title: Audiologists' knowledge of cochlear implants and their related referrals to the cochlear implant centre: Pilot study findings from UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The guidelines for cochlear implantation are well defined and have changed over time with the improvement in technology. The ease with which audiologists can make a referral to a cochlear implant (CI) centre may affect the time it takes before a candidate can gain benefit from a CI. The current service evaluation explores audiologists' awareness of CIs, and whether this could influence referrals for cochlear implantation in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 31-item questionnaire was developed by the authors, to be completed in about 10 minutes. It was designed to elicit information about the training, experience, and practice of audiologists. The questionnaire was designed based on National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines and questions used in the previous studies reported in the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the respondents (97%) agreed that CIs can provide more than just environmental awareness. Almost half of the respondents were confident in determining whether a particular patient meets the guidelines of cochlear implantation in the UK, and in discussing CIs with patients and their families. Audiologists who responded felt that more and regular training in referral criteria, benefits, and outcomes would be beneficial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show a trend that clinical scientists (audiology)/audiologists support cochlear implantation, but due to a lack of training and familiarity, not all are confident in discussing CIs with patients and making an appropriate referral.
authors: University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. S.Chundu@soton.ac.uk
authors: Srikanth
authors: S
authors: Chundu
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Buhagiar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001298:Audiology / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom