title: Cochlear implants and quality of life: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate changes in quality of life, anxiety, and depression after cochlear implantation in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven postlingually deafened adults who had received a MED-EL Combi 40+ implant were investigated. One generic Health-Related Quality of Life measure, the SF-36, two disease-specific measures, the Patient Quality of Life Form (PQLF) and the Index Relative Questionnaire Form (IRQF) completed by a near relative to the patient, in addition to a domain specific measure, the Hopkins Symptom Check List 25 items (HSCL-25), were used in a prospective study. The subjects were investigated before surgery and 12 to 15 months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The scores were significantly better after surgery in four of six categories of the PQLF. In the IRQF, where a family member of the cochlear implant recipient was studied, the scores were significantly better in four of five categories. There was a significant improvement in the HSCL-25 scores after surgery. In the SF-36, only one of eight scales showed significant improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cochlear implants were associated with statistically significant improvement in quality of life in postlingually deafened adults. The improvements were largest in the categories concerning communication, feelings of being a burden, isolation, and relations to friends and family. The implants also improved the relatives' daily lives. There was a statistically significant reduction in degree of depression and anxiety. Reduction in anxiety and depression was associated with gain in quality of life.
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo, ORL-Department, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Birger
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mo
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindbaek
authors.forename: Sten
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000523:psychology*; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires