The BIONIC EAR ASSOCIATION

The journey to better hearing for your child is an exciting one,

rich with opportunity and possibility. Committed to improving
the quality of life of children impacted by hearing loss, AB
created the Bionic Ear Association (BEA), a valuable support
network whose mission is to be there for you and your child
every step of the way.
The needs of your family come first with the BEA. Comprised of
highly professional staff members and a great team of volunteers
with cochlear implants, this network of dedicated people can
provide you with valuable information, education and guidance.
When your child becomes the recipient of an AB
cochlear implant, you also become a part of the
cochlear implant community. The BEA offers an instant,
online connection with other cochlear implant families at
www.HearingJourney.com. You can also access the latest
news, stories, and events concerning cochlear implants online
at the BEAs website, www.BionicEar.com.

28

BIONIC EARS for Kids

Receiving a cochlear implant is just the beginning of your

childs journey to hearing. Like any new activity, hearing takes
practice, patience and persistence. The BEA offers many tools,
educational resources, and training to help your child achieve
his or her hearing potential. Some of these programs include:
eLearningOnline classes and interactive learning modules
uniquely designed to fit your childs educational needs.
Tools for SchoolsA program that provides tools and resources
for educators, therapists and parents to help children with
cochlear implants succeed in school.
The Listening RoomAn online resource providing a steady
stream of interactive listening activities and resources for infants,
children and teens.

A Community of Life-Long Support for You and Your Child

WERE HERE SO YOU HEAR

BIONIC EARS for Kids

29

MEET THE BIONIC FAMILY!

AB created Bionic Buddy, Melody, and the whole Bionic
family (Mom, Dad, JoJo, and dog Huckleberry) to help
children better understand the process of getting one or
more cochlear implants. Through these fun, animated
characters, parents, as well as clinicians and surgeons,
can help explain cochlear implants, the implant process,
and what to expect after surgery in a way children can
easily understand. Seeing that Buddy and Melody have
been through the same journey can help to calm your
childs fears or apprehensions.
Bionic Buddy and Melody help comfort kids and their
families in a number of ways: fun coloring books and
calendars, stuffed Buddy or Melody toys given to children
prior to surgery, and more.

Watch The Adventures of Bionic Buddy DVD

enclosed in the back of this brochure.

30

BIONIC EARS for Kids

A Family Thats Been There is Here for You

BIONIC EARS for Kids

31

TAKE the NEXT STEP

Ready to learn more about how a cochlear implant system from AB can help your childs journey to hearing? The process is easy, and
the BEA will make it even easier by helping you with each and every step.
AB created Bionic Buddy, Melody, and the whole Bionic family (Mom,
Dad,
JoJo,started,
and dog simply:
Huckleberry) to help children better understand the
To get
process of getting a cochlear implant. Through these fun, animated
1. Discover parents
if your as
child
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characters,
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to find
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authorization,
contact
the BEA at 866.844.HEAR (4327) or visit www.BionicEar.com for
cochlear
implants,
thesupport
implantfor
process
and what
to expect after
surgery
in aa way
list ofchildren
clinics worldwide.
can easily understand. Seeing that Buddy and Melody
have been through the same journey can help to calm your childs fears
2. Learn
more about cochlear implants for children by connecting with the parent of a recipient. Contact the Bionic Ear Association
or
apprehensions.
at 866.844.HEAR(4327) today and request a personal mentor or connect online at www.BionicEar.com.
Bionic Buddy and Melody help comfort kids and their families in a
3. Ask forofaways:
FREEfun
Hear
Your World
Kit,
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Buddys
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webpage at www.BionicEar.com.

Call the Bionic Ear Association at 866.844.HEAR (4327) or email the BEA at hear@AdvancedBionics.com.
CONNECT TODAY.

32

BIONIC EARS for Kids

MAKE a CONNECTION

Is Your Child a Candidate for a Cochlear Implant?

Does your child have delayed speech and language development
as a result of his or her hearing loss?
Yes
No
Does your child rarely respond to his or her name?

