The creation of a website for teenagers: www.ci-4teenz.com

Abstract

There are an increasing number of teenagers who need information about cochlear implants, and about their peers who wear them, but most materials have been prepared either for adults or for small children. Teenagers therefore face a dearth of appropriate materials. They may also be geographically isolated, with little opportunity to meet other implant users their age. The ci-4teenz website was designed to tackle some of these issues.A key element of the website has been the involvement of teenagers with cochlear implants from Nottingham, Oxford, UCL and St Thomas' Cochlear Implant Programmes. The website has sections on how cochlear implants work, what they offer and the process of having one. Interview-style pages focus on different teenagers and reveal a range of benefit. ObjectivesThe initial goal was to prepare materials for teenagers and older children considering having a cochlear implant. A website seemed the most flexible and appropriate means of meeting these needs (Figure 1). 6