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Aylah Sroloff, PsyD, is a 2024 graduate of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Seattle.

Dissertation Committee

Melissa Kennedy, PhD, Committee Chair

Dana Waters, PsyD, Committee Member

Naama Tsach, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

cochlear implants (CIs), deaf, psychology, qualitative, mental health

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of adult cochlear implant (CI) users, implanted prior to the age of 10-years-old. Seven adult CI users were recruited. In-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences and identities as CI users. Transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, through which six group experimental themes were generated: (a) CIs and identity,” (b) social isolation, (c) advocacy, (d), costs and benefits of integration into the hearing world, and (e) “the future of CIs.” This study’s findings highlighted participants’ perspectives on living with CIs, the challenges they face, their process of identity exploration, and the ways in which their experience as CI users have influenced their hopes for the future. Several theoretical and practical implications are derived from this study’s results, such as need for improvements in healthcare equity and CI technology, better dissemination of CI information within the medical and Deaf communities, and recommendations for supporting the evolution of the burgeoning broader community of CI users. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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Aylah Sroloff, PsyD, 2024

ORCID Scholar ID# 0009-00094538-6449

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