Remote Programming of Cochlear Implants 2-Week Post-Activation

To identify patient factors and speech perception outcomes associated with selection of a remote programming cochlear implant (CI) strategy over traditional in-person programming 2-week post-activation.

Prospective cohort study.

Single high-volume, tertiary care adult CI center.

Adult patients with sensorineural hearing loss and poor speech recognition meeting criteria for cochlear implantation.

Patients with an advanced bionics CI were offered the choice of an in-person or remote programming session 2 weeks after CI activation. Patients who opted for an in-person follow-up represented the standard of care. Patients who opted for a virtual follow-up had the same programming that would be completed in-person and were asked to complete an additional questionnaire rating their perceived mobile device proficiencies. All patients were seen for a 1-month post-activation appointment and outcomes were compared between the 2 cohorts.

Forty-one adult CI recipients completed either an in-person (N=21) or remote programming (N=20) visit 2 weeks post-activation. Average age at implantation was significantly younger (67.35 y) for the remote programming cohort compared with those opting for an in-person visit (75.57 y). Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ-16) indicated a wide range of mobile device proficiencies among patients who opted for remote programming. No significant differences in changes in questionnaires or aided speech perception testing post-implantation were noted between the in-person and remote programming cohorts at the 1-month visit.

A remote programming visit is an acceptable option for all adult CI recipients, even those early in their CI journey or with limited mobile device proficiencies.