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10/09/2015  |   9:45 AM - 11:00 AM   |  Andrew Foster Auditorium

Understanding and Living with a Cochlear Implant: A Psychotherapeutic Approach

Cochlear implantation has been a widely use and well documented effective treatment for children and adults with profound deafness. Factors which determine an individual’s suitability for implantation and help to predict outcomes include duration of deafness, cause of deafness, previous auditory experience, dedication and motivation. In an effort to provide optimal care to recipients, and provide positive measurable outcomes, cochlear implantation requires a multi-disciplinary team approach. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adults with congenitally profound or post-lingual deafness in adults; understanding and living with a cochlear implant/s. Determining candidacy for cochlear implantation requires thorough pre- and post-operative assessment by a psychiatrist or psychologist and is of vital importance. Following implantation ongoing rehabilitation is required, with the most intensive period in the first twelve months following implantation. Therefore, the psychological assessment should be scheduled as soon as the individual appears likely to be a cochlear implant candidate. Three critical aspects are of cardinal importance, firstly in terms of enthusiasm, motivation and motives for seeking the implant. Secondly is informed consent, which subsumes knowledge and an understanding of “reasonable expectations”. Thirdly, candidates need to be informed of the potential risks and benefits of cochlear implantation and the impact it may have on their life. Six congenitally and four post-lingually deafened cochlear implant recipients who had received their implants as adults were interviewed using a semi-structured interview technique. Little has been written from a psychological evaluation and assessment perspective of cochlear implant candidates. It will be unethical of a psychiatrist or psychologist to do an evaluation and assessment without the skills, expertise, and an understanding of deafness and cochlear implants. This study provides a conceptual framework for the pre and post operative psychological assessment.

• Aspects are of cardinal importance in terms of enthusiasm, motivation and motives for seeking the implant.
• Informed consent, which subsumes knowledge and an understanding of “reasonable expectations”.
• Candidates need to be informed of the potential risks and benefits of cochlear implantation and the impact it may have on their life.

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Magteld Smith (Primary Presenter,Author), University of the Free State, smithm@ufs.ac.za;
Dr Magteld Smith is a medical-social researcher at the University of the Free State, Faculty of Health Sciences within the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. She is the first South African born with bilateral deafness to receive two Master Degrees and a PhD. During 2009 she has received a Med-El cochlear implant. Dr Smith matriculated at the De la Bat School for the Deaf in Worcester. During January 2011, she was awarded with the National Research Foundation, PhD Sabbatical Award and has done research at the Royal National Hospital Nose, Ear and Throat at the University College London. During 2012/2013, she was awarded with the Hubert H. Humphrey Fulbright Scholarship for a period of 14 months at the University of Minnesota, US. Only two South Africans are selected every year by the American State and International Institute for Education. On completion of the Fellowship, she received a certificate signed by the American president, Barack Obama, and was named as one of the top three researchers among 400 researchers from 192 countries. She was also awarded by the International Institute for Education in the US to recognize her outstanding achievements in the field of her research, community involvement and leadership. In June 2014, she delivered a presentation at the 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies in Munich, Germany. In July 2014, she delivered a presentation at the 5th Annual Coalition for Global Hearing Health, Oxford, UK. During August 2014, she received the Golden Key International Honour Society Award and a Scholarship for outstanding scholastic proficiency and academic merit. Her research is published in various peer-reviewed scientific journals. Dr Smith is also a Board Member of the National Institute for the Deaf in Worcester, South Africa.