I’m a scientist with hearing loss. The pandemic taught me we can prioritise inclusion

June 2021 Science Magazine

In May, as our institution began to open back up and whispers about in-person lab meetings started to float around, I panicked. In the months preceding the pandemic, I had cochlear implants surgically placed to address steadily worsening hearing loss. As I began to retrain my brain to hear—a difficult and tiring process that required me to match the new sounds I was hearing with my previous knowledge of the auditory world—we went into lockdown. Amid the isolation and uncertainty, I discovered a bright spot: Online meetings worked well for me. With everyone speaking into computer microphones, I could hear and focus. What would happen as we returned to “normal”?

Read more: I’m a scientist with hearing loss. The pandemic taught me we can prioritise inclusion

Hearing Loss and Hearing Solutions - A Guide

Here at last is our 2018 revision of the "Hearing Loss and Hearing Solutions - A Guide" that we have published in PDF format for the enjoyment of users. Our original version was reviewed very favourably and attracted a lot of viewers. We now have this Guide in two formats: Desktop or Tablet version; iPhone/Android version.

You can view/download it from these links:

For desktop or tablet -  Hearing Loss and Hearing Resources - A Guide (91 pages, 2.4 MB size). 

For smartphones - iPhone or Android - Hearing Loss and Hearing Resources - smartphone version (101 pages, 1.6 MB size)

We welcome edits, corrections, updates, suggestions etc. Contact the authors via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Here are some of the professional comments about our new 2018 version.

Overall Reactions to Second Edition:
Monica Bray (Cochlear): I’ve just discovered the wonderful Hearing Guide. It's an awesome resource.
Jade Parr (Advanced Bionics): What a great resource.
Roberta Marino (Fiona Stanley Hospital) with permission:
I really enjoyed reading the guide!  It's brilliant. So comprehensive, easy to read and relatable. I'm really impressed with the level of detail and can only imagine the hours you've spent researching new updates. The guide will positively impact so many people including professionals.  I can see it being so useful for instance, at our hospital when new medicos have a rotation in the Ear, Nose and Throat Department or when we have new Audiology students in our Department who are new to implant devices. Again - well done!  It's fantastic there's people like you who are so pro-active and care enough to put in the hundreds of hours required to develop such a useful and thorough guide.

Overall Reactions to First Edition:
Margaret Anderson: It's going to be a great resource for consumers and all sorts of people. Well done for tackling it!
Marie-Louise Hekel: Congratulations on this most thorough publication. You have done a splendid job. It would be a very valuable resource, not only for hearing impaired people, but professional audiologists in particular.
Roberta Marino: I think you’ve done a brilliant job. You really have a great understanding of how the different devices can be applied. If you don’t mind, when the product is finished, I’d like to pass it on to training ENT’s at the major teaching hospitals here in Perth and also the upcoming Audiology students.
Sarah McCullough (Advanced Bionics): Well done on all your hard work
Linda Ballam-Davies (Cochlear): It looks great and you've done a top job.

What We Do

CICADA provides support to hearing impaired Australians through information, education and social events:

Live Transcripts

International Cochlear Implant Day

1. BUZZ magazine and state newsletters
2. information, understanding, practical advice
3. sharing first-hand, personal experiences
4. presentations, lectures and workshops
5. social functions, BBQs and dinners
6. internet forums and chat groups
7. working with manufacturers and clinics in Australia/NZ
8. financial support of clinics in metropolitan and country areas
9. links with organizations for the deaf and hearing impaired
10. helping to lobby governments and health funds re policies