Wisconsin Chapter:
Cochlear Implant Association, Inc.

WICI Chapter Meeting November, 2006

“You CAN Hear Me Now!”
A Statewide Conference: Enhancing Opportunities for Participation with Technology

• Friday November 10, 2006 3:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Saturday November 11, 2006 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

At Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing - 10243 W. National Avenue , West Allis, WI 53227 complete meeting information

FDA Approves New Innovative Cochlear Implant System - The Nucleus Freedom By Cochlear

Cochlear Americas announced today that it recently received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the Nucleus(R) Freedom(TM) cochlear implant system. The Nucleus Freedom, which features both an internal component and an external speech processor, will begin shipping to clinics on April 3, 2005. The Nucleus Freedom is designed to mimic functions of the human ear and fit seamlessly into a user's lifestyle. complete news release

Attention: Medicare Cochlear Implant Recipients

Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) Edits (aka bundling) have expanded significantly in 2005. Effective October 1, 2004, Medicare has bundled over 30 new codes with cochlear implant programming services. In addition to previously bundled aural rehabilitation codes, all audiologic function codes are now bundled with cochlear implant programming codes. A list of cochlear implant-related CCI edits is available. Modifiers can be used on a limited basis with these edits. more information on the 2005 Medicare Correct Coding Edits

Important News from CIAI and SHHH regarding new Cochlear Implant Division of SHHH:

Cochlear Implant Association is pleased to announce that we have become a section of the Self Help for Hard of Hearing People organization.

Early Childhood Ear Infections Linked to Asthma

Children with recurrent ear infections may have an increased risk of developing asthma, says a study published in the May issue of Chest, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. [History of ear infections and prevalence of asthma in a national sample of children age 2 to 11 years: The third national health and nutrition examination survey, 1988 to 1994, vol. 125, no. 5, pg. 1685-1692.] Study results showed that children with a history of multiple ear infections were twice as likely to suffer from asthma as children with no prior history of ear infections. Researchers also found that parents with higher education levels reported significantly more ear infections in their children than did parents with lower education levels. complete story from Advanced Audiologists

WICI Chapter Mission Statement:

We provide support, information, assistance with advocacy and educational programs for adults and children who use Cochlear Implants and for potential candidates and their families seeking first hand information about cochlear implant technology.

About WICI:

Meetings are currently held 4 times a year. Three meetings are held at Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in West Allis, WI during the months of Sept/Oct., Jan/Feb and April/May. A social event usually is held around the Christmas holidays.

map to meeting location (corner of W. National Avenue and S.102nd Street in West Allis)

The fourth meeting of the year beginning in 2003 will be held in various locations around the state of WI as determined by the interest and needs of the membership. Real Time Captioning is provided to make all meetings accessible.