Quality of Life Outcomes Reported by Patients and Significant Others Following Cochlear Implantation

Purpose This study tested the hypotheses that both patients receiving cochlear implants (CIs) and their significant others (SOs) would demonstrate improvements in perceived hearing handicap over time following cochlear implantation and that the SOs would demonstrate delayed patterns of perceived improvement compared to the patients who directly experienced the changes in hearing function provided by the CI. Method A study sample of 19 pairs of postlingually deafened adult candidates with CIs and their SOs answered questions about the patients' hearing handicap. Patient- and SO-reported scores were obtained preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months after CI activation. The study hypotheses were tested using linear mixed-effects models. Results Patients and SOs independently reported improvements on self-reported hearing handicap measures at 1, 3, and 6 months post CI activation compared to preoperatively. Correlations between patient- and SO-reported scores were significant at all intervals; however, the asynchrony between pairs at 1 month postactivation was greater in magnitude compared to the other intervals. Conclusions Findings support the hypotheses of the study. Results should inform future clinical practice and research to guide the expectations of patients and their SOs as they adjust to hearing with a CI and experience various benefits and challenges over time.