Entertainment television and hearing students' attitudes regarding the pediatric cochlear implant.

The cochlear implant, a bionic technology that restores sound sensation in some patients, has become ethically controversial in the 20 years since its introduction. This controversy recently has entered American entertainment culture, with the issue of pediatric implants emerging in episodes of popular TV programs. This pilot study examines the effects of one such TV episode on the attitudes of hearing college students with minimal prior exposure to the controversy, using a posttest-only control group design. The control group (N = 17) watched an unrelated entertainment video and filled out an original 10-item attitude scale. The treatment group (N = 18), which viewed an episode of the dramatic series Gideon's Crossing addressing the cochlear implant issue, also filled out the attitude scale. A t test was applied, and it was determined that no significant difference existed between the two groups' attitudes regarding pediatric cochlear implants. Although there was wide variability on individual items, overall scores indicated that both groups were neutral, or undecided, regarding cochlear implantation in children.

Assessing the employment and independence of people who are deaf and low functioning.

There is much variation in functional level among people who are deaf and low functioning. The present study focused on the work and independent living status of people who are deaf and have varying levels of low functioning. Each study participant attended a comprehensive rehabilitation facility. Information was collected through personal interviews. Not all interviewees were employed at the time of the interview, but the majority lived on their own. Those interviewees who worked were, on the whole, happy with their jobs. Workplace accommodations were virtually nonexistent, while home accommodations included television closed captioning, TTYs, and alarm clocks with visual or vibrating signals. Suggestions and guidelines are given on areas in which people who are deaf and low functioning may need services beyond job placement.