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Parental decision-making in considering cochlear implant technology for a deaf child
Yuelin Li1, Lisa Bain, Annie G Steinberg
1Department of Anesthesia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4385, USA. yuelin@mail.med.upenn.edu
Summary
Parental decisions about cochlear implants (CI) for deaf children depend on eligibility and professional advice. However, parental values and beliefs also significantly influence this choice, emphasizing the need for sensitive evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Cochlear implant (CI) technology has advanced, making treatment for childhood deafness more complex.
- Understanding parental decision-making is crucial for effective CI candidacy evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare decision-making, values, beliefs, and preferences of parents with eligible versus ineligible children for cochlear implantation.
- To identify factors influencing parental consideration of cochlear implants.
Main Methods:
- Surveys administered to 83 hearing parents of deaf children.
- Semi-structured interviews conducted with 50 parents.
- Hypothetical outcomes used to assess parental preferences for child's success (e.g., mainstream vs. bilingual, spoken vs. signed communication).
Main Results:
- Among eligible parents (n=50), 2/3 considered CI. Those not considering CI prioritized bilingual success over mainstream success and signing over speaking.
- Eligible parents not considering CI expressed higher concerns about service costs and school resource availability.
- Parents of ineligible children rarely considered CI, despite similar mainstream outcome aspirations.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implant consideration is influenced by eligibility and professional recommendations.
- Parental goals, values, and beliefs play a significant role beyond eligibility criteria.
- Audiologic evaluations must be sensitive to diverse parental values and beliefs when assessing CI candidacy.