2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 10:05 AM - 10:35 AM | Expanding the Multidisciplinary Approach to Cochlear Implant Teams | 308
Expanding the Multidisciplinary Approach to Cochlear Implant Teams
This presentation will highlight a cochlear implant program that embodies a true multidisciplinary approach, addressing the comprehensive needs of children with a hearing difference. By integrating diverse professionals—such as audiologists, speech-language pathologists, educators, and psychologists—our program creates a support system tailored to each child's unique journey. Our model is different because of the inclusion of a parent of two deaf children as the program coordinator, ensuring that family perspectives are central to decision-making and care strategies. This role not only enhances communication among team members but also fosters trust and empathy within the families we serve.
Our program director, Dr Nathan Page, champions this approach, recognizing the invaluable insights parents provide in navigating the journey. We actively connect families to a wide range of resources, promoting informed choices across all communication modalities. Additionally, we have added community engagement events to strengthen connections among families, professionals, and local support networks, cultivating a community around shared experiences and resources. This presentation will highlight our collaborative successes, the positive impact on children’s outcomes, and practical strategies for implementing a family-centered, multidisciplinary model in CI programs.
- Participants will be able to identify the key roles of various professionals in a multidisciplinary cochlear implant program and explain how their collaboration addresses the comprehensive needs of children with hearing loss.
- Attendees will learn to appreciate the inclusion of parents as program coordinators, understanding how their insights can enhance team dynamics, improve communication, and lead to better outcomes for children and families.
- Participants will gain practical knowledge on how to connect families and create community engagement events that foster support networks, empowering families in their cochlear implant journey.
Presentation:
3545975_18161NajwaGhattas.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Najwa Ghattas
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter), Phoenix Children's, nghattas@phoenixchildrens.com;
Najwa Ghattas is the Cochlear Implant Program Coordinator for Phoenix Children’s. As a mother of 2 children with a bilateral sensorineural profound hearing loss and bilateral cochlear implants, she has the lived experience to support the unique needs of this population. Najwa holds a Post Baccalaureate in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Nathan Page
(Co-Presenter), Phoenix Children's Hospital, npage@phoenixchildrens.com;
Dr. Page is a physician in the Division of Otolaryngology at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He received his MD from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, completed his otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and a pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at Children's Specialists of San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital. He strongly supports multidisciplinary care for children who have complex health care needs.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.