Cochlear implantation for a child with cochlear nerve deficiency: Parental perspectives explored through narrative

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore, from the parents’ perspectives, decision-making regarding a cochlear implant (CI) for their child when a favourable outcome is less likely because of abnormal neurophysiology. Design: The primary research method of this single case study was qualitative interviewing drawing on a narrative approach to elicit the parents’ perspectives about their experiences over time. Each parent was interviewed separately, but thematic analyses were undertaken both within and across interviews in order to identify overlaps and differences. Study sample: Participants included the parents of a five-year old child with severe-profound hearing loss, cochlear nerve deficiency, and bilateral common cavities who had received a CI at the age of 18 months. Results: Four themes were identified across the four narrative stages that emerged from the parents’ accounts of their experiences regarding their daughter's CI. Themes included hope and despair, questioning professionals’ motivations, does deafness need a cure, and bringing the child into the family. Although these themes emerged from both parents’ accounts, each parent expressed different perspectives and insights within them. Conclusions: Findings highlight the central place of parental needs and perspectives in decision-making regarding a CI, particularly in the context of uncertain outcomes.

Key Words::

• Parent perspective and hearing loss
• cochlear nerve deficiency
• cochlear implants in children
• hearing loss intervention

Note

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest in the present study. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This research was supported by a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canadian Graduate Scholarship-Masters from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, to Hannah Kotjan.

Notes

1. Luborsky suggests that themes can be identified by looking for statements that are often repeated, or are marked in some way as being of great importance to the informant (e.g. through use of intensifiers or evaluative clauses). These give ʽdirect insight into the primary cultural and personal frameworks of value and belief that shape motivations and the ways people plan and react to events and conditions in their lives’ (Luborsky, 1994, p. 199). Cochlear Nerve Deficiency Int J AudiolRevised: 27 May 2012