Cochlear Recovery Proposal

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Hearing loss is difficult at any age. Regardless of whether it occurs early in life or later in life, it requires significant lifestyle adjustments (Goss, 2003). Adjusting to hearing loss is difficult on the hearing impaired as well as their families, friends and peers of the education and work setting (Lamb & Archbold, 2013). It comes as no surprise that adjusting to a hearing loss requires counseling but the same is necessary for those seeking to transition from deaf to hard of hearing through cochlear implantation. Counseling for those seeking to get cochlear implants may vary in delivery depending on age and other factors but there are several key components and topics that a client should be counseled through. The topics can all be …show more content…

There are always risks that come with any major surgery. Fortunately for adults, there are not many surgical risks directly associated with Cochlear Implants (Brito, Monteiro, Leal, Tsuji, Pinna, & Bento, 2012)(Venail, et al., 2008) (Stamatiou, Kyrodimos, & Sismanis, 2011) (Stamatiou, Kyrodimos, & Sismanis, 2011). Due to the multitude of research and CI device improvements, this portion of counseling may in fact be the easiest portion unless the individual seeking a CI has a health issue that would interfere or prohibit them from going through with the CI process. It is important to consider the patient’s experiences and fears related to having a major surgery. A small risk to medical professionals may evoke fear and anxiety in the individual expected to go through the surgery. “In the presence of nonjudgment and unconditional regard, clients often feel affirmed and accepted. When people feel affirmed and accepted for their beliefs and feelings, they can more easily trust and are more willing to accept help from practitioners whom they trust” (Spillers, 2007). Nonetheless, associated risks, even if rare, must be communicated with compassion and attention to detail. In this portion, the candidate’s medical history will also be incorporated into counseling. Some surgical risks associated with Cochlear Implants are, formation of cholesteatoma, facial nerve paralysis, infection, and vertigo. More serious risks include CSF leak and meningitis (Stamatiou, Kyrodimos, & Sismanis, 2011) (Venail, et al.,

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