[Demand for remote care in cochlear implant aftercare]

Remote care (RC) opens up new possibilities in cochlea implant (CI) aftercare, such as real-time remote fittings, implant and speech processor checks, and hearing checks using smartphone apps. These applications offer CI recipients and clinics numerous options, but successful implementation in everyday life depends on various factors. To date, there have been few studies that have investigated the demand of RC on the part of CI recipients.

The study analyses the demand for RC in CI aftercare from the perspective of CI recipients, regardless of the manufacturer. It demonstrates which aspects are important to the participants in CI aftercare, which arguments they cite for or against the use of RC, and which RC functions they would like to use.

The paper is based on a survey conducted at Hörzentrum Hagen Südwestfalen in December 2024 using a self-developed questionnaire. A total of 86 answers were evaluated.

A total of 64.3% of respondents answered yes or rather yes to the question of whether they would use RC. In all, 82.6% fulfill the basic requirement for RC through regular smartphone use. The lack of personal contact is the strongest argument against the use of RC. However, the majority of respondents see an advantage in saving time.

Overall, the majority of respondents showed an interest in RC. Nevertheless, personal contact with specialized staff is still considered important. Interest in RC also decreases significantly with increasing age (p < 0.05). In the future, RC will be an innovative addition to conventional CI aftercare with on-site appointments, which will be in demand.