Our New Ears

ONE developed from a chance meeting of parents of deaf children. On realising they shared the same concerns, questions and joys, these parents decided to reach out to help other families in a similar position and ONE was born. ONE has grown into an online based community of several hundred who use ‘hearing technologies’ including CI’s, hearing aids, BAHA’s (bone anchored hearing aids) and ABI’s (auditory brainstem implants). It also includes individuals and families undergoing assessment for implant surgery (the ONE Community). ONE also has a hugely popular public Facebook page which a reach of several thousand online users. So what are CI’s, BAHA’s and ABIs? Technically speaking, these ‘devices provide access to sound for people.(including those).with profound hearing loss’. For ONE members and their families, it’s simply magical, life changing technology! ONE is an entirely voluntary group and, in 2014, were invited to become a partner of Chime (the National Association for the Deaf) which is a charitable not-for-profit organisation, governed by a voluntary Board of Directors with more than a fifty year history in Ireland. ONE has its own parent led committee and projects tailored to children, young people and their families. ONE aims to provide information, education and support services (both online and in person) to its members. In particular, ONE aims to: • Provide peer support for the ONE Community; • Raise awareness of children and young people who use hearing techologies in Ireland; • Investigate hearing technologies and therapies and share this knowledge with ONE members and their families; • Advocate for ONE members and their families; and • Co-ordinate with the Department of Education, National Council for Special Education the Department of Health and other relevant third parties to ensure that ONE members and their families are fully recognised and supported. Charity Number: CHY 5633 in affliliation with Chime