Elephant in the Room

By Jim Bombicino, Illustrated by Gildas Chatal

Skyler has a hearing loss. And he doesn’t feel much like talking today. No wonder—he keeps missing what his parents and siblings have to say, and it’s frustrating. Skyler’s little sister, Maizy, tags along on his morning routine and, with the help of her special friend, we learn that it takes more than hearing aids to help Skyler feel like talking again.

This 35-page full color children’s book by Audiologist Jim Bombicino provides avenues for discussion and building vocabulary by highlighting the difficulties that students may face each day, including mishearing and misunderstanding information, the effect of background noise, and consequential frustration and confusion that can happen when the ease of daily communication is taken for granted by typically hearing persons.  In this case, the story follows a young boy as he awakens and prepares for a typical school day.

The e-book version includes audio of the text read by actors, while their voices are filtered to imitate how Skyler hears through his hearing aids! Listening situations include a speaker with added background noise, simultaneous speakers, a speaker talking too quickly, and mishearing words—all heard as they come through Skyler’s hearing devices.  Perfect for helping teachers, families, and classmates understand what a hearing loss might be like.  Finally put typically hearing adults and children in the shoes of the child with hearing loss!

For grades 3-6

New!  On Teacher Tools Takeout – This video version includes audio of the text read by actors, while their voices are filtered to imitate how Skyler hears through his hearing aids! Listening situations include a speaker with added background noise, simultaneous speakers, a speaker talking too quickly, and mishearing words—all heard as they come through Skyler’s hearing devices.  Perfect for helping teachers, families, and classmates understand what a hearing loss might be like.  Finally put typically hearing adults and children in the shoes of the child with hearing loss!

Video download can be accessed on any device. Please respect the copyright and creativity of the author and avoid sharing as freeware.

Please note:  Compatible only with iPad and iOS devices.  Free Author’s notes and discussion guide are available for download at Teacher Tools Takeout marketplace.

How to Open ePub Files on Your iPad.

Before trying to load the ePUB file make sure you have downloaded and installed iBook app from Apple’s app store.

Directly on the iPAD or Iphone  (recommended)

1. 1. Make sure the free iBooks app is on your iPad.
2. 2. Follow the link from Safari to reach the ePub document.  This means either accessing your email to find the attached file, or going to our website to download the file with an access code.
3. 3. Select “Open in iBooks” on the iPad/iPhone
4. 4. The eBook will open and be added to your iBooks collection.
5. 5. From now on, you can open the ePub document from the iBooks app on your iPad/iPhone.

From PC to iPAD

1. 1. Make sure the free iBooks app is on your iPad.
2. 2. Make sure the free Itunes app is on your PC.  Open iTunes.
3. 3. Find the ePub file on your computer by accessing email or visiting website where purchased/obtained.
4. 4. Drag and drop the ePub file onto your Library in iTunes on your computer.
5. 5. Connect your iPad to your computer.
6. 6. Check under the “Books” tab in iTunes to be sure this ePub is selected for syncing
7. 7. Then sync.
8. 8. The ePub document is added to your iBooks collection inside the iBooks app.
9. 9. From now on, you can open the ePub document from the iBooks app on your iPad.

Directly on PC

How to read Open EPUB or Open PDF e-books on a computer

1. 1. Download the free Adobe Digital Editions: https://www.adobe.com/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/download.html
2. 2. Open Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) on your Windows or Mac computer.
3. 3. Go to File > Add to Library.
4. 4. Find the saved EPUB or PDF file on your computer. By default, files are saved to your computer’s “Downloads” folder.
5. 5. Double-click an e-book to start reading, or follow these steps to transfer it to an e-reader.