Making the decision to get a cochlear implant (CI) and learning how to use the technology effectively in everyday life is a personal and complex process. A new report from the Ear Foundation highlights the benefits of Ida Telecare tools in exploring CI patients’ individual needs and experiences and helping them prepare for appointments.
The report is based on surveys and a focus group conducted with adults with CIs, who were asked to test and give feedback on Ida’s Living Well Online and The People I Talk To tools.
The participants reported that using the tools would help them feel more involved in their own care. Participants felt strongly that rehabilitation is highly individual, and found the tools useful in tailoring support to individual needs.
“The more I sat and did it, I really enjoyed doing it,” one participant commented. “I could really apply it to my life.”
“I can only see it as being a positive tool for people to use and it’s really simple and really easy and quite fun as well,” said another.
Feedback from participants also led to the conclusion that the rehabilitation process begins during the decision-making process – when the patient is receiving information provided by the CI team and before the patient receives the CI itself. The report therefore suggests introducing Living Well Online and My Turn to Talk during early phases in the CI pathway.
You can download the full report here. Visit our Cochlear Implants for Adults tools to access Living Well Online and The People I Talk To.