5-Year Observation Period of Quality of Life After Cochlear Implantation. Issue 3 (18th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weichbold, Viktor; Zelger, Philipp; Galvan, Oliver; Muigg, Franz
• Is Part Of: Otology & neurotology. Volume 44:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: e155
• Page End: e159
• Publication Date: 2023-03-18
• Subjects: Cochlear implant -- 5-year observation -- Quality of life; Otology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Skull base -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.8005
• DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003809
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1531-7129

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Only few studies assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cochlear implant (CI) patients for a period of more than 2 years. Some of these studies indicated that HRQoL might decrease after that period. The goal of our study was to see whether HRQoL indeed decreases or remains stable beyond 2 years after implant activation. Methods: Twenty-five adults (11 women, 14 men; mean age at implantation: 60 ± 19 yr) with a unilateral CI for profound hearing loss were administered two questionnaires: the Nimjegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire and the Health Utility Index 3 (HUI 3). The Nimjegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire total score and the HUI single-attribute utility score of Hearing are measures of hearing-specific HRQoL, whereas the HUI multiattribute utility score is a measure of generic HRQoL. The questionnaires were administered before cochlear implantation and 1, 2, and 5 years after implant activation. Results: Hearing-specific HRQoL was significantly improved at 1 year after implant activation and did not significantly change thereafter. Generic HRQoL also showed significant improvement at 1 year after implant activation, but deteriorated to a clinically relevant degree thereafter. Conclusions: The significant improvement of hearing-specific HRQoL obtained from cochlear implantation was fully maintained for up to 5 years after implantation. Generic HRQoL of our CI patients, however, fluctuated over time. The decrease of generic HRQoL is supposed to reflect general age-associated health declines.