Parents views on Cochlear Implants By Stacy Green

Parents Decision Making Process After parents discover that their child is deaf, they are faced with a very difficult decision; to give their child a cochlear implant or not to give their child a cochlear implant. Within this decision lies the choice a parent must make for their child’s future. Grieving Stressed Overwhelmed

Parents Decision Making Process Research has shown that implantation at a younger age indicated that the child performed better than a child who was implanted later in life while other research has proven that implantation may not always be beneficial. Younger is Better!

Parents Decision Making Process The main reason parents decide against cochlear implantation is that there is no guarantee about the level of benefit their children will receive from having the implant.

Parents Decision Making Process There is no guarantee from any doctor, therapist, or any other health care professional that will assure 100% success. Parents don’t want their son or daughter to lose their Deaf identity, and parents worry, that in the future, their child may not fully embrace and appreciate the cochlear implants.

Parents Decision Making Process Though infrequent, complications may occur from cochlear implant surgery. Such problems include facial nerve paralysis, vestibular problems, and infections. There are also possibilities of postsurgical complications such as meningitis. Medical Risks:  Facial Nerve Paralysis  Vestibular Problems  Infections  Postsurgical Complications- Meningitis

Parents Decision Making Process These risks are enough to help parents decide against cochlear implants especially when the surgery is performed on such small infants. Medical Risks:  Facial Nerve Paralysis  Vestibular Problems  Infections  Postsurgical Complications- Meningitis