Yes

No

Does your child avoid social interaction or lack the appropriate

skills to interact with other children or adults?
Yes
No
Do you have concerns about your childs ability to hear speech in
noisy environments?
Yes
No
Do you have concerns about your childs ability to participate and
succeed in school with normal-hearing peers?
Yes
No

If you answered Yes to any of these questions, your

child may benefit from cochlear implants.

One of the best resources for learning more about what to expect
on your childs journey to better hearing is a parent whos gone
through the process and can relate to what your family is going
through now. Through the BEA Mentor Program, you can directly
connect with the parent of another cochlear implant recipient
who can assist you in navigating the process of choosing and living
with cochlear implants.
Call the Bionic Ear Association Hotline at
866.844.HEAR(4327).
The BEA hotline is staffed by experienced cochlear implant
audiologists who can answer your questions, provide support,
and connect you with a recipient volunteer to be your
personal mentor.
Connect with a Mentor Online
(www.BionicEar.com).
Read the stories and profiles of many bionic ear recipients
who volunteer as personal mentors. From these profiles, you
can select one or more mentors whom you feel might best
understand your own experience. Once youve identified a
mentor, or mentors, its easy to initiate an online communication.
Join the Hearing Journey Online Community
(www.HearingJourney.com).
Share your own experience with other recipients and candidates.
Find a BEA Chapter or Local Seminar/Event
(www.BionicEar.com)
You can personally meet recipients in your region who will
help you learn more about life with a bionic ear. Make new
friends with whom you can share your journey.

BIONIC EARS for Kids

33

The ADVENTURES of
Prepare Your Child
Children are happier when they know whats
going on. AB gives all children receiving
an implant a Bionic Buddy or Melody
stuffed monkey and a coloring book. These
materials help educate your child about the
process and can provide comfort to him
or her along the way. If you havent received
one, be sure to ask the BEA. Most children
latch onto Bionic Buddy or Melody, who
can become your childs best pal during
this process.
Contact the Bionic Ear Association
to find out more!
Call: 866.844.HEAR(4327)
Email: hear@AdvancedBionics.com
Online: www.BionicEar.com

34

BIONIC EARS for Kids

BIONIC BUDDY

ABs Commitment to You

HEADQUARTERS
Advanced Bionics, LLC
12740 San Fernando Road
Sylmar, CA 91342 USA
877.829.0026 in USA and Canada
661.362.1400
661.362.1500 Fax
800.678.3575 TTY
info@AdvancedBionics.com
EUROPE
Advanced Bionics SARL
76 rue de Battenheim
68170 Rixheim, France
+33.3.89.65.98.00
+33.3.89.65.50.05 Fax
europe@AdvancedBionics.com
ASIA-PACIFIC
Advanced Bionics
Asia-Pacific Limited
Suite 4203 42/F, Tower One, Lippo Centre
89 Queensway, Hong Kong
852.2526.7668
852.2526.7628 Fax
AP@AdvancedBionics.com
LATIN AMERICA
Advanced Bionics
Mann Biomedical Park
25129 Rye Canyon Loop
Valencia, CA 91355, USA
661.362.1840
661.362.4604 Fax
LA@AdvancedBionics.com

MAY09_3-01103-A

 2009 Advanced Bionics, LLC and its affiliates.

All rights reserved.

Request Information
Get information on AB
products; educational
materials, resources and
references; news and events;
and a whole lot more.

Comprehensive Warranty
Your internal implant is
covered for 10 years; the
external processor for three
years, including a one-time
loss and damage coverage.

Technical Support Hotline

Highly trained representatives
provide immediate assistance
12 hours a day (5 a.m. 5
p.m. PST), Monday through
Fridaywith emergency
paging access on weekends.

Clinic Finder
AB offers a comprehensive
listing of cochlear implant
clinics around the world.

Insurance
Reimbursement Services
ABs insurance experts
provide comprehensive
assistance including
reviews of your coverage,
pre-authorization services,
direct billing, and help with
Medicare.

Webstore
Convenient, 24/7 online
shopping for parts and
accessories.

48-Hour Product
Replacement
Should any part of your
system break, AB will
ship you the necessary
replacement part(s)
within 48 hours (two
business days).

Online Chat Support

Along with phone support,
AB also offers online chat
support for technical or
general assistance, as well
as any other questions you
may have.