Parental Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) at Pre-cochlear Implant speech therapy assessment

Abstract

Objective

To highlight parent’s knowledge, attitude and perception at pre-cochlear implant speech therapy assessment.

Method:

It was a questionnaire-based study. Data was collected from Speech therapy clinic, Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine from June 2020 to December 2021. A total of 100 parents who accompanied their child for fitness of cochlear implant were asked for participation in the study out of which 70 gave consent. Frequencies and percentages of knowledge, attitude and perception were calculated by using SPSS software.

Results:

Majority of the parents(68.5%) were not aware of the effects of cochlear implant on hearing and also did not know about auditory sandwich(94%) and effective auditory verbal strategies(71.5%) respectively.However most of the parents(97.1%) had rational perceptions and expectations regarding the development of speech and auditory skills post-implant and 97 % of parents noticed a healthy attitude towards their child.  

Conclusion:

During pre- cochlear implant assessment Parental knowledge, attitude and perception should be considered valuable and adequate counseling should be done by health care professionals in order to reduce post- implant therapeutic failure.