Bioethics and medical/legal considerations on cochlear implants in children.
Cochlear implants are the best treatment for congenital profound deafness. Pediatric candidates to implantation are seen as vulnerable citizens, and the decision of implanting cochlear devices is ultimately in the hands of their parents/guardians. The Brazilian Penal Code dictates that deaf people may enjoy diminished criminal capacity. Many are the bioethical controversies around cochlear implants, as representatives from the deaf community have seen in them a means of decimating their culture and intrinsic values.


OBJECTIVE
This paper aims to discuss, in bioethical terms, the validity of implanting cochlear hearing aids in children by analyzing their vulnerability and the social/cultural implications of the procedure itself, aside from looking into the medical/legal aspects connected to their criminal capacity.


METHODS
The topic was searched on databases Medline and Lilacs; ethical analysis was done based on principialist bioethics.


RESULTS
Cochlear implants are the best therapeutic option for people with profound deafness and are morally justified. The level of criminal capacity attributed to deaf people requires careful analysis of the subject's degree of understanding and determination when carrying out the acts for which he/she has been charged.


CONCLUSIONS
Cochlear implants are morally valid. Implantations must be analyzed on an each case basis. ENT physicians bear the ethical responsibility for indicating cochlear implants and must properly inform the child's parents/guardians and get their written consent before performing the procedure.
Medical School of ABC.
Ivan Dieb
ID
Miziara
Carmen Silvia Molleis Galego
CS
Miziara
Robson Koji
RK
Tsuji
Ricardo Ferreira
RF
Bento
D026688:Bioethical Issues; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000941:ethics*; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000941:ethics*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012945:Social Values