Support Groups & Apps
Connecting with other cochlear implant users and their whānau is a fantastic way to share your experiences and learn more as you navigate the journey to sound.
Here are some helpful resources, online and in-person support groups we are aware of:
Open House at The Hearing House
We have an open door policy at The Hearing House and welcome any feedback from our cochlear implant users.
Twice a year we open our doors to our cochlear implant community, inviting cochlear implant users and those interested in learning more about our services to come together and share your experience with us.
Hearing your feedback in this way helps us shape our services to better serve you.
The next gathering date will be confirmed once Auckland returns to a lower alert level. Please email communications@hearinghouse.co.nz to express your interest in attending.
Facebook support groups
New Zealand
The hearing house families’ Facebook group
Auckland
Auckland Parents of Deaf Children
Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty Association for Deaf Children Inc
International
Many Kiwi cochlear implant users and whānau also join these forums, which seem to move a little faster and have a bigger range of experiences:
Cochlear Implant Support Group
Advanced Bionics Cochlear implant users group
For families of children with hearing loss
Parents of Children with unilateral hearing loss
Aussie deaf kids unilateral hearing loss
Parents of Children with Cochlear Implants
Advanced Bionics Kids - parent edition (Advanced Bionics is a brand of cochlear implants available for private patients.)
Websites
Auckland Parents of Deaf Children
Apps
Live Transcribe for Android phone users is free to download from Play Store.
Spark Voicemail for Spark customers on Pay Monthly and Prepaid mobile plans can convert voicemails to text.
Books
Wired for Sound by Beverley Biderman (1998). We have a few copies of the book for loan. If you would like to borrow a copy please let us know.
In-person support groups
Auckland
Auckland Parents of Deaf Children (APODC) Coffee Groups
For families with young deaf and HOH children living across Auckland. These are an opportunity to meet others in their area in an informal & relaxed setting. It's an important space where families can start making connections.
Please book to attend:
Email coordinator@apodc.org.nz
Phone or text 022 0842244
Monthly informal catch ups for adult CI recipients and those on the waiting list
Held on a Saturday, usually in Central Auckland cafes.
Contact Viv Hitchings for more information:
Phone or text: 021 074 5646
Email: vivhitchings@hotmail.com
East Auckland
An informal coffee group/lunch group is proposed for East Auckland on the third Saturday of every month at Kings Pant Barn Cafe in Botany.
For anyone who would like to catch up with others who have a cochlear implant, are on the waiting list or who are thinking about getting a cochlear implant. Partners/spouses welcome too.
Contact Raywyn Cooper for details
Text: 027 818 5669
Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty Association for Deaf Children Inc has a local parent group for parents to get in touch with others in their area who have first hand experience of the ups and downs of raising a deaf or hard of hearing child.
email: BOPdeafchildren@gmail.com
The New Zealand Cochlear Implant Consumer Group (NZCICG)
Was formed in 2011 by the Pindrop Foundation to represent New Zealanders who have become deaf and for whom deafness has had a significant adverse impact on their quality of life.
Auckland
This group holds regular gatherings where CI users and those interested in learning more about cochlear implants can hear from professionals in the field.
The group meets on the third Saturday of every third month here at The Hearing House.
Contact:
Glenda Fraser
Email: cicgauckland@gmail.com
Mobile or text: 021 812 981
Franklin
For people in Pukekohe, Waiuku, Clark’s Beach, Tuakau, Pokéno Bombay, Paerata, Papakura and TeKauwhata.
This group usually meets at a Pukekohe home on the first Tuesday of every month except January between 10am and 12pm.
It is a very casual meeting mostly a general discussion but we all feel free to bring up CI management and individual concerns.
All welcome, even parents of children with CIs who feel they need support or anyone on the waiting list.
Contact:
Lyn Polwart
Email: lyn.polwart@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 09 238 9037
Mobile or text: 0274 801 003
Waikato
For people in Cambridge, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Matamata, Te Awamutu and Hamilton.
Contact cicgwaikato@gmail.com