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Peer Review

IMRaD Introduction and Methods

Introduction:

Imagine you were deaf, and you were given the chance to hear. Would you do it? Would it be an easy decision? In recent years, medical and technological advances have resulted in the invention of cochlear implants (CI): medical devices created to give partial hearing abilities to those who are hard of hearing or completely deaf (Mayo Clinic, 2016). This new invention has led a multitude of people to abandon their old way of life for a new one in the hearing community. However, the decision about whether to use cochlear implants is not that simple, and has aroused heated debate between d/Deaf[1] and hearing people. Researchers in support of implants (Tucker and Teagle) reason that the main benefit of cochlear implants is that they give the individual the ability to join the hearing society, creating a better quality of life through new opportunities (1998, 2012). Tucker conjectures that communication, specifically through hearing, is inseparable from and intimately tied to quality of life (2012). Other researchers (Hallberg, Ringdahl, Holmes, Carver; Warner-Czyz, Loy, Tobey, Nakonezny, Roland) accredit implants with improved voice perception of others and the own individual’s ability to mimic speech (2005, 2011). For those who identify as Deaf, their deafness is an intrinsically invaluable part of their identity (Levy 2002 p. 134). They consider Deafness as an identity, the foundation of Deaf communities, not just a diagnosable condition (Levy 2002). Other scholars reason that those in Deaf Culture do not have to worry about barriers in communication or understanding and instead they can enjoy a “rich history, language, and value system of  [their] own” (Crouch 1997). Furthermore, researchers reason that this inability to fully assimilate to the hearing world while leaving the Deaf community creates confusion for the recipient, leaving them in “Limbo” (Ramsey, 2000 p. 79).  Although both have strong opinions about implantation, there are also clear gaps in research and discussions for both that need to be addressed. Currently, the only scholars in the discussion about CI are privileged, hearing men and women who have not been deaf or gotten a CI. They make their arguments without the benefit of personal experience. Interviews should be conducted with individuals who were old enough to experience life both d/Deaf and then with cochlear implants. This gap will be addressed through new research in this report. The research was conducted by interview and survey, asking the community of people who have had implants what their biggest obstacle was for transitioning from d/Deaf to hearing culture.

Methods

Participants

A total of 102 participants were surveyed in this study, and one individual was interviewed. Only individuals of all ages who had cochlear implants could participate. All submissions were anonymous.

Procedures

The survey was conducted online, and the interview was conducted over email. Professor Hem Paudel and fellow peers approved the survey. The 10-question survey was conducted on SurveyMonkey and was worded as follows:

1.     Before getting cochlear implants, what type of hearing loss did you have?

Slight

Mild

Moderate

Moderately severe

Severe

Profound

2.     Before cochlear implants, did you identify with hearing or Deaf culture?

Hearing culture

Deaf culture

Other (please specifiy)

3.     Before cochlear implants, did you use signed language to communicate?

Signed language

Voice

Other (please specify)

4.     What age did you get your cochlear implant(s)?

Under 16

16-25

26-49

50-65

Over 65 years

5.     When using your cochlear implants, what type of hearing loss do you have?

Slight

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Profound

6.     After the implantation, how do you communicate?

Signed language

Voice

Signed language and voice

Other (please specify)

7.      The transition from Deaf Culture to hearing culture was difficult.

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

N/A

8.     I still struggle daily with participating in the hearing world.

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

9.     I have no regrets in getting the implants

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

10.  What was the most difficult part of transition after cochlear implants?

(Open-ended question) 

Data Analysis

The data from the survey was analyzed through SurveyMonkey. The analyzing of results provided percentages of which respondents chose what for each question. The author of this paper analyzed the free response question and interview.

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[1]deaf: refers to the condition of having partial or complete inability to hear

Deaf: refers to those who are deaf and embrace cultural norms, beliefs, and values of the Deaf Community (National Association for the Deaf, 2016)

Rhetorical Moves

Similarities:
Both had similar main purposes directed at the audience: to inform/evaluate the effectiveness of using powerpoint. The articles certainly introduce the topic and discuss why it is an important. They also both do a good job catching the audience's attention Additionally, both articles seemed to introduce a brief summery of the topic and past criticisms and reviews on it as well. They utilized visual aids and results from their study in their discussion. They both definitely use a lot of sources to support their points or while discussing past arguments or reviews of the topic, strengthening the overall quality of both articles.

Differences:

Although both seem to be pretty well written articles, "Is there power in PowerPoint? A field test of the efficacy of PowerPoint on memory and recall of religious sermons" seems to be more formally written and structured. They begin the article with an abstract which is very formal to begin with. Additionally, they present visual aids that are very specific to their discussion, while the other article seems to have found general slides to present in the article. However, "A Case for Sentence Headlines and Visual Evidence," provided small sections for the reader, making the structure easier to figure out and read. The other article was well organized too, but the long sections made the article look daunting. 

Survey and Interview Questions

Create your own user feedback survey

Interview Questions:

What type of hearing did you have before cochlear implants (profound, etc)?

How long was it before you got cochlear implants?

Do you know American Sign Language?

Did you identify with Deaf Culture before the implantation?

What were the biggest obstacles you had to deal with when you could not hear?

How long have you had cochlear implants?

Do you identify with hearing culture now?

Was there any specific reason that made you decide to get cochlear implants when you did?

Was there anyone in your life that agreed with or disagreed with your decision?

Are you personally happy/content with your decision?
Are there any communication barriers still in the hearing world now?

How would you describe the transition? Easy or difficult?

5 things to avoid when making survey questions

·      -Do not replicate a survey someone else has already done if it is in the same context

·      -Do not make the questionnaire/survey too long.

·      -Do not use ambiguous/imprecise questions and answers

·      -Do not use emotionally charged language to steer the answer
-Do not use double-barreled questions 

Topic Proposal for IMRaD Paper

Briefly explain why the topic you’ve chosen is important

This topic is important because as previously discussed in my literature review, there is one large gap that is not addressed by the majority of studies on cochlear implants: what does those with the implants think of the change, would they regret it, etc…In order to have a viable, holistic discussion on cochlear implants, we must at least begin to conduct more research with personal information provided by the recipients themselves. This is why my research project is important, because it broadens this important discussion that has been previously leaving out important voices.

·       State two research questions:

1. What is the biggest obstacle for CI recipients in transitioning from Deaf to hearing culture?

2. Is getting cochlear implants effective enough in participants to allow them to participate in hearing culture? 

·       Describe your research plan (talk about what kind of primary research you are planning to conduct, e.g., surveys, interviews, or experiment; research participants; research site; and ways to analyze data).

I am planning on conducting one in depth interview with a cochlear implant recipient and broader more wide-reaching surveys taken by only cochlear implant recipients. If necessary after these two are conducted, I may use a research site.

The surveys and interview will focus on the experiences of recipients, such as did they have trouble transition, do they have any regrets, etc…