2020.05.29
Figure 1: An Insight into tele-mapping test between Taipei and Chung Yuan center.
During the video call, Ting-ting, who’s on the other side at Chung Yuan center, raised the toy and put it in the box every time he detected the sounds. At the same time, the audiologist, who’s at Taipei center, observed his reactions and adjusted the FM system to the most suitable mode for Ting-ting.
Children’s Hearing Foundation (CHF) started the tele-mapping test at Chung Yuan center first. Let’s have a better understanding of tele-mapping by interviewing the project director, Dr. Julie Ma, the direct of the Audiology Department, and learn more about how this project can help children with hearing loss and their families throughout Taiwan.
Q1. By promoting tele-mapping service, what benefits CHF could bring to children with hearing loss and their families?
Dr. Ma: Our hope is to provide a better quality and a more convenient mapping service for all the families. Most of the time, the results are determined by how concentrated the children were during mapping. Because the commute is exhausting for the children, by practicing tele-mapping, there is no need for any commute and children can concentrate more on the mapping. Moreover, audiologists at Taipei and Kaohsiung centers can provide assistances when there’s emergency.
Q2. What are the actual plan and schedule for this project?
Dr. Ma: Currently, we are at the experimental phase, we will start by connecting Taipei with Chung Yuan, Yilan and Kaohsiung.
Once the tele-mapping services are stable in each center, we will carry forward to Hualien, Chiayi and other workstations. Through the project, we hope to benefit more families, provide them an easier way to access mapping services.
Q3. Is there any equipment restriction through tele-mapping? Is it possible to tele-mapping at their home?
Dr. Ma: It requires computer that can connect to cochlear implant software and professional audiologist who is trained and able to guide the children during tele-mapping. Therefore, we can’t tele-mapping at their home but at CHF’s workstation/centers.
Figure 2: It requires computer that can connect to cochlear implant software and professional audiologist who is trained and able to guide the children during tele-mapping.
CHF encyclopedia
Our mission is to help children with hearing loss to listen and speak, being able to reach their full potential in the world of sounds.
Hearing is the foundation for learning how to speak. At CHF, our professional audiologists regularly provide audiological assessment and consultation according to the condition of each child. By working closely with AV Specialists, parents are taught how to train their children to speak through a variety of day-to-day scenarios. All of these are to help children with hearing loss to communicate fluently.
