Identity change of late-deafened adults after receiving cochlear implants

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this research was to understand how adults reconceptualise their identity when experiencing hearing loss as an adult, and how their identity might change with a cochlear implant.

Materials and methods

Using an online survey administered through cochlear implant social media groups, with follow-up semi-structured interviews, participants answered questions about their hearing loss and cochlear implant experiences. Forty-four people answered the survey and 16 participated in an in-depth interview. All were older than 18 years, once had heard, became deafened in adulthood and had at least one cochlear implant.

Results

The decision to have a cochlear implant often meant acknowledging they were no longer a hearing person. After having an implant four themes emerged. (1) Some participants maintained a hearing identity through hearing loss and after cochlear implantation, while others returned to their hearing identity. (2) Others acknowledged a confused identity, neither deaf nor hearing. In unexpected findings, (3) during the progression of hearing loss, some participants had identified as hearing but could not hear, however after implantation, they became deaf people who could hear. (4) Furthermore, after implantation, some participants identified as disabled when they had not done so when less able to hear.

Conclusion

Given the prevalence of hearing loss in later life, it is important to understand the way these adults understand their identity through the progression of hearing loss and after becoming cochlear implant recipients. The belief people have of themselves impacts healthcare choices and affects their commitment to ongoing rehabilitation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Rehabilitation may often be overlooked by hearing healthcare providers, but it is a critical component of hearing healthcare

• Hearing healthcare providers need rehabilitation strategies which recognise psychosocial issues impacting late-deafened adults and include counselling to help individuals cope with stigma and identity issues during different stages of hearing loss and cochlear implantation

• Hearing rehabilitation may overlook concepts of identity, although identity is a critical part of living with hearing loss

• The way a person identifies is likely to impact on their approach to rehabilitation

Keywords:

• Cochlear implant
• late-deafened adult
• identity
• disability
• deaf
• hearing-loss
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

Thank you to all survey and interview participants as well as the social media moderators and CICADA, who helped with recruitment.

Disclosure statement

This research was conducted as part of a Master of Research degree and the primary author (FB) received a Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Macquarie University, Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.