continued

This conference covered various aspects of the treatment of deafness and  proper rehabilitation of CI recipients. Various solutions for patients suffering from different kind and degree of hearing loss were discussed. The sponsoring companies presented their devices and explained whom they can help and how they work. The first day of the conference was dedicated to experts, the second to parents.

The following companies presented their products at the conference:
- Cochlear presenting their well-known Cochlear Implant Systems as well as Baha
- Otologics presenting their fully implantable hearing solution Carina and other models

Experts from Germany (CI Rehabilitation Centre Friedberg) and Switzerland (Kantonsspital Luzern) sshowed parents how correct rehabilitation can help children to achieve best possible performance results.

Monsana presented the possibility of live online-rehabilitation via the internet – a new opportunity for patients from all over the world to participate in the rehabilitation programme of the CIC Friedberg without travelling to Germany.

Monsana also introduced a new concept “Knowledge goes Public“.

At the 1st International Monsana Conference, participants therefore had a variety of opportunities to meet professionals, parents of paediatric patients and to learn about new approaches of deafness: 

• meeting experts
  ◦    medical experts, audiologists, therapists, economists  
• meeting parents
  ◦   it will be possible for parents to exchange their experience with other parents in a similar situation.
• dealing with new approaches
  ◦   Early identification and intervention
• dealing with advanced technologies
  ◦   New technology availalable
  ◦   Cochlear Implants – BAHA the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid – Carina the only fully implantable middle ear solution
  ◦   Cochlear Implant – is it cost-effective? Cochlear Implant compared to other medical treatments on the scale of cost:effectiveness
• dealing with methods
  ◦   QUALY (quality adjusted life years) what does it mean?
  ◦   Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening – where does it happen and how does it work
  ◦   Modern Rehabilitation Methods for children with CI
• dealing with continuing support of parents & rehab trainers
  ◦   Which outcomes can we expect for children with CI?
  ◦   Will my child be able to attend regular kindergarten and school?
  ◦   Will my child develop like children with normal hearing?
  ◦   Will my child be able to study at the University?
  ◦   Will my child be able to learn foreign languages?
• enhancing self support & confidence:  parents as experts
  ◦   What is my role as a parent?
  ◦   How can I best help my child once he/ she has a CI?
  ◦   Parents Networking – New dimensions in the Internet
• start-up of  a parent community, create a network and platform on the Internet
  
  For further details of the schedule, please go to programme.