title: Cochlear Implant: the complexity involved in the decision making process by the family.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to understand the meanings the family attributes to the phases of the decision-making process on a cochlear implant for their child.
  
  
  METHODS
  qualitative research, using Symbolic Interactionism and Grounded Theory as the theoretical and methodological frameworks, respectively. Data collection instrument: semistructured interview. Nine families participated in the study (32 participants).
  
  
  RESULTS
  knowledge deficit, difficulties to contextualize benefits and risks and fear are some factors that make this process difficult. Experiences deriving from interactions with health professionals, other cochlear implant users and their relatives strengthen decision making in favor of the implant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  deciding on whether or not to have the implant involves a complex process, in which the family needs to weigh gains and losses, experience feelings of accountability and guilt, besides overcoming the risk aversion. Hence, this demands cautious preparation and knowledge from the professionals involved in this intervention.
authors.affiliation: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Sheila de Souza
authors.initials: Sde S
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Cecília
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermagem, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Noeli Marchioro Liston Andrade
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermagem, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giselle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dupas
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male