Follow-up: 1st International Monsana Conference Continued

The second day (23rd May) of the 1st International Monsana Congress was dedicated to parents of  children with a severe hearing loss wearing hearing aids and/ or cochlear implants.

The meeting covered various aspects of interest for these parents:

· 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