Cicada Australia Inc.

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Cicada Australia Inc.

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A registered Australian charity and volunteer organisation dedicated to supporting hearing-impaired Australians who use cochlear implants. CICADA Australia Inc.

Whether you are already benefiting from a Cochlear implant or contemplating the decision to have one aims to help as many hearing impaired Australians as possible. We are an organisation of people who've experienced the frustration and difficulty of collecting all the information on the wide range of options to try to work out what is best for us. And sometimes we've taken decisions only to find later other options were open to us. So we've decided to bring all the information about the various options to help your hearing to one place, and because our members range from people with hearing aids through to implanted devices we are able to provide first hand knowledge of the experience. No-one can explain better what it is like to be deaf or hearing impaired and how a technology has worked than a person who has experienced it. While doctors and audiologists can tell you the procedures involved and what results may be achieved, they cannot add the dimension of personal experience. Furthermore, CICADA Australia Inc. members have experienced severe or total hearing loss and its impact on families and friends – an issue not readily understood by those unaffected or by the general community. This sensitivity of people familiar with deafness and its everyday impacts, and with technologies that have improved their hearing, makes them well suited to provide support, advice and companionship. It is quite different and complementary to what audiologist, clinicians and surgeons can provide. Our members have found it valuable to meet with people (and their families) who've experienced the technology or been through the procedure they're considering. Join us today and let us support you into the future.

31/10/2026

15/09/2026

Today marks 42 years since my cochlear implant was switched on at RPA hospital in Sydney. That's about 229,320 listening hours that have been processed through this device in my right cochlear.
What a journey it has been and how grateful I am to so many people who worked to make this a reality.
It was Professor Bill Gibson's very first CI surgery and a landmark moment for us. The "Dynamic duo", Bill and Alex Gibson, with heartfelt enthusiasm, were champions of the CI program and our subsequent support group, CICADA AUSTRALIA.
I'm also grateful to Jim Patrick who started off as an engineer in Melbourne with Professor Graeme Clark. Jim built my 22-channel implant and had a long and outstanding career as Chief Scientist at Cochlear.
It's come a long way since those early days and the CI program has changed the lives of so many children and adults across the world.
My deepest thanks to all those who have supported me in my journey and to all those dear friends I have made, who continue the work of CICADA AUSTRALIA volunteer support group.
Thanks a million!

05/09/2026

Hail Tim Minchin whose piano playing and quirky humour all so clearly sung and spoken are easy to enjoy with a Cochlear implant.
We can even sing it aloud to ourselves and try and hit the high notes. 😉
Try it !
We can all have a good laugh together😂🌀
Thank you Tim ✌️🙏🏼

24/08/2026

Go Vanessa!!

Meet Vanessa Alford! 💛

We’re so excited to welcome Vanessa as the newest presenter on Play School.

Vanessa is Deaf and uses Auslan to communicate, bringing her unique perspective, warmth and creativity to the Play School family.

We can’t wait for you to get to know Vanessa! 👋✨
Play School: Sensational Senses — stream now on ABC iview!

20/08/2026

Don't forget the CICADA AGM and BBQ day coming up this Sunday at Nextsense Gladesville. Please come along and have your say, enjoy the company of other CI recipients and friends. Starts promptly at 11am, BBQ lunch to follow. The meeting will have LIVE CAPTIONS . Please register at www.cicada.org.au

15/08/2026

How does this sound to all the people with cochlear implants out there?
It’s rather beautiful I think🌀

10/08/2026

South coast, Shoalhaven area in NSW have a support group meeting coming up 29th August.

If you would like to attend and/ or help assist with this group, please contact Merelyn.
We are all volunteers and if you want to have a local support group, we need your help to grow it🤗🌀
You will find it is very rewarding and you will make good friends working together for this cause.
Go to www.cicada.org.au/events
To look for more social gatherings

25/06/2026

Don’t forget, NSW south coast residents, there is a gathering for CI support at Vincentia this Saturday. Please RSVP .
Thanks to Merelyn for organising!
Please see CICADA website for events
Www. Cicada.org.au/events

16/06/2026

Are you deaf, hard of hearing or have hearing loss?

Have you seen a mental health professional - like a psychologist, counsellor, psychiatrist, or social worker?

Opportunity to participate in an independent study exploring how deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing loss communities experience accessing mental health services

We want to hear about your experiences to make mental health services better for deaf, hard of hearing or people with hearing loss in Australia.

You can join if you:
• Are 18 or older
• Live in Australia
• Have seen a mental health professional as an adult

Scan the QR code or click the link to learn more about this confidential study!
https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6mVntFjGak8lhqK

Go to the CICADA website for further information, there is a seconds study for those who support people with cochlear implants
https://www.cicada.org.au/index.cfm?module=news&pagemode=indiv&page_id=6206781

Address

Building 39, Old Gladesville Hospital, Punt Road
Gladesville, NSW

Website

http://www.cicada.org.au/

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