Identity and Attitudes towards Cochlear Implant Among Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between identity orientations and attitudes toward cochlear implant (CI). A total of 115 deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) adolescents completed a demographic questionnaire, the Deaf Identity Developmental Scale (DIDS) and an attitudes toward CI questionnaire. The DIDS results showed that participants' bicultural identity was strongest and marginal identity was weakest. In general, participants expressed positive attitudes toward CI. Stronger Deaf identity was associated with less positive attitudes regarding expected CI effects while stronger bicultural identity was associated with more positive attitudes. Also, bicultural identity did not contradict the acceptance of CI technology. It was concluded that exposure of D/HH youngsters to both Deaf culture and the advantages of CI seems desirable. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.