Genre 5 – Interview Transcript

This is a fictional interview between a speech-language pathologist and the mother of a child with a cochlear implant. 

SLP:  I am Miss Kester, the speech-language pathologist here at the medical center.  In order to help Caden, I need to first find out some information about his history and then where he currently stands with his hearing and communication.  So, I’d like to begin by discussing Caden’s problems with his hearing.  Then I’ll spend some time with Caden by himself, and then meet with you again when we’re finished. 
First, when did you find out Caden had a hearing loss?

Mrs. Hart: Well, they told us before we left the hospital that he had failed his newborn hearing screening so we needed to come back to the hospital in two weeks.  By the time he was a month old we knew that he was profoundly deaf in his left ear, and severe to profoundly deaf in his right ear.

SLP:  After receiving the diagnosis, what were you advised to do, and then what actions were actually taken?

Mrs. Hart: Our audiologist told us that the sooner we started, the better, but we first had to have a trial with hearing aids for at least six months, and if that was not successful then Caden may qualify for a Cochlear Implant (Reed, 2005.)  He got his hearing aids at around two months old.

SLP: What happened next?

Mrs. Hart:   Despite the constant fight at first, Caden wore his hearing aids, but he did not really benefit much from them.  The audiologist said it was because of the type of hearing loss he had, and then recommended that we consider a Cochlear Implant. After doing some research ourself, most of the research we found claimed that children who are implanted when they are younger show stronger skills in language and speech than children implated later in life (Connor, Craig, Raudenbush, Heavner, & Zwolan, 2006).  We decided that an implant was the best option for us. 

SLP: So, what are your hopes as far as communication is concerned for Caden?  Do you want him to sign? Do you want him to be verbal/oral?

Mrs. Hart: Both my husband and I have decided that we want Caden to hear and verbally speak.  We do not want him to sign as his main means of communicating unless that is that absolute last resort. 

SLP:  Yes, as long as that is what your family wants then that will be our goal with Caden.  According to an article by Ann Geers (2006) one of the main goals of cochlear implantation in children is to help develop spoken language.  So, I think we are on the right track. 
         You said he just grunts right now, so you haven’t heard him use any true words?

Mrs. Hart: No, we haven’t.

SLP:  Ok, Can you describe how he gets you to understand what it is exactly when he wants something?

Mrs. Hart: Most of the time he will either gesture or go get it first if it is something that is within his reach.  If it is not something he can get himself then he will come get Mike or myself and point to it so we can get it for him.  He does know a few signs for things like eat, drink, more, and a few others but not very many.  He does get very frustrated with us and his brother if he we do not understand what it is exactly that he wants.

SLP: So he does not presently have any other medical conditions or illnesses?

Mrs. Hart: No, he doesn’t.

SLP: He has not had any speech therapy up until this point, correct?

Mrs. Hart: That is correct. 

SLP: Ok, well do you have any questions for me before I take Caden back with me for a little while?

Mrs. Hart: No, I don’t believe so.

SLP: Alright, well if you don’t mind to stay here we’ll be back in about 45 minutes or so.

The SLP takes Caden back for about 60 minutes to give him a speech and language evaluation.  After completing the tests, she is now meeting with Mrs. and Mr. Hart to discuss the recommendations.

SLP:  Well, we’re back…are you all alright out here?

Mrs. Hart: Oh yes, we are fine.

SLP: Okay, well Caden did fairly well with some of the tasks that we worked on for a little while.  He is a very friendly and happy little boy. Like we expected, he is behind with his speech and language.  Caden’s vocabulary is delayed because he has not been exposed and able to hear the sounds and words.  Children with his type of loss often have difficulty with grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing (Reed, 2005).  So, I do recommend speech therapy for him.  Because you both want him to use spoken language, we will use the auditory-oral approach in therapy.  This type of therapy uses both listening and visual cues from speech reading (Reed, 2005).  Does that sound okay with you two?

Mrs. Hart:  Yes, what do we need to do next?

SLP: Well, we can process all of the evaluation results and then decide on what days you/he is available for therapy.  We will also get you and his audiogist a copy of the report.

Mrs. Hart: Ok, so should we call you?

SLP:  Yes or I will call you tomorrow so we can set up a schedule for Caden.  Do you all have any other questions?

Mrs. Hart: No, I think that’s all.

SLP: Okay, well thank you all very much for your time.  It was very nice meeting you and I look forward to seeing you and Caden soon! 

Mrs. Hart:  Thank you too.  We’ll call tomorrow.

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