Exploring decision making about paediatric cochlear implantation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring decision making about cochlear implantation for deaf children
IRAS ID
248780
Contact name
Amanda Hall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Early fitting of cochlear implants (a type of surgically implanted hearing aid) help children born deaf to develop age-appropriate speech. If these are fitted later than age 2, a child is unlikely to reach their language potential. In the Midlands, approximately 50% of children receive their cochlear implant after age 2 and we aim to investigate reasons for this. The process from referral to implantation is lengthy and involves detailed hearing and medical assessments, which can be burdensome for families. We will interview parents and clinicians to understand more about this process, and we will observe clinic sessions to start to understand the joint decision making processes. Ultimately we aim to identify reasons why some children receive their cochlear implants later than others.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0137
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion