Aspectos bioéticos e médico-legais do implante coclear em crianças

Abstract

Cochl ear implants are the best treatment for congenital profound deafness. Pediatric candidates to implantation are seen as vulnerable citizens, and the decision of implanting cochlear devices is ultimately in the hands of their parents/guardians. The Brazilian Penal Code dictates that deaf people may enjoy diminished criminal capacity. Many are the bioethical controversies around cochlear implants, as representatives from the deaf community have seen in them a means of decimating their culture and intrinsic values.Objective: This paper aims to discuss, in bioethical terms, the validity of implanting cochlear hearing aids in children by analyzing their vulnerability and the social/cultural implications of the procedure itself, aside from looking into the medical/legal aspects connected to their criminal capacity. Materials and Methods:The topic was searched on databases Medline and Lilacs; ethical analysis was done based on principialist bioethics. Results:Cochlear implants are the best therapeutic option for people with profound deafness and are morally justified. The level of criminal capacity attributed to deaf people requires careful analysis of the subject's degree of understanding and determination when carrying out the acts for which he/she has been charged. Conclusion:Cochlear implants are morally valid. Implantations must be analyzed on an each case basis. ENT physicians bear the ethical responsibility for indicating cochlear implants and must properly inform the child's parents/guardians and get their written consent before performing the procedure. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2012;78(3):70-9. ORIGINAL ARTICLE BJORL

The Influence of Sound Deprivation on Audiologic Outcomes after Cochlear Implantation

“…It was already expected due to different technologies and applicability of the electronic device, as shown in the literature. The CI is the best option for severe to profound deafness, with great effectiveness for oral language and speech perception development, as demonstrated by many studies [23] There was no significant difference among different brands of CI, between groups A and B, as well there was no difference regarding the etiology of hearing loss, what concurs with Lazard et al who also did not observe differences regarding auditory outcomes among the different brands of CI, but found differences regarding the etiology of hearing loss [7].…”

Legal Medicine and Otorhinolaryngology: Related Sciences

“…In general, it tends to be the body region most frequently affected in otorhinolaryngological trauma (around 70% of the cases) because of social violence and, mainly, due to car accidents. 8 Therefore, the Forensic Medicine specialist must seek the best scientific evidence available to justify their conclusion under Criminal Law.…”

“…In general, it tends to be the body region most frequently affected in otorhinolaryngological trauma (around 70% of the cases) because of social violence and, mainly, due to car accidents. 8 …”

Ethical Challenges Posed by Neurotechnology in Treating Disability

“…Cochlear implants are the best option available today to rehabilitate deaf children (Lester et al, 2011). However, listening is not a passive endeavor for children newly implanted with electrodes, and keeping up with the hearing world can be tiring [3].…”