Quality of Life after Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implantation

Objective Assess psychometric properties of the Comprehensive Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (CCIQ) as a tool for assessing changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after receiving a second cochlear implant (CI2). Study Design Prospective study. Setting Academic cochlear implant center. Subjects and Methods The CCIQ is a 29-item questionnaire assessing the physical and psychosocial benefits of a CI2 based on a 5-point Likert scale. The CCIQ was administered with the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire and the Short Form-12 Patient Questionnaire (SF-12) to patients with a CI2. Speech perception was tested with the consonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC) word test and AzBio test. Results Of 56 patients, 32 (57.1%) completed the instruments sent by mail. Of the 32 patients, 22 (68.8%) completed retest CCIQs 6 weeks later. CCIQ scores demonstrated significantly increased HRQoL in all domains. Internal consistency was very good overall (Cronbach's α = 0.90), with all subdomains exceeding an alpha value of 0.70. Test-retest reliability was good, with an overall intraclass correlation of 0.62. The CCIQ showed a moderate correlation with the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire and a low correlation with the SF-12. Average CNC and AZBio scores significantly improved by 31% ± 29% and 34% ± 33%, respectively. Audiometric data were not significantly correlated with the CCIQ. Conclusion The CCIQ shows (1) good reliability and evidence of construct validity, (2) a significant increase in HRQoL and significantly improved speech perception after CI2, and (3) greater sensitivity at detecting CI2 improvements to HRQoL. This promising measure is quick and easy to administer and provides subjective assessments of HRQoL specifically for those with a CI2.