5 Tips for Preparing Your Child for Cochlear Implant Surgery
by Angie King

 
Are you considering a cochlear implant for your child? It's tough to help your child calm his or her fears about an upcoming surgery when you yourself are a bushel of nerves. Below are 5 important tips to help alleviate yours and your child's fears about the surgery and hospital visit.


SEEK SUPPORT
Contact a local family who's had the same surgery and invite them over for a visit. Ask them what they did to help their children prepare. Most families are more than willing to share their experience and show off their new hearing device.

Our family did this for a newly diagnosed child. At age 4 a local child suddenly lost her hearing and qualified for a cochlear implant. It was so important for the little girl to see what a cochlear implant looked like as well as for the parents who were just learning about raising a hearing impaired child. It gave the child the hope that she would again hear and provided the parents with the confidence needed to know that they were making the right decision for their child.


SCHEDULING SURGERY
For parents who have young children, talk to your surgeon about scheduling your child's surgery as early as possible in the morning rather than the afternoon. Since the child will have to stop eating the evening before, a morning surgery time means that the child does not have to fast for a long period during waking hours. Be sure to pack a special suitcase for the actual surgery. Take along a few of your child's favorite toys, a special stuffed animal and a family photo album. Familiar items will lend comfort to your child in the hospital.

VISIT THE HOSPITAL
Depending on your child, a family outing to the hospital prior to the surgery might also be helpful. While you are there plan to visit to the implant center. Ask the doctor or audiologist to demonstrate the outer and inner implant equipment to your family. The implant centers have a demonstration kit that contains samples of the outer and inner implant equipment.

BOOKS AND PICTURES FOR CHILDREN
Read books and look at photographs prior to the surgery day. To familiarize your child with hospital stays, read books about being in the hospital. Some suggestions include Curious George Goes to the Hospital, by H. A. Rey, a classic children's book recommended for ages 4 to 7, and Going to the Hospital , by Fred Rogers, recommended for children ages 5 to 6.

Cochlear Corporation produces a children's coloring book featuring a child receiving a cochlear implant and uses wording and drawings intended to appeal to young children. It is available free-of-charge from most Nucleus implant centers or from Cochlear.

Advanced Bionics has just released a free calendar with pictures drawn by children with cochlear implants expressing why they love their implant. To get your free copy, fill out the form on this page: http://www.bionicear.com/promo/calendar.html

For a fun, printable children's coloring book called, "Alexander Gets a Cochlear Implant," visit The Hospital for Sick Children's web site at: http://www.sickkids.on.ca/cochlearimplant/surg.asp To assist your child in getting ready for cochlear implant surgery, there is also a set of boy and girl dolls that you can make at this site.

FURTHER READING FOR PARENTS
Be sure to ask your doctor about any concerns you may have. Below are several online resources that you may find useful.

Preparing Your Child for the Hospital and Surgery by KidsHealth is an in-depth article for parents.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/surgery/hosp_surgery.html


Preparing Children for Surgery by the University of Michigan Health System discusses what to expect before and after surgery as well as pain medication.
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/topics/surg24.htm

Preparing Your Child for Surgery by St. Joseph's Hospital in Wisconsin offers excellent age appropriate tips and ways to talk with your child.
http://www.stjosephs-marshfield.org/children/preparingforsurgery.htm
 

© Copyright Angie King, 2002. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this article requires express, written permission of the author. Send an email to mailto:info@focusonhearing.org with your request.

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