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 apps, online and in-person groups we are aware of:
Facebook support groups
New Zealand
The hearing house families’ Facebook group
Bay of Plenty
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.)
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.
In-person support groups
Auckland
Monthly informal catch ups for 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
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.
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:
Cabby Keyte
Email: keytehouse@gmail.com
Mobile or text: 027 315 7562
or
Ngaire Mathew
Email: ngairemathew@xtra.co.nz