Long-term outcome of cochlear implantation on speech perception and quality of life

Abstract

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) is currently a well-established method for restoring hearing to people with profound hearing loss (Blamey and Artieres, Audiol Neurotol 18:36-47, 2013; Holden and Finley, Ear Hear 34:342-360, 2013). Cochlear implantation not only affects hearing abilities, speech perception, and production, but also has an outstanding impact on the social life, activities, and self-esteem of each patient. The Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) and Parents’ Views and Experiences with pediatric Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (PVECIQ) have been developed to assess the quality of life in such patients (Damen and Beynon, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 136:597-604, 2007; Hirschfelder and Gräbel, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 138:357-362, 2008). The long-term outcome of cochlear implantation (CI) in Egypt and its influence on patients’ lives have not been investigated. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term effect of CI on speech perception and to assess the quality of life (QoL) and get insight about major problems encountered by these patients over years. Methods: Forty adults and children CI users of least 5 years of CI experience were subjected to full history taking and CI outcome measures: CI questionnaires, aided sound field pure tone audiometry, and speech perception tests. Results: Through QoL questionnaires, the highest scores were obtained in the physical functioning domain than in the psychological and social domains in adults, while for children, the highest scores were obtained in the general domain than in the communication and self-reliance domains. No statistically significant correlation was found between QOL questionnaires and speech tests. Conclusion: Audiological evaluation including speech perception tests is not enough to reflect the true performance of CI subjects in everyday listening situations. The Arabic versions of QoL questionnaires were complementary to other outcome CI measures. Long-term evaluation for CI users is crucial.