COCHLEAR IMPLANTS AND TELEPHONE USE: PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT IN ADULT PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Using the telephone for everyday communication and social interaction allows the profoundly deaf patient who uses a cochlear implant to increase their independence and self-esteem. Being able to use the telephone presupposes the ability to perceive speech without the aid of lipreading or any other visual cue. Objective: This paper aims to evaluate speech perception performance through the telephone in adult users of cochlear implants. Study sample: 200 adult patients who had used a cochlear implant for a minimum of 1 year were evaluated with speech perception tests (words and sentences) in free-field and through the telephone. They were divided into two groups: group I, composed of individuals who used the telephone in everyday life, and group II, individuals who did not use it. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences in free-field tonal and vocal thresholds between both groups, with better performance from group I. When the speech perception test results in free-field and through the telephone were compared, for both groups the performance was better in free-field. Conclusions: The results showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups, with better performance from group I in all tests.