A qualitative exploration of the assessment process to cochlear implantation for children with hearing loss

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the process of paediatric cochlear implant assessment, from referral to implantation, from the perspective of parents, cochlear implant professionals, and through observations of clinics. DESIGN: Qualitative approach, using grounded theory methodology. STUDY SAMPLE: Twelve families with children under 5 years with permanent hearing loss referred for a cochlear implant or received an implant in the past year, and six professionals who refer or assess children for cochlear implants. Data collection involved interviews and ethnographic observations of assessment clinics. RESULTS: The core theme derived from interview and observation data related to the work of the cochlear implant assessment for families. The relationship between the work generated by the assessment process and capacity of parents to do the work provides a model to examine access to early implantation, consistent with the Burden of Treatment theory. We identified variation in terms of workload, relating to factors such as a child’s additional needs or number of appointments required, and in terms of capacity, relating to factors such as social circumstances or health literacy. Social, peer and professional support and information helped families manage the workload. CONCLUSIONS: Findings have implications for delivery of paediatric cochlear implant services.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2024.2400328
Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Audiology
College of Health & Life Sciences
Aston University (General)
Funding Information: This study was funded by the Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, UK.
Additional Information: Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group on behalf of British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Cochlear implant,infants,children,hearing loss,deaf
Publication ISSN: 1708-8186
Last Modified: 27 Nov 2024 08:20
Date Deposited: 10 Oct 2024 16:03
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: https://www.tan ... 27.2024.2400328 (Publisher URL)
http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2024-10-07
Published Online Date: 2024-10-07
Accepted Date: 2024-08-28
Authors: Hall, Amanda (ORCID Profile 0000-0001-8520-6005)
Dillon, Briony
Pryce, Helen (ORCID Profile 0000-0001-5183-6236)
Ambler, Marette
Hanvey, Kate

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