Illinois Cochlear Implant Chapter and Child`s Voice School Announce Upcoming Events

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.--(Business Wire)--
A cochlear implant is a technological triumph. It's the only medical device
designed to restore a human sense and an alternative to hearing aids, which
amplifies rather than processes sounds. Cochlear implant systems consist of
several parts working together to pick up sound through a microphone on the
sound processor, and converting the sound into digital signals via implanted
electrodes. To date, approximately 100,000 people have benefited from cochlear
implants, but many more could be helped by the cochlear implant technology.

The Illinois Cochlear Implant Chapter (ICIC) is a local chapter of the Hearing
Loss Association of America. As one of approximately ten Cochlear Implant
Chapters in the country, ICIC was established in 1990 as a support group for
people with cochlear implants or potential recipients. Through bi-monthly
meetings and printed materials ICIC provides:

* A forum for the hearing impaired individuals and their families to meet people
who have experienced the life altering cochlear implant surgery.
* People who have already received a Cochlear Implant an opportunity to share
their stories and keep abreast of new technology.

Log on to www.illinoisci.com for more information.

In its effort to build awareness for Cochlear Implants ICIC is working with
Child's Voice (Wood Dale, IL), a non-public oral deaf school where hard of
hearing and profoundly deaf children are taught to listen and speak without the
use of sign language. Child's Voice is the only state-approved oral deaf
education school in Northern Illinois, and their goal is helping these children
optimize their listening, speech, language, academic skills and self-confidence
so that they can be successful in a mainstreamed educational setting and society
in general.

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 18th - ICIC general meeting in Morton Grove featuring Dr. Robert Battista,
Implant Surgeon and Dawn Maniskas, Pediatric Audiologist of the Ear Institute of
Chicago. Their presentation will cover "Bilateral Pediatric & Adult Cochlear
Implants: Simultaneous & Sequential. In addition, representatives from Child`s
Voice will share experiences resulting from their unique work done with children
who have cochlear implants. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

October 18th - Annual Walk4Hearing in Lincoln Park, IL. Last year there were 17
walks across the country, including Chicago that helped raise $760,000. In
Chicago, approximately 300 people and 30 teams helped raised about $70,000. For
more information including the opportunity to participate as a sponsor, walker,
or donor log on to www.walk4hearing.org

About the Hearing Loss Association of America

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is a non-profit organization
providing assistance and resources for people with hearing loss. As the nation`s
leading advocate organization for people with hearing loss HLAA raises hearing
loss awareness in many ways including its Walk4Hearing program.

Illinois Cochlear Implant Chapter
Scott Goldberg
847-347-3333
scmigo@aol.com

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