Beyond hearing
the impact of Cochlear implantation on the quality of life of users and their communication partners after 1 year
Nikki Philpott (Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour)
Hugo G.B. Nijmeijer (Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour)
Birgit Philips (Cochlear Ltd.)
Marre W. Kaandorp (Amsterdam Public Health)
Johan H.M. Frijns (Universiteit Leiden, TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Leiden University Medical Center)
Berber M. Mol (Leiden University Medical Center)
Peter Paul B.M. Boermans (Leiden University Medical Center)
Erwin L.J. George (Maastricht University Medical Center)
Ralf A. Boerboom ( University Medical Centre Utrecht)
Emmanuel A.M. Mylanus (Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center)
Wendy J. Huinck (Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour)
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Abstract
Objective: To assess the impact of cochlear implantation (CI) and speech perception outcomes on the quality of life (QoL) of adult CI users and their communication partners (CP) one-year post-implantation. Design: This research is part of a prospective multicenter study in The Netherlands, called SMILE (Societal Merit of Intervention for hearing Loss Evaluation). Study sample: Eighty adult CI users completed speech perception testing and the Nijmegen Cochear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ). Fifty-four CPs completed the Hearing Impairment Impact–Significant Other Profile (HII-SOP). Results: CI resulted in a large improvement in the QoL of both users and CPs. Despite this, some users still reported difficulties in the NCIQ sub-domains Social Interactions, Activity Limitations and Self-esteem. Similarly, some CPs still reported moderate and severe third-party disability on the HII-SOP. Additionally, the correlation between speech perception results and self-reported QoL was weak to negligible for both groups. Conclusions: Speech perception in quiet is not an accurate measure of real-life success with a CI. A subset of CI users and CPs still experience substantial QoL challenges regardless of speech perception performance. To improve counselling and intervention, QoL measures should be a standard part of the CI care pathway for CI users and their CPs.
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