Psychological Evaluation of Adults in a Cochlear Implant Program

Relatively few papers have been written about the psychological evaluation of cochlear implant patients, compared to the number of reports on surgical and audiological aspects. Formal and informal psychological assessment are an integral part of the cochlear implant program at Manchester and contribute to team decisions about the suitability of patients for implantation. The psychologist also monitors the subsequent progress of recipients.

This paper describes the major reasons for carrying out psychological evaluations of prospective recipients and for monitoring their psychological status. The main assessment techniques used in the Manchester program are outlined. Group findings from the initial assessments of the first 40 cochlear implant patients (including five deaf-blind patients) are also reported.