Making connections. Cochlear Implants: The impact on the people around you
This leaflet has been devised to explore and develop awareness of the impact a cochlear implant assessment and implantation can have on an individual and their family and friends around them. Assessment Phase
Work and employment
The assessment and initial tuning stages will involve a number of visits to the Auditory Implant Service and we understand that some employers might find it difficult to understand this, and it is at times hard to be given time off work to attend these appointments. We are happy to provide a letter which explains what In the assessment pack, there is information which can be used to help explain the process to family and friends. these stages of the process entail – the cochlear implant candidate can then give this letter to their employer. During the assessment phase, it is important that close family and friends are included as much as possible, so that they understand the process and can support you/ your child in the journey towards having a cochlear implant.
Post Implantation Throughout the period of tuning the speech processor, the adult or child will begin to understand more environmental sounds and speech. Alongside this their communication, confidence and their independence will develop and grow. As the person with a cochlear implant becomes less dependent on others they may explore more or new social activities. Family and friends may notice that relationships change, for example, in the way that conversation is balanced. Partners, family members, sons and daughters may feel that they are not needed as much as they were before to be the person’s “ears”. Involving these important people in your “journey” and exploring how things have changed will be very reassuring and helpful.
Work colleagues might have high expectations of what a cochlear implant is able to do for an individual. They might not be aware that once someone has a cochlear implant it will take time for them to be able to make sense of the sounds they hear. Situations like big group meetings and using the telephone might always be difficult for cochlear implant users and work colleagues need to be reminded of this and how they can best support the individual. Contact us Please feel free to contact us for further information. All enquiries to: Cochlear Implant Programme University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service Building 19 Highfield Southampton so17 1bj United Kingdom Telephone: 023 8059 3522 Fax: 023 8059 9608 SMS: 07887 790 765 Email: ais@southampton.ac.uk
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“This is a symbolic painting to show that, thanks to the beautiful spiral-shaped electrodes in the cochlea, I am able to hear more than ever before. To me as an artist and having an implant, I felt that special moment was when it was first ‘switched on’. The constellation of electrodes are twinkling and therefore new sounds can be heard for the first time. Hence ‘dawn’ in this painting, bringing colours which represent sounds. The mountains are icy, symbolising clear, crisp, and beautiful noises.” Richard Bizley | www.bizleyart.com Richard was born profoundly deaf and received a cochlear implant in 2010
www.southampton.ac.uk/ais ais@southampton.ac.uk +44 (0)23 8059 3522