Abstract
Most cochlear implant studies are focused on improvement of speech perception associated with implantation. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life changes in Spanish users. Thirty postlingually deaf patients fitted with a cochlear implant completed the Glasgow Benefit Inventory, a questionnaire dealing with communication abilities, and an open-ended questionnaire. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory revealed a positive effect in 93% of patients. The use of a cochlear implant significantly enhanced discrimination ability, telephone use and self-confidence. A high degree of satisfaction was achieved in all situations except with background noise. Ninety-six percent of patients would recommend the operation to a friend. A dramatic improvement in quality of life following cochlear implantation is revealed by a great majority of patients. The results cannot only be explained by enhancements to auditory perception.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bichey BG, Hoversland JM, Wynne MK, Miyamoto RT (2002) Changes in quality of life and the cost-utility associated with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. Otol Neurotol 23:323–327
Cohen SM, Labadie RF, Dietrich MS, Haynes DS (2004) Quality of life in hearing-impaired adults: The role of cochlear implants and hearing aids. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 131:413–422
Faber CE, Grontved AM (2000) Cochlear implantation and change in quality of life. Acta Otolaryngol [Suppl] 543:151–153
Francis HW, Chee N, Yeagle J, Cheng A, Niparko JK (2002) Impact of cochlear implants on the functional health status of older adults. Laryngoscope 112:1482–1488
Hinderink JB, Krabbe PFM, Van den Broek P (2000) Development and application of a health-related quality-of-life instrument for adults with cochlear implants: The Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 123:756–765
Kaplan DM, Shipp DB, Chen JM, Ng AH, Nedzelski JM (2003) Early-deafened adult cochlear implant users: assessment of outcomes. J Otolaryngol 32:245–249
Karinen PJ, Sorri MJ, Välimmaa TT, Huttunen KH, Löppönen HJ (2001) Cochlear implant patients and quality of life. Scand Audiol 30 [Suppl] 52:48–50
Kou BS, Shipp DB, Nedzelski JM (1994) Subjective benefits reported by adult Nucleus 22-channel cochlear implant users. J Otolaryngol 23:8–14
Krabbe PF, Hinderink JB, Van den Broek P (2000) The effect of cochlear implant use in postlingually deaf adults. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 16:864–873
Maillet CJ, Tyler RS, Jordan HN (1995) Change in the quality of life of adult cochlear implant patients. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol [Suppl] 165:31–48
Robinson K, Gatehouse S, Browning GG (1996 ) Measuring patient benefit from otorhinolaryngological surgery and therapy. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 105:415–422
Waltzman SB, Cohen NL, Shapiro WH (1993) The benefits of cochlear implantation in the geriatric population. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 108:329–333
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lassaletta, L., Castro, A., Bastarrica, M. et al. Quality of life in postlingually deaf patients following cochlear implantation. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 263, 267–270 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-005-0987-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-005-0987-1