A comparison of the anticipated benefits and received outcomes of pediatric cochlear implantation: parental perspectives.
Findings of a study that investigated parents' expectations and experiences of their children's outcomes with cochlear implants are presented. A survey completed by 247 parents whose children had received implants in eastern Australia compared parents' reports of their preimplant expectations with their experiences of postimplant outcomes on several items related to communication, academic, and psychosocial domains. Quantitative findings derived from the survey data were extended and elaborated on by qualitative findings from interviews with 27 of the parents. The findings indicated that parents' relatively high expectations of their children's outcomes largely had been met, although a tenth of survey respondents reported that their expectations had not been met. It appeared that professionals generally provided parents with realistic expectations. The qualitative findings revealed a complex interaction among parents' expectations, hopes, and determination that their children would do well with the implant. Implications for professionals are discussed.
Faculty of Science and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Merv
M
Hyde
Renée
R
Punch
Linda
L
Komesaroff
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult