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SUPPORT GROUPS

The Hearing House. Cochlear Implant Services and Support. Auckland

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 have an open door policy at The Hearing House and welcome any feedback from our cochlear implant users.

Your feedback is important to us, and we encourage you to share your thoughts on our services and how we can better serve you.  

If you have feedback to share with The Hearing House, please email familysupport@hearinghouse.co.nz.

Facebook support groups

For kiritaki (clients) of The Hearing House

Families of The Hearing House

The Hearing House Adult Community

New Zealand 

NZ Cochlear Implant Group

Auckland
Auckland Parents of Deaf Children
Bay of Plenty

The Cochy Group 

Bay of Plenty Association for Deaf Children Inc

 
International

Many Kiwi cochlear implant users and whānau also join these forums, which have a greater volume of participants and a broader range of experiences:

 

Cochlear Implant Experiences 

Cochlear Implant Support Group 

Cochlear Implant Users  

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

Aussie deaf kids

Parents of Children with Cochlear Implants 

Advanced Bionics Kids - parent edition (Advanced Bionics is a brand of cochlear implants available for private patients.)

Health & Disability Advocacy

If you have had an issue dealing with a health or disability service, the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service offers free, independent, and confidential advice and support to help you resolve it. 

Their advocates are available to let you know about your rights, answer your questions and talk through your options for making a complaint, supporting you through the whole process. 

You can contact them on Facebook and Instagram, by emailing advocacy@advoacy.org.nz or chatting via the LiveChat function on their website

Websites

Deaf Children New Zealand 

Auckland Parents of Deaf Children

Apps

Hearing Training

Bring Back The Beat

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 hard of hearing children living across Auckland. These are an opportunity to meet others in their area in an informal and 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

rayc@windowslive.com

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

National

Achilles New Zealand provides New Zealanders with disabilities the opportunity to participate alongside able-bodied athletes in local, national, and international events.

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: 

Raewyn Moffitt

Email: raeannmoff@hotmail.com

Mobile or text: 027 299 9688

Waikato

For people in Cambridge, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Matamata, Te Awamutu and Hamilton. 

Contact cicgwaikato@gmail.com 

If you know of any other support groups or apps that should be included on this resource page, please email communications@hearinghouse.co.nz. Other CI users and their families will thank you!
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