Academics
Areas of Study

Overview

In the United States, candidacy and insurance coverage for cochlear implant (CI) technology is determined mainly by guidelines set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Current FDA guidelines for CI candidacy include meeting a minimum age requirement, having a certain degree of hearing loss, and demonstrating limited benefit from traditional hearing aid technology as determined by performance on speech perception tests.

Given the heavy reliance on speech perception measures in determining CI candidacy, research surrounding device outcome measures has also generally been based upon the acquisition and understanding of spoken language.

While speech perception assessments may be accurate tools to measure or determine device success for most CI users, this measurement pattern potentially omits a subset of the population – CI users with a preference for communicating via American Sign Language (ASL).

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the perspectives of CI users who identify ASL as their preferred or primary language. More specifically, this project aims to do the following:

  • Evaluate what CI users, who are also members of the deaf community, view as the purpose of their implant
  • Assess whether or not the purpose of their CI relates to or affects their identity
  • Examine the ways that CI users who prefer to communicate via ASL define successful outcomes of implantation.

Courses

Other

Special topics in the discipline, designed primarily for freshmen. Students may enroll in 195 Special Topics multiple times, as long as the topics differ.

Special topics in the discipline, designed primarily for sophomores. Students may enroll in 295 Special Topics multiple times, as long as the topics differ.

A multidisciplinary study of a given topic. A variety of academic disciplines and/or professions contribute to an examination of a single but complex topic in order to gain a broader perspective than is possible through the lens of one discipline. Although one professor will coordinate the course, there will be frequent guest lecturers from other disciplines or specialties and field trips where appropriate. Topics vary each semester.

Special topics in the discipline, designed primarily for juniors. Students may enroll in 395 Special Topics multiple times, as long as the topics differ.

Intensive development of an approved idea for a project conducted under the supervision of a project director. While the prime example of a project is a thesis, other projects include a creative work, technical innovation, or other work of originality, depth, and rigor that prepares the student for graduate or professional work. Successful completion of the course requires submission of a project proposal acceptable to the student's capstone committee and the Honors Council. May count toward requirements for the major with permission of the department.

This course focuses on continued progress on the capstone project following individual timelines approved by committees and the Honors instructor. For the capstone project work approved in HON 487, modification of the project may be made with the consent of the student's capstone committee, the HON 488 instructor, and the Honors Council. The student's capstone committee, the HON 488 instructor, and the Honors Council will determine adequate progress and successful completion of the course. May count toward requirements for the major with permission of the department.

Completion of project proposed in HON 487. Modification of the project may be made with the consent of the student's capstone committee, the HON 489 instructor, and the Honors Council. Successful completion of the course requires approval by the student's capstone committee, the HON 489 instructor, and the Honors Council. May count toward requirements for the major with permission of the department.

Special topics in the discipline, designed primarily for seniors who are majors or minors. Students may enroll in 495 Special Topics multiple times, as long as the topics differ.

Intensive supervised study and research on topics of the student's selection.

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Deaf Cochlear Implant Users’ Perspectives on Successful Device Outcome Measures

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