title: Quality of life in postlingually deaf patients following cochlear implantation.
abstract: Most cochlear implant studies are focused on improvement of speech perception associated with implantation. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life changes in Spanish users. Thirty postlingually deaf patients fitted with a cochlear implant completed the Glasgow Benefit Inventory, a questionnaire dealing with communication abilities, and an open-ended questionnaire. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory revealed a positive effect in 93% of patients. The use of a cochlear implant significantly enhanced discrimination ability, telephone use and self-confidence. A high degree of satisfaction was achieved in all situations except with background noise. Ninety-six percent of patients would recommend the operation to a friend. A dramatic improvement in quality of life following cochlear implantation is revealed by a great majority of patients. The results cannot only be explained by enhancements to auditory perception.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. luikilassa@yahoo.com
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Lassaletta
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Castro
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Bastarrica
authors: Maria José
authors: MJ
authors: de Sarriá
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Gavilán
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000523:psychology*; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires