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Updated: Jul 16, 2025
06:04
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
417
Discrepancies Between Expected and Actual Cochlear Implant-Related Functional Outcomes
Joshua E Fabie1, Christian M Shannon, Kara Schvartz-Leyzac
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
Summary
Many cochlear implant (CI) users have expectations that exceed their actual post-implantation functional abilities, particularly in communication and listening effort. Personalized counseling can help align patient expectations with CI outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Realistic patient expectations are crucial for cochlear implant (CI) candidacy.
- Understanding the pre-implantation expectations versus post-implantation outcomes is vital for patient satisfaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pre-implantation expectations of potential CI users using the CIQOL-Expectations instrument.
- To quantify the degree to which post-implantation outcomes meet pre-implantation expectations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 60 adult CI patients at a tertiary medical center.
- Utilized the CIQOL-Expectations instrument for pre-CI assessment.
- Collected pre- and post-CI (3, 6, 12 months) speech perception scores and CIQOL-35 Profile scores.
Main Results:
- Mean pre-CI expectations surpassed 12-month post-CI scores in global, communication, environment, and listening effort domains.
- The largest discrepancies were observed in communication and listening effort, with actual improvements significantly lower than expected.
- 42% of patients had expectations exceeding outcomes, 49% met expectations, and only 10% exceeded expectations.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of CI users experience functional abilities falling short of their pre-implantation expectations.
- Discrepancies are most pronounced in communication and listening effort domains.
- Findings suggest a need for personalized counseling to manage expectations and improve shared decision-making in CI care.
