Promoting social well being in adults following cochlear implantation.

Introduction: There are many rehabilitation tools and programs available for adults receiving cochlear implants, with a strong emphasis on self management. Recipient suitability of technology based tools varies, hence the CI clinician must identify the most appropriate methodology for their client. Further, these tools, do not provide the opportunities to develop the social wellbeing that many recipients seek following CI. This paper will identify methods of supporting adult CI recipients through the use of available resources as well as identifying the role of direct traditional 1:1 therapy and the use of volunteers in the rehabilitation process. Method: Two to four weeks post device activation clients were screened to determine and review preoperative goals to determine rehabilitation approaches to be used. Outcomes were measured following a series of individual sessions; therapy supported through self management with support from a volunteer or a combination of both. Results : One or more of the client goals were achieved in all conditions within the period of intervention following device activation. Subjective data and self rating scores showed no significant difference regardless of the type of intervention provided. A longer term rehabilitation program was required in most of the cases which was readily accommodated through ongoing self management and volunteer support. Conclusion : A blend of post operative auditory training approaches in the acute phase following device activation was recommended for clients requiring support in their rehabilitation process. Generalisation of skills was facilitated through the use of volunteers and through self management following a period of individual sessions whereby the recipient gained confidence in their skills and abilities. This study provided a template for managing newly implanted CI recipients across the organisation to ensure that immediate and longitudinal training needs were. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]