The actual condition of children with cochlear implant (s) and the reviewing of both ear operations―questionnaire survey of the mothers―

Abstract

　The subjects of this study were 45 persons less than 19 years old who had undergone cochlear implant surgery at Ehime University hospital. In addition, a questionnaire survey was carried out of the mothers. Mothers of 25 of the subjects responded to the questionnaire. The questionnaire survey was intended to determine the operation to the idea and the indication for cochlear implant surgery for the contralateral ear. Also, in the case bilateral cochlear implants, data were collected about both the ear operations. The questionnaire contained items designed to determine the indication for the operation, the perceived advantages of cochlear implant surgery, the unfavorable aspects of the surgery, the future expectations for the child, the support needed by the child, and the indications for operation of the contralateral ear. Among the reasons for deciding on bilateral cochlear implant surgery was the hope of binaural hearing, and the point which wasn't good, it made add being anxious about bilateral cochlear implants. The results revealed that the reason why mothers chose cochlear implant surgery was the hope that the child can live and assimilate in the world of the spoken language. After operation, aural communication became possible. However, limitations of cochlear implant surgery were also revealed. Information compensation and high-quality social involvement were still problematic.