[Cochlear implantation in deaf adults: effect on quality of life].
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to assess the effect of cochlear implant (CI) surgery on the mental quality of life in totally deaf adults using a generic type of questionnaire.


METHODS
The survey comprised 40 adult CI users who answered a standard and a retrospective version of the Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36). In the questionnaires, specific questions focused on four dimensions of the mental quality of life: vitality, social functioning, and emotional and mental health.


RESULTS
Due to qualitative and quantitative deficiencies, the emotional scale was omitted. A statistically significant improvement in the quality of life (p<05) was demonstrated in the three remaining subscales between pre-implant and post-implant scores. The greatest improvement was observed in the social functioning subscale. Pre-implant mean scores on all three subscales of the SF-36 were markedly below the mean scores of the equivalent subscales of the Danish population, whereas the post-implant mean scores in two out of three cases were above the mean scores of the Danish population.


CONCLUSIONS
CI was shown to have a statistically significant positive impact on the quality of life of adult deaf patients. This is in accordance with other published studies.
Wanscher
Jens Højberg
JH
Odense Universitetshospital, Øre-naese-halskirurgisk Afdeling F. dr.wanscher@dadlnet.dk
Faber
Christian Emil
CE
Grøntved
Aksel Møller
AM
D000328:Adult; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000523:psychology; D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires