Implant outcomes: towards a mixed methodology for evaluating the efficacy of adult cochlear implant programmes

Studies concerned with the efficacy of cochlear implants have traditionally focused on measuring enhancements in speech perception associated with implantation. This paper reports the findings of a study concerned with qualitative and quantitative measures of psychosocial benefit associated with the adult cochlear implant programme. Cochlear implants enhanced implantees' interpersonal communication skills and social confidence, and were associated with a reduction in the user's social anxiety. Broader socioeconomic gains were not achieved by implantees, mainly because of an absence of adequate employment and community education programmes associated with implant programmes.