The ability to hear is a gift most of us take for granted. At the nationally recognized UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders, our cochlear implant program specializes in making it possible for deaf children to enter a hearing world. We are part of the UT Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program which is a collaboration of the UT Dallas Callier Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Children’s Health.
UT Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program recipients are followed at the Callier Center following surgery. Adults are seen at UT Southwestern.
Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices designed for people with severe to profound hearing loss who receive little benefit from hearing aids. Thousands of adults and children around the world have benefitted from these bionic devices.
Howard’s Story
Howard Palmer has cochlear implants as a result of profound hearing loss in both ears. Mandy and Jaime Palmer, Howard’s parents, discovered his hearing loss when he failed the newborn hearing screening in his left ear. The Palmers were referred to the Callier Center, where Howard receives a continuum of care including audiology services through the Cochlear Implant Program, speech-language therapy, and deaf education in the Callier Child Development Program.
Howard has made progress in all areas of development. He is able to communicate better with his teachers and his peers, and he is able to express his emotions appropriately.
“I don’t know that there is a better place for us and for Howard than Callier. It was the best decision we ever made.”
– Jaime Palmer, Howard’s father
Cochlear Implant Patient Interview
Michael Noble, the first child in North Texas to receive a cochlear implant, returned to Callier to share his memories and stories of his success.
