Making the decision regarding cochlear implants.
Date
2012-03-30
Authors
Govender, Magaspari (Shireen)
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Abstract
The decision regarding cochlear implantation is complex and involves the consideration of a
multitude of factors that will influence the future of a hearing impaired child. Parents are
often faced with the task of making this decision urgently during a period when they dealing
with the diagnosis of a hearing loss. To date, there is sparse literature available on parental
readiness for cochlear implantation. An understanding of parental experiences during the
decision making process will help professionals involved in the cochlear implant teams to
help parents through this difficult decision making time and hence have significant clinical
implications for future practice. This is particularly relevant in South Africa where there is
very little literature to guide both parents and professionals with regard to decision making.
The objective of this study was to determine parental descriptions of their experiences with
regard to the decision of cochlear implantation for their young children with hearing loss as
well as the factors that needed to be considered by the parents for the child when deciding on
a cochlear implant. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 13 parents at a Learning
Facility in South Africa. The results revealed that the decision for cochlear implantation was
based on two critical factors which were the sense of urgency and the future of the child.
Other considerations such as the financial consideration, surgical risk, aesthetics,
communicative outcomes, family consensus, and parental readiness were identified. The
power of professionals during this time when decisions are being made in the context of
ignorance and within an oral environment was revealed. This finding raised the question of
the ethical and moral practice of professionals involved in cochlear implantation.
Description
Keywords
Cochlear implants, Hearing loss