Abstract
This research sought to investigate the phenomenon of learners with cochlear implants and their academic challenges in mainstream schools. Despite the advanced technology, many learners with cochlear implants face academic and social challenges at school. Most existing studies in South Africa focus on hearing-impaired learners rather than learners who wear cochlear implants. The study was motivated by the desire to explore their experiences. Research was conducted using a qualitative approach and design, an interpretive paradigm and the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis as the theoretical framework to reflect the perspectives of the cochlear implant recipients. Purposive sampling was used to select the six former learners who were recipients of cochlear implants. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data, which were analysed using Thematic Content Analysis. Five themes emerged from the analysis. The results of the study indicated that despite being able to hear and speak at a standard level generally, the participants encountered academic and social challenges in their mainstream schools. Various factors contribute to these challenges. The findings revealed that many educators in South Africa are unaware of most of these challenges. Specific training is required to raise awareness and skills of teachers to be able to accommodate these learners and to maximise their learning potential and achievements in the classroom. This study was successful in providing an in-depth description of the experiences of learners with cochlear implants in mainstream schools regarding their academic achievements. The results of this study cannot be generalised to the total population because the participants were limited in number and matriculated from mainstream schools eight years before. Further studies are required to explore the experiences of learners with cochlear implants who are currently learners in mainstream schools.
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)