Questions
Answers for families considering SparkMinds.
The questions parents most often ask. If yours isn't here, write to hello@sparkminds.co.
- What is SparkMinds?
- SparkMinds is a personalized daily guidance platform for families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and use hearing aids or cochlear implants. It turns everyday moments into structured listening and spoken language practice, grounded in the science of early language development and created by a leading listening and spoken language specialist.
- Is SparkMinds a medical or diagnostic service?
- No. SparkMinds supports and reinforces professional care. It is not a medical or diagnostic service and does not replace your audiologists, teachers of the deaf, or therapists. Our tools help you notice patterns and share them with your care team; they do not diagnose.
- How is it personalized?
- SparkMinds tailors guidance to your child and family: their age, hearing technology, listening goals, and your daily routines, so the practice fits your life rather than a generic curriculum.
- Do I still need my clinicians and therapists?
- Yes, absolutely. SparkMinds is built to work alongside your audiologist, teacher of the deaf, and speech-language pathologist, not to replace them. It helps you make the most of everyday moments between appointments and gives your care team clearer information.
- If I use SparkMinds, can I also use sign language with my child?
- Of course! SparkMinds helps parents maximize language learning opportunities for their children. Language is language.
- Who is it for? What devices and ages?
- Families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and use hearing technology, with a focus on the early years (roughly ages 0 to 5), when listening and spoken language are being built. It fits bilateral, unilateral, and bimodal (cochlear implant plus hearing aid) setups.
- Do I need to be tech-savvy or an expert?
- No expertise needed. The app teaches you what to do and guides you through it live, so you never have to figure it out alone. You already know your child best. SparkMinds adds intention to your intuition.
- How much time does it take?
- Very little. The daily practice is designed to fit a real family day, often just a few minutes, woven into the everyday moments you already share with your child rather than added on top of them.
- When does it launch, and how does the waitlist work?
- We onboard Founding Families gradually, because real personalization takes care. Join the waitlist and we will be in touch as we open access. Listening Check, our focused iPhone app, launches first for Founding Families.
- What does it cost?
- Joining the Founding Families waitlist is free. We are finalizing pricing and will share it with Founding Families before launch, with no obligation to continue.
- Can I share results from Listening Check with my audiologist?
- Yes. Listening Check can turn weeks of checks into a clean report, with error patterns per ear, device details, and history, that you can bring to your audiologist or therapist to help fine-tune your child's devices.
- How is my data handled?
- Privacy first. Listening Check stores its data on your iPhone; we do not collect, transmit, or sell personal information from the app. For the website waitlist, we use your details only to personalize your experience and keep you informed, never to sell or share them. See our privacy policy for the full description.
- What platforms is it available on?
- SparkMinds is available on the iPhone and Android. Listening Check launches first on iPhone and will come soon to Android.
Still have any questions?
The best way to understand and influence SparkMinds is to join the families building it with us.