Abstract
PurposeAssessing cochlear implant (CI)-associated patient outcomes is a focus of implant research. Most studies have analyzed outcomes retrospectively with low patient numbers and few measurement time points. In addition, standardized CI-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments have not been used. To address this, we prospectively assessed HRQoL in patients before and after implantation.MethodsWe assessed HRQoL using the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), Hearing Participation Scale (HPS), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in 100 deaf or severely hearing-impaired patients (57 unilaterally deaf and 43 bilaterally deaf) before and 3, 6, and 12 months after cochlear implantation. We compared the results of unilaterally and bilaterally hearing-impaired patients and patients with or without a hearing aid. Principal component (PCA) and exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were also conducted.ResultsThe NCIQ measured improvements in all 6 domains after CI and correlated well with other QoL instruments. The PCA revealed that the NCIQ can be better explained by physical, physical advanced, and socio-psychological components. The APHAB score ameliorated over time, except for the background noise domain. The overall HPS score improved over time, but the hearing handicap subscore significantly decreased. Sociodemographic influences on the questionnaire scores were relatively weak.ConclusionAssessing HRQoL is essential for quantifying the patient outcome after CI. NCIQ scores in our patient cohort showed improved HRQoL in all domains and we recommend that the NCIQ be used as a first-line questionnaire for assessing QoL in hearing-impaired patients after CI.
Highlights
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition in adults and has serious health-related implications [1,2,3]
As generic quality of life (QoL) measures capture a wide range of aspects in the health status of a person [35], they focus on conditions that may not be influenced by cochlear implantation and, they tend to be less sensitive [18] to evaluate subjective outcomes and QoL changes induced by cochlear implantation
The study group of Ramakers et al reported on the positive effect of bilateral cochlear implantation on preoperative tinnitus complaints, which should be taken into account when counseling a patient [43]. These findings show that cochlear implantation is a successful treatment for improving QoL in deaf patients, and that both the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) seems to be good hearing instruments in adults with a unilaterally and bilaterally severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss
Summary
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition in adults and has serious health-related implications [1,2,3]. Fewer relationships, decreased social activity, and increased. Questionnaire (NCIQ) [21] or the Patient Quality of Life Form and Index Relative Questionnaire Form (IRQF) [22] to measure HRQoL after cochlear implantation [18]. The aim of the present study was to prospectively assess the HRQoL in unilaterally or bilaterally hearing-impaired patients with or without a hearing aid following cochlear implantation. To assess the effect of a CI on functional outcomes and well-being, we used the NCIQ, Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), and Hearing Participation Scale (HPS). Patient data were examined prospectively using an exploratory, longitudinal study design. Questionnaires were completed before implantation and 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation
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