Did you know that the iPod is a great tool for CI rehab? This is one of the many things I learned at the recent AG Bell convention in Milwaukee. One of the last sessions -- Plug and Play iPod and Pod Casting in Auditory Therapy -- presented by Pauline Newton, Ph.D., Michelle Nemetz, and Shea Denham, MS Ed., was very informative.

This session focused on using technology, like the iPod, for independent aural rehabilitation therapy. This is really useful if you live alone or can't find someone to help you on your schedule.

One of the recommendations is to use the lyrics feature on iPods and iTunes to follow along with the music of your choice -- although I suggest avoiding heavy metal and other music where the lyrics are hard to hear. In addition to music, other ways to utilize technology for rehab include audio recording software, audiobooks, voice recording, and even captioning podcasts.

There's just something about that portability. Carol Ban, of Chicago, IL., got her first implant six and a half years ago, and her second one seven months ago. She hasn't used the iPod for rehab yet, but plans to now. "To think that I could do this going on the train to and from work would be great!" she says. She learned that she can download so much more than music on the iPod and even read it while listening to it. "Mind blowing!" is her reaction.

You don't even have to use an iPod. Newton does a lot from her laptop, which has excellent sound quality. "I'll pull up something from iTunes or YouTube and pull up the lyrics and/or captions to listen and read," she says. "When I get to know the song or text well enough, I listen without using any visual aids. I also listened to books on tape. This strategy is great for people who work 9-5 and/or busy people who can't go to therapy two times a week. You can do this in the car or at your desk; it's therapy on the go!"

The beauty of using such technology is the ability to slow down or speed up the pace of the recording without affecting the sound quality. Professionals can even create recordings and eliminate visual contexts. It's also easier to share with parents and supporting teachers, as well as to chart progress. This year, Denham used this technology with two of her four kindergarten students. "Any activity with the iPod, computer, or speakers, they loved," she says. "I have found I have their attention longer when it involves technology." Her students are willing to work harder, longer and independently. They even record themselves telling stories using the microphone and always want to hear themselves after. "It is a great motivator for them to make sure they are communicating in a way that will be understood by other listeners and themselves," says Denham.

I decided to test out some of these ideas myself. I got an iPod for free when I purchased my laptop, but until now, had no desire to use it. I was motivated as soon as I discovered that I could read lyrics while listening to the songs.

I transferred some of my husband's CDs to iTunes (if you live alone, ask your friends if you can look through their CDs, or check out your public library), and then synced the iPod to my computer. Adding song lyrics turned out to be even easier than expected, thanks to a Mac program called Harmonic, by Mindquirk. It's a lyrics widget that automatically downloads lyrics from lyricwiki.org.

I hooked the iPod directly to my CI processor and smiled as I was able to do something I've wanted to do for a long time: follow lyrics. Ironically, the goal will be to someday listen to the music and understand the lyrics without any visual aids. But this will help me get there.

